Rulhof ZS4RM recently had the opportunity to visit Naval Hill in Bloemfontein.
Naval Hill is an odd name for a hill in the center of South Africa without a dockyard or sea in sight. It got it’s name from the two Naval Guns that were on the hill by the British during the Anglo-Boer war.
Contrary to popular belief, the two naval guns are no longer on Naval Hill. The Naval Brigade took the canons with them after the Anglo-Boer war ended. The only visible evidence of Naval Hill’s war history is a White Horse on the eastern hillside. The White Horse was an important landmark for soldiers during the war.
Lets look at a few attractions that you can find on Naval Hill in Bloemfontein:
1. The Franklin Game Reserve
2. Game drives or walks
3. Naval Hill Park Run and Jogging
4. Nelson Mandela Statue
5. Lookout Point
6. Naval Hill Planetarium
To the man in the street Naval Hill is worthwhile visiting to view the above attractions BUT to the Amateur Radio Operator Naval Hill is a treasure trove where you will find a microwave telecommunications tower and equipment not seen every day. A TV and radio broadcast tower can also be seen next to each other on Naval Hill. The broadcast tower was erected in 1963. You will also find the 145.600 Mhz Amateur Radio Repeater and Antenna on Naval Hill. This repeater provides good coverage over a large area in the Bloemfontein area.
Rulhof ZS4RM, ZS4BHF and ZS4ATZ recently visited the site. Herewith images and videos from Naval Hill in Bloemfontein.
Images: (Click on images for larger view.)
I would like to thank ZS4BHF, ZS4ATZ and ZS4RM for the opportunity to have a closer look at the 145.600 Mhz Bloemfontein Amateur Radio Repeater but also to view the equipment in the SENTECH Commercial FM Radio Signal Distribution Centre. I am sure that many radio amateurs has never visited nor seen such a centre in operation. A big thank you to Rulhof ZS4RM who provided the videos and still images to be published on the ZS Link Network Blog. Highly appreciated!!
