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TheJulian
    
location:
Just south of that one place.
Gender: Male
Save Therrin!
 |  |  |  | McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
< on 11/24/2009 12:05 PM >
|  | | | Hey all,
I was doing some recon in my area the other day and I came to this site.
It has a sign on the outside that says "United States Air Force Lincoln receiver site Welcome to HF Country"
Now, I know that this was (is?) part of the HF-GCS system, but my question really lies in the status of operation of this facility.. I walked around the entrance of this facility, and it appears from the surface level to be completely unused. I was admiring the antennas, and some have broken arrays on them etc, and generally look to be in a state of disrepair.
After doing some research, this facility appears on the list of current GCS sites... However, the source was Wikipedia, therefore all credibility is totally questionable. The article also states that these sites are monitored remotely from Andrews AFB.
My question to you all: Does anybody have more info regarding the current status of this facility, and also what kinds of arrays that they have there? I noticed that near the street, there is a nice Rhombic array and further back there are these tall antennas with a triangle style T-bar on them with wires strung between the supports.
Any info you all can provide would be appreciated!
Thanks,
TheJulian
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Sounds fun! Let's go! |
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/-/ooligan
   
location:
Las Vegas area
Gender: Male
When in danger, when in doubt, RUN IN CIRCLES, SCREAM AND SHOUT!
| | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 1 on 11/24/2009 11:26 PM >
| | | | Site dates back to the early 1950s (Globecom), & used to have personnel there 24-7 (dormitory rooms on the 2nd floor), but has been unmanned since the late 1990s or early 2000s. It was an annex of McClellan AFB. The HF transmit annex was out near Davis but it's been replaced by the 'SCOPE COMMAND' facility aboard the Naval Radio Station (Transmit) site in Dixon.
It is still an operational site -- now an annex of the 9th Communications Squadron at Beale AFB, visited routinely by their maintenance/technician personnel.
Antennas include Rhombics, some active antennas around the back, and the funky looking ones you're referring to are model LPH-89s.
Again, though it doesn't much look like it, the site is an active USAF installation.
/-/ooligan
There are no stupid questions, just stupid people. |
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cr400
location:
Los Angeles, CA
Gender: Male
| | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 2 on 11/25/2009 2:53 AM >
| | | | Well there is your answer, our resident expert in Military fact, lore and legend has spoken. For real Hoolie is the man.
you drew him right out of his concealment.
You can see a million miles tonite, but you can't get very far.
Honorary member of UER lifetime acheivement award winning, 2Xplorations and Guide Services, Texas. |
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Swiffer
location:
Smithfield, VA
High Priest, First National Church of Bacon
| | | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 3 on 11/25/2009 6:56 AM >
| | | | Beale AFB you say? That sounds very interesting. Jay, since this site is controlled by BAB, you and I may have something. PM me about it.
Thanks for the initial post OP, and my gratitude extends to you /-/oolie.
We avoid risks in life so we can make it safely to death.
Don't fuck with Uncle Bob when he's been drinking.
BUTTHURT! BUTTHURT EVERYWHERE! |
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TheJulian
location:
Just south of that one place.
Gender: Male
Save Therrin!
| | | | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 4 on 11/25/2009 8:38 AM >
| | | | Posted by /-/ooligan
Site dates back to the early 1950s (Globecom), & used to have personnel there 24-7 (dormitory rooms on the 2nd floor), but has been unmanned since the late 1990s or early 2000s. It was an annex of McClellan AFB. The HF transmit annex was out near Davis but it's been replaced by the 'SCOPE COMMAND' facility aboard the Naval Radio Station (Transmit) site in Dixon.
It is still an operational site -- now an annex of the 9th Communications Squadron at Beale AFB, visited routinely by their maintenance/technician personnel.
Antennas include Rhombics, some active antennas around the back, and the funky looking ones you're referring to are model LPH-89s.
Again, though it doesn't much look like it, the site is an active USAF installation.
/-/ooligan
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Dude..... /-/ooligan.... You are the best.
I never expected to get that much information! Thank you!
BTW /-/ooligan,
I have some more pictures that I have questions regarding what the hell this thing is.. It's a building, that is on the grounds of McClellan AFB (decommissioned, now McClellan Park) it's got a big yellow crane on top, A roll up door on the second level, and a "winchester mystery house" door on the bottom level without a landing..
Any ideas anyone??
