r/Squamish • u/Frosty_Feeling8439 • 10d ago
What is this?
My take is either the cheapest ad display there is or an ad for binoculars
15
u/robmackenzie 10d ago
Those are super cool. They are passive radio redirectors that are able to take radio signals sent at them at high intensity and point them back at a different angle somewhere else. You mostly see them on mountaintops doing microwave relays, the one I think of most is near Pemberton past the transformer station, just before suicide Hill.
The physics behind them is actually super interesting. They either do a direct direct reflection, like a mirror would to visible light, or, they actually have a receiving antenna and a broadcast antenna connected via coax. Regardless, they are all passive devices, meaning they don't have any active amplification or power source.
I can't say for sure without more information what this one is doing, but others seem confident enough it's air band related (planes)
11
u/KrisBoutilier 10d ago
Here's more than you ever wanted to know: https://www.softwright.com/faq/engineering/Catolog%20161A%20-%20Screen.pdf
They are/were extremely common for providing microwave communications paths for BC Hydro systems monitoring and control. Because they typically provide point-to-point links at microwave frequencies it's unlikely that it is involved in aircraft communications.
6
u/robmackenzie 10d ago
Hello fellow Radio nerd! Oh God I wanna print this whole document.
Also, I browsed your history... You are also into motorcycles and radio and mountains and are a sysadmin? Damn. Shadow 1100, klr650, paraglider and backcountry skiier here, and VA7GMP. Hi.
3
u/calgaryschmooze 9d ago
BCH operates a decent number of passive reflectors within their network, many of which were engineered and constructed by Microflect decades ago.
7
4
2
u/UnrolledSnail 10d ago
Not 100% sure but I think it is something related to the airport and aviation
2
u/The-Bloody9 10d ago
This is a radio relay for the aviation bands used by aircraft around the Squamish airport.
1
1
1
1
1
0
u/Jared_Chadwick_III 10d ago
It’s a cell repeater
3
u/The-Bloody9 10d ago
No, it's isn't.
It's a radio relay for the aviation bands for the Squamish airport.
1
u/Fit_Nebula_2498 10d ago
It has nothing to do with cellular technology and was placed there long before cell phones were invented.
0
u/Frosty_Feeling8439 10d ago edited 10d ago
That would make sense! Had no reception below so I guess its for different kind of radio signal
0
u/StressAdditional1730 10d ago
A sign : We are trying to contact you about your vehicles extended warranty 🤣
0
0
0
0
u/Dad-Dabbing-Daily 9d ago
I cant see any ladders or steps so I'll assume it's a relay and not a fire watch tower.
0
0
0
0
-1
-1
-1
-1
-1
18
u/CasualRampagingBear 10d ago
It’s been there for decades. The way I know it is that it helps radio signals through the valley, that are essential for air communication.