Profitis Ilias, Ambelos Mt. Nov. 2011.

Photo: Torben & Jan. Text: Torben.

 

One morning (about 7 o'clock) on my way back from my morning swim I had this nice view to the mountains.

I decided to have a tour up there as soon as possible.

 

[View to Ambelos Mt.]

The next day Jan and I took a tour up there, and it was as always a great tour.

 

[Ilias Map]

Location of Profitis Ilias.

 

[View to Kerkis]

View from Prof. Ilias to Kerkis Mt.

  • 01_Torben_Pr_IliasTorben by Profitis Ilias
  • 02_DSC1482View down to the top visible from Kokkari - now without clouds.
  • 03_DSC1489aSamos town with Turkey in the background
  • 04_DSC1480aProf. Elias detail
  • 05_111120a28Prof. Elias detail
  • 06_111120a26Prof. Elias detail
  • 07_P-Elias_Panorama1Prof. Elias inside
  • 08_DSC1511aView out to...
  • 09_DSC1488aXThe 2 big reflectors - the use will be explained below
  • 10_DSC1497View to Kerkis Mt.
  • 11_DSC1545aOn the way down we entered a nearby top 500 m. SW of Prof. Ilias
  • 12_DSC1517aA look up to Prof. Ilias
  • 13_DSC1513aA look up to Prof. Ilias and the 2 reflectors
  • 14_DSC1520aKerkis Mt. with Ikaria and Fournoi visible in the background
  • 15_DSC1533aStill many traces from the big fire in 2000
  • 16_DSC1540aStill many traces from the big fire in 2000
  • 17_DSC1553XOn the way back we had many nice views
  • 18_111120b13Here: Kambos & Platanakia Beach

The reflectors:

 

[View to Kerkis]

It has not been possible to get an official explanation on the use of the 2 big reflectors on the top.

Therefore I had to figure out what the use might have been.


After working with electronic, radar and radio for more than 40 years it was obvious to me

that it was a set of passive reflectors for radio communication, but from where to where?

 

A reflector acts as a mirror as shown here and to find the direction and possible 'endpoints' it is necessary to make a few measurements and calculations.

To make a long story short I have made these illustrations using Google Earth.

First a sight-line between the centres of the reflectors.

Then constructing the 'reflection' of this line.

Final step is to extend the reflection-lines and see where they ends.

The lines passes Marathokambos (M) and a point close to Samos town (S).

To see if this make any sense we have to enlarge the map, and the following pictures will tell us...

The line marked "S" passes the radio station close to Profitis Ilias above Samos town.

If this station have used the reflectors or if an earlier installation in that area used them is not to say at this moment. I will try to find the answer on my next tour to Samos.

The line marked "M" passes right through Marathokambos.

My conclusion and best guess is that the purpose of the reflectors was to establish radio communication or radio transmission (one- or two-way) between Samos and Marathokambos area.