History
Archers Court, adjacent to an existing (1970s) telephone exchange, was added in the mid-1980s as part of a new cross-channel link, running to Boulogne (believed to be Mt Lambert). The site was the subject of an initial planning application in 1983 with approval given during 1984 for the tower height to be increased from 38 m to 46 m with provision for a further six dishes. The increased height was in part to give better clearance for obstructions betwen Archers Court and Rough Commmon including a water tower and it also appears provision was made for additional bands to be used.
Planning documents also disclose a link between the two cross-channel routes was to be provided between Archers Court and Tolsford Hill (using a single dish). A temporary structure carrying two dishes facing Boulogne and one towards Tolsford Hill was in place by late 1982. This may have been initially for propogation tests but was retained until the new site was completed in 1986 and therefore may have carried operational traffic to relieve congestion.
A list of BT equipment indicates Thomson CSF supplied the equipment at least for the cross-channel side of the link and that this was operational from 1986. Along with Rough Common the site has been given a new lease of life for High Frequency Trading links.
The radio equipment at Archers Court was housed in an extension to the exchange rather than in a separate building.