Byron Heights
Mountain range on West Falkland in the Falkland Islands
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Byron Heights is a mountain rising to 497 m (1,630 ft)[1] at the northwest extremity of West Falkland, Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.[2] It is situated 11.65 km (7.24 mi) southeast of Hope Point on a narrow peninsula which is subject to exposed weather as it is between two bays.[3]
| Byron Heights | |
|---|---|
  Byron Heights | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 497 m (1,630 ft) |
| Prominence | 497 m (1,630 ft) |
| Coordinates | 51°25′29″S 60°33′53″W |
| Geography | |
| Location | Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean |
The mountain's top is occupied by RRH Byron Heights (Remote Radar Head Byron Heights) of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI),[4] part of an early warning and airspace control network including also RRH Mount Alice on West Falkland and RRH Mount Kent on East Falkland.[5] In the 1990s, the radar was a type 94 being operated by a detachment of No. 7 Signals Unit of the Royal Air Force.[6] In January 2007, it was operated by No. 303 Signals Unit and was visited by Princess Anne and her husband, Rear Admiral Timothy Laurence.[7] In 2012, it was estimated that the radar site had a coverage of 108 kilometres (67 mi) up to an altitude of 494 metres (1,621 ft).[8] During the Falklands Conflict, the site was used by Argentine forces to site an Eltar radar which was be used to track Sea Harriers.[9]
The accommodation and working areas of the base were completely rebuilt between 2016 and 2025, having previously been made up of containers which had been there since 1984.[10] the teams building the new blocks had to have evrything shipped out from the UK and were working in 80 miles per hour (130 km/h) winds.[11] Byron Heights is also the location of a civilian band 300-Watt FM radio transmitter.[12]
On 5 January 1984, a Lynx helicopter crashed into the sea just north of Byron Heights, both crewmembers were found still strapped inside the helicopter.[13]