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A number of the images in this superb collection of NDBs were taken by Brian Keyte during a visit to Scotland in 2009, and feature both the old and new NDBs at Oban (North Connel) Airport. Oban is located on the west coast of Scotland and the airport is operated by the Argyll & Bute Council. According to their 'unofficial' web page the details of the airport are as follows: Airfield Co-ordinates N5627.67 W00524.10, Runway 20ft AMSL, bearing 01/19, Asphalt 1100 metres.
Originally, the NDB had the callsign 'CNL' and was heard on 404.0 kHz from time to time, but eventually this was replaced by a newer NDB with the callsign 'OBN'. According to an old 2004 copy of the 'European NDB Handbook' the 'CNL' beacon was located to the east of the runway at: N56 27 48 W005 23 42, whilst the new 'OBN' beacon is listed in the December 2008 edition of 'AERAD' as being located at: N56 27.6 W005 24.1. As Brian noted during his visit, the old 'CNL' NDB is still there yet and this can be seen in one of his pictures, and sporting a small vertical whip at the top of its lattice mast. The new NDB is one of the 'Monopole' types which seem to be favoured by many of the CAA Airfields in the UK. The airfield doesn't operate 24 hours a day, so the beacon may only be switched on when required, which makes it a more difficult catch. Airport hours are listed as being 0730 to 1700 in Summer, and 0830 to 1630 in Winter (local time), but in spite of these mainly daytime hours, many enthusiasts have heard this beacon during the hours of darkness, so it's always worth keeping a ear open for it on 404.0 kHz.
The third image shows the NDB at St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly off the south western part of England, and this operates with the callsign 'STM' on 321.0 kHz, and is located at: N4954.9 W00617.5 It has a listed range of 15nm, and operating hours of 0630 to 1800 in Summer, and 0830 to 1730 in Winter. This picture was taken by John, a friend of Brian's, and he has kindly allowed us to display it here, and I'm very grateful to him for sharing it with us. John speculates that the strange looking rusty contraption may be an old rig used for practising putting out fires in helicopters, which sounds like a good theory, but if anyone out there knows better then do please let us know!
The fourth batch of images show the Epsom (EPM) NDB in Surry, England, and according to AERAD, this is a 'Waypoint' beacon and the co-ordinates given for this one are: N5119.2 W00022.3; and it is operational 24/7 on 316.0 kHz.
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