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[last edit 11/25/2009 8:39 AM by TheJulian - edited 1 times]
Sounds fun! Let's go! |
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RailGuy88
This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
location:
Where you're not...
Gender: Male
| | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 5 on 11/26/2009 1:33 AM >
| | | | Posted by TheJulian
I have some more pictures that I have questions regarding what the hell this thing is.. It's a building, that is on the grounds of McClellan AFB (decommissioned, now McClellan Park) it's got a big yellow crane on top, A roll up door on the second level, and a "winchester mystery house" door on the bottom level without a landing..
Any ideas anyone??
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I'll take a stab and say that this was an old radome building. It once housed a radar on the top and may have been covered with a white cloth-like structure.
Here are some similar structures that this one would've looked like:
Going where others can't... |
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pmoradi2002
location:
Irvine, CA
Gender: Male
| | | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 6 on 11/27/2009 4:23 AM >
| | | | Barbed wire, fences, no trespassing signs, US Government property= I NEED TO BE THERE!
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/-/ooligan
location:
Las Vegas area
Gender: Male
When in danger, when in doubt, RUN IN CIRCLES, SCREAM AND SHOUT!
| | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 7 on 11/27/2009 4:43 AM >
| | | | Posted by pmoradi2002
Barbed wire, fences, no trespassing signs, US Government property= I NEED TO BE THERE!
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RUN --Don't walk-- to your nearest Armed Forces recruiter! 
There are no stupid questions, just stupid people. |
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/-/ooligan
location:
Las Vegas area
Gender: Male
When in danger, when in doubt, RUN IN CIRCLES, SCREAM AND SHOUT!
| | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 8 on 11/27/2009 5:32 AM >
| | | | Posted by TheJulian
I never expected to get that much information! Thank you!
BTW /-/ooligan,
I have some more pictures that I have questions regarding what the hell this thing is.. It's a building, that is on the grounds of McClellan AFB (decommissioned, now McClellan Park)
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You're welcome! I could drone on a lot about that site & the other similar sites that do or did exist, as military strategic command, control, communications & intelligence facilities & systems is my prime interest. I first visited that Lincoln HF Receiver Annex back in 1990, along with it's sister site (the now defunct HF Transmitter Annex) that's a few miles SE of Davis, and have visited most of the other similar sites around the country. Due to improved technology as well as budget cuts, the sites are now all remotely operated by Andrews AFB in Maryland.
If you want to learn more about the type of stuff that site was involved with, try Google searches on: GLOBECOM, GIANT TALK, MYSTIC STAR, GHFS/Global High Frequency System, SCOPE SIGNAL, HFGCS/High Frequency Global Communication System, and SCOPE COMMAND.
For the heck of it, I'll include some of my recent photos of the site. I should dog up & scan my 1990 era photos, as the place looked a lot different when people lived & worked there 24/7.
And Railguy gave a great answer about the tower you saw at McClellan.
There are no stupid questions, just stupid people. |
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TheJulian
location:
Just south of that one place.
Gender: Male
Save Therrin!
| | | | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 9 on 11/28/2009 2:06 PM >
| | | | Great pics I was out there about 2 +/- weeks ago, and some of the antennas have broken wires, etc, but I did see a few antennas around back (but not close enough to make any determination of operational status) The building is one heck of a turd. It amazes me that they still use it! but then again, when you have pennies to keep programs running, you do what you can.
I was out at the site that is south of davis, maybe a year ago, and the buildings were still there, but all the antennas were gone..
I've also been out to the old KMI high seas building fairly recently, and the old Dixon VOA, and I plan to go back and explore those because they are fairly secluded, however, the VOA is right next door to the Naval Radio Transmitter Facility (NRTF) 'SCOPE COMMAND' as you referred to earlier, but from my recon, it appears to have fairly light staffing, and you probably wouldn't be bothered by them.. Who knows for sure though right?!
I really would have liked to have seen the Sacramento Valley Radio Transmitter Station (West Coast Relay and Transmitter Station) before it was turned into Deganawidah-Quetzalcoatl University... But alas, I am too young to have seen those days.
Are there any sites around here that you would recommend? I seem to have this love for all things radio... I was fortunate enough to get out to Hawes before it was destroyed, and it was quite a nice little explore.
Sounds fun! Let's go! |
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Agent Skelly
  
Web Sheriff
location:
Oregon Territory
Gender: Male
Prenez De L'Avance Avec Chrysler!
| |  | | | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 10 on 11/29/2009 1:50 AM >
| | | | If you guys want to see Over the Horizon Radar....look at Christmas Valley, Oregon.
