Microwave routes — Chikura #3

Original: Ryota / JJ1WTL — 501421051 · Original Japanese HTML

Published: 2023-11-11

English translation of the archived article text. The author’s first-person observations, uncertainty and later additions are preserved; this is not the research summary. Image contents are preserved as images, not silently incorporated into the translated prose.

Another investigation into the additional station licensed to a microwave operator connecting Minamiboso’s cable landing stations to central Tokyo’s data centres. Thinking, ‘There is another cable landing station, isn’t there?’, I made an extra visit there… No dishes. Defeat.

The station I am looking for

One station in Minamiboso City belonging to High Bar Communications. Click to enlarge. Licensed September 1. https://www.tele.soumu.go.jp/musen/SearchServlet?SC=1&pageID=3&SelectID=5&CONFIRM=0&OW=FX+0&IT=&HC=&HV=&MK=&TSNJK=&KHS=&HZ=3&NA=2010403013934&&SK=2&DC=100#result

On a map

I am trying to identify the station marked ‘?’ and the links marked ‘…’ at the lower left of the diagram. This is my second field visit. Click to enlarge.

What the other ends look like

Photographs from the previous two visits.

SoftBank Maruyama International Relay Station

The beam marked with the red arrow looks suspicious. Its counterpart is the terminal station I am looking for.

Gotenyama station

Likewise.

An additional candidate

‘There is also NTT Communications’ Minamiboso cable landing station’—so I made an additional visit.

To the site

Saturday, November 11. Other business in the morning, so setting out in the afternoon. Tamachi 12:35 → Tokyo 13:20 → express bus → Minamiboso-Chikura 15:37. Leaving Tamachi.

Tokyo Station. Boso Nanohana No. 15.

Joining the Metropolitan Expressway at the Kyobashi ramp, then onto Rainbow Bridge.

Passing Umihotaru on the Aqua-Line.

Arrived at Minamiboso-Chikura. The wind-related speed restriction has been lifted, and we are only two minutes late: 15:39. Here I am in Chikura again.

NTT Communications Minamiboso cable landing station

…No dishes… Defeat. orz. https://www.google.co.jp/maps/@34.9736044,139.9605716,106m/data=!3m1!1e3

Overall views

From the north.

From the southwest.

From the northeast.

From the east.

Checking the roof once more as I retreat… No dishes.

Close-ups of the rooftop structures

From Street View beforehand, I had thought perhaps something was installed here ↓… But no.

Nothing here either.

Returning home

Retreating after 46 minutes at the site. Returning by train. Chikura 16:25 → Kimitsu 17:36 → Shimbashi 19:09 → Tamachi. Chikura Station, which I had visited only eight days earlier. Eight minutes on foot from the station building; arrived at 16:08.

Bound for Kisarazu. I rode this just eight days ago. Miss it and the next departure is not until 17:41.

Changing at Kimitsu. The 17:36 departure for Ofuna.

Shimbashi. Home at 19:30.

Expenses

¥167 — JR, Tamachi → Tokyo. ¥2,790 — express bus, Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit → Minamiboso-Chikura. ¥2,310 — JR, Chikura → Tamachi. ―――――――――――――――――――― ¥5,267 total. [The source prints ‘5.267’.]