Sydney Terminal Area Radar
 

This photo (pinched from Ray P here) is missing the great big red dish that used to sit on top of that concrete pole.

I'm assuming the giant golf ball thing next to it has something to do with its absence... anyone?

Yes, I think they might be replacing it but not completely sure. The guys in the TCU said that there is a new radar that was setup somewhere out near bankstown which I guess is acting as the TAR atm. It also was having some problems interigating transponders when my mate was visiting the TCU..Maybe someone can shed some light on the absence of the original TAR at Sydney?

I'm amazed it's taken so long for this to be posted here.;)

Yep, they're replacing the old TAR with a covered new TAR. The golf ball should be either up now, or going up early this week, depending on the winds. The new TAR will still look pretty much like the old one, and under the golf ball it will still spin around.
I believe there may still be some months before the new TAR is operational even after the golf ball is installed.

So I was the first to notice and I'm not even in Sydney anymore???

That could also explain a TAR-like object that was spinning merrily away on a hill near what used to be Hoxton Park airport as I drove down the M7 a few months ago.

I think Airservices is doing a progressive upgrade of radars around the country; it's probably all part of that.

Our TAR at the moment is located at Cecil Park.

Golf Ball should be teed up next week.

Regards.

Saw them lifting it up on Friday, in horrid winds, and I thought it was an installation of a 'Doppler' for BOM!!!

The golf ball has now been teed up. If I'm not too tired I'll post some pics when I get home tonight.

Nigel beat me to the joke !!!

Yes the golf ball is all teed up, it actually looks a bit Odd.

Anywho, here is a pic i took from work, it is as close as i could get.

The lift went quite smooth by all accounts, and it really didn't take that long from initial lift to being secured in place.

Shots of the lift today.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR1.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR2.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR3.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR4.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR5.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR6.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR7.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/TAR8.jpg

that looks so much like a giant golfball... or a vanilla icecream cone? :D