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/-/ooligan
location:
Las Vegas area
Gender: Male
When in danger, when in doubt, RUN IN CIRCLES, SCREAM AND SHOUT!
| | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 11 on 11/29/2009 3:24 AM >
| | | | Posted by TheJulian
Great pics I was out there about 2 +/- weeks ago, and some of the antennas have broken wires, etc, but I did see a few antennas around back (but not close enough to make any determination of operational status) The building is one heck of a turd. It amazes me that they still use it! but then again, when you have pennies to keep programs running, you do what you can.
I was out at the site that is south of davis, maybe a year ago, and the buildings were still there, but all the antennas were gone..
I've also been out to the old KMI high seas building fairly recently, and the old Dixon VOA, and I plan to go back and explore those because they are fairly secluded, however, the VOA is right next door to the Naval Radio Transmitter Facility (NRTF) 'SCOPE COMMAND' as you referred to earlier, but from my recon, it appears to have fairly light staffing, and you probably wouldn't be bothered by them.. Who knows for sure though right?!
I really would have liked to have seen the Sacramento Valley Radio Transmitter Station (West Coast Relay and Transmitter Station) before it was turned into Deganawidah-Quetzalcoatl University... But alas, I am too young to have seen those days.
Are there any sites around here that you would recommend? I seem to have this love for all things radio... I was fortunate enough to get out to Hawes before it was destroyed, and it was quite a nice little explore.
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Much of the building at the Lincoln HF receive site is unused, so I guess other than making sure the roof above the equipment room doesn't leak, maintaining the structures is a low-priority. I doubt that the 9th CS at Beale even has the personnel to do much maintenance work on the antennas or their supports. Probably have to hire a civilian firm or bring in an ANG Electronic Installation Squadron from somewhere to do that.
They removed the antennas from the old USAF transmit site back around 2001, and Corps of Engineers contractors are finishing up work on remediating the contaminated soil, but the building itself is unused & will probably sit abandoned until the DOD gets the funds to remove it & then the land will probably become endangered species wetlands (as is the land around the site).
KMI Dixon has been shut down for years too & looks fascinating. I expect most of the transmitters to still be inside.
Former VOA Dixon Relay Station had been mothballed since the late 1980s. When I first visited it in '90 or '91 I spoke with a caretaker there that kept the equipment dusted off but he doubted it would ever be reactivated. Visited it again around 2003 & spoke with the next caretaker, who lived in the grounds with his wife & about 30 cats. The site at that point was owned by Globe Wireless as a transmit site for their HF email service (mostly used by small ships) and was also being used by Aeronautical Radio, Inc (now just known as Arinc) as a transmit site used to relay air traffic control info to/from aircraft crossing the Pacific Ocean.
Lots of interesting history on the web if you do a Google search on "Dixon Relay Station"
The Navy radio LF & HF radio transmit facility there dates back to the 1940s, along with a sister transmit site on Mare island. Those of you who have explored Skaggs Island might be interested in knowing that it was originally built as the HF receive site for Naval Communications Station San Francisco, with Dixon & Mare island being the transmit sites. Later on, Skaggs evolved into the signals intelligence & training station. Anyway, the Navy transmit site there at Dixon is a "GOCO' facility -- government-owned, contractor operated. They transmit on one LF channel & about 10 HF channels 24/7, mostly just KG-84 ciphered Fleet Broadcasts for USN & NATO ships in the Pacific. It's a back-up for SATCOM capability & the contractors that operate the place just keep the transmitters on the air & antennas in good shape -- the data the site transmits is fed to the station remotely from Naval Computer & Telecommunications Station San Diego (USN San Diego used to have their own major HF site at Chollas Heights). USAF moved their HF transmit operation there from the Davis facility in the early 2000s, though again, those transmitters are remotely controlled from Andrews AFB & they still call it the "McClellan" site on the air. Security does seem pretty lax -- lots of warning signs on a gate that is often left open, but because there are probably just a few technicians assigned there, anyone poking around is probably going to stand out, if observed.
That housing complex next door that is used to house 'migrant workers' used to be the family housing annex for Navy personnel that were once assigned to the site & you can drive around inside it.
