VLF Transmitter Woodside
| Woodside Omega Mast | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Guyed grounded mast equipped with umbrella antenna |
| Location | Woodside, Australia |
| Coordinates | 38°28′52″S 146°56′7″E / 38.48111°S 146.93528°E |
| Height | 432 m (1,417.32 ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | US Coast Guard |
Woodside Omega Transmitter (station G, now Woodside VLF transmitter) near Woodside, Victoria, Australia at 38°28′52″S 146°56′07″E / 38.481228°S 146.935294°E uses an umbrella antenna carried by a 432 metre high grounded lattice steel guyed mast. This mast is the highest construction in the southern hemisphere.[citation needed] Construction of this station was originally planned to be built in New Zealand but after protests from anti-war protestors it was built in Australia.
After the shutdown of the OMEGA navigation system it was used until 2004 as transmitter for orders to submarines on 13 kHz under the callsign VL3DEF. Until December 2008, it had been transmitting a 100 baud MSK modulated signal on 18.6 kHz. However, the station has been closed down and transmissions have now ceased. The tower remains, transmitting equipment is on display at the Port Albert Maritime Museum.