As for the old US Army Strategic Communications Command West Coast Relay Station also near Davis, I too wish I'd seen what it looked like when it was operational, but I did get inside all the buildings a few years ago. Army built the place in the early 1950s. It was one of three high-power HF radio stations in the continental USA that the Army had & was used by HQ 6th Army (Presidio of SF) & HQ Army. Other two were in KS (near Fort Leavenworth) & the Washington DC area. I've been to all the sites, & they're all long-gone. By the late 1960s it wasn't really a tremendously important facility (satellites & wireline data networks could be used for point-to-point services & smaller HF stations in-theater could be used for tactical HF comms). At about the same time the American Indian Movement took over Alcatraz island & "re-claimed" it as Native American land, Native Americans in the Davis area did the same thing to the Davis HF site. Thankfully, because it had already been put into a caretaker status & apparently didn't have any classified material that'd need to be left behind, the AIM freedom-fighters/terrorists weren't mowed down by Military Police. Army/DOD let them occupy the land, apparently there was some sort of agreement that the Army could remove some sensitive/valuable electronics, and eventually the land was leased to a Native American tribe with the understanding it had to be used for educational purposes -- hence DQ University. As of 2003 when I spoke with the president of DQU (a very very nice guy who unlocked all the doors for me), they still didn't own the property, and were fighting with the USG to get the ownership rights. Alas though, DQU lost their accreditation a couple years ago due to gross mismanagement, and was forced to close down. The buildings were well-maintained by DQU, but over the decades they'd removed pretty much any military signs, murals, etc & replaced it with Native American graphics. Getting into some areas mostly unused by DQU, I did find some old graffiti left by the AIM people in the early 1970s (Alcatraz has similar graffiti).
Other things in that area include a partially-built BoMARC missile annex of Travis AFB, numerous old navigational aid radio beacon annexes of Travis, and a GWEN site.
/-/oolie
There are no stupid questions, just stupid people. |
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edsel
location:
Under your skin
| | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 12 on 11/29/2009 3:27 PM >
| | | | I had to climb those types of towers for school when I was in the Marines. Don't remember any info about them though lol.
www.flickr.com/edsel12 |
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angela06
location:
Eugene, Oregon, usa
Gender: Female
| | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 13 on 11/29/2009 7:31 PM >
| | | | oooooh that looks hella fun.
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TheJulian
location:
Just south of that one place.
Gender: Male
Save Therrin!
| | | | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 14 on 12/1/2009 9:35 AM >
| | | | Swiffer and I are probably going to check out the GWEN site this week. Maybe we'll get over to another site or two if time and gas permit. Will take the digicam so that I can snap some halfway decent shots.
Sounds fun! Let's go! |
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Swiffer
location:
Smithfield, VA
High Priest, First National Church of Bacon
| | | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 15 on 12/6/2009 11:57 PM >
| | | | Well, Jay and I met up on Friday for coffee. Made a beeline for GWEN and HF Country, and tell you what, it was worth it. We also trekked up to a train tunnel in that area that was built in 1909. Got some video of the train coming right at us as it went into the tunnel.
I've got plans for one of these places...
We avoid risks in life so we can make it safely to death.
Don't fuck with Uncle Bob when he's been drinking.
BUTTHURT! BUTTHURT EVERYWHERE! |
|
/-/ooligan
location:
Las Vegas area
Gender: Male
When in danger, when in doubt, RUN IN CIRCLES, SCREAM AND SHOUT!
| | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 16 on 12/7/2009 6:42 AM >
| | | | Though the focus is on the HF-GCS transmit annex of Offutt AFB near Elkhorn Nebraska & with some mention of the receive site at Scribner Airport near Hooper NE, this article gives a good overall explanation of the HF-GCS system:
http://www.af.mil/...y.asp?id=123180431
/-/oolie
There are no stupid questions, just stupid people. |
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TheJulian
location:
Just south of that one place.
Gender: Male
Save Therrin!
| | | | Re: McClellan Global (a.k.a. West Coast Global) HF-GCS
<Reply # 17 on 12/12/2009 12:43 AM >
| | | | Have to agree with you Swiff, It was worth it. Train was definitely cool! We need to head over to Dixon VOA Swiff, also get up to your area and splore all the good things up there
Thanks to /-/oolie for the ever useful information! You could build an encyclopedia for us explorers
edited just for Swiffer
[last edit 12/12/2009 9:24 AM by TheJulian - edited 1 times]
Sounds fun! Let's go! |
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