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Thread: Analyzing Antennas

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  1. #1
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    Analyzing Antennas

    I am a low-timer with no intentions of jumping virgin towers on my own any time soon, but I would like to learn what the experts among you consider when you drive by a tower and say, "Hmmm...I wonder..." What are some of your most important considerations when casing a new tower/antenna? Obviously wind, guy wires, access to the top, landing area, and probability of getting seen/caught come to mind, but I was interested in hearing specifics that beginners might not think of...

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    RE: Analyzing Antennas

    First, it would be nice to know who owns the thing. Also, find out if it's TV, FM, or AM, and how much power it's giving off. You can get all that info on the FCC website. They have separate databases for TV and Radio broadcasting stations. You can also search by location, call sign(WZZZ), or frequency(radio only). The tower heights are given in meters.

    For TV: http://www.fcc.gov/mmb/vsd/tvq.html

    For FM radio: http://www.fcc.gov/mmb/asd/fmq.html

  3. #3
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    RE: Analyzing Antennas

    First thing...look at the base of the antenna. See if there is a grounding jumper from the antenna to the ground or if it's sitting on a large insulator. Also look at the base of the guy wires for insulation. DON'T TOUCH IT if it's insulated from the ground as it is an AM antenna and will smite thee.


  4. #4
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    RE: Analyzing Antennas

    How do you interpret the codes and symbols? Such as Not near the border, VERP, VHAAT, VRCAMSL, VRCAGL, Non directional, No beam tilt.
    Thanks,
    Levin

  5. #5
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    RE: Analyzing Antennas

    >How do you interpret the codes
    >and symbols? Such as
    >Not near the border, VERP,
    >VHAAT, VRCAMSL, VRCAGL, Non directional,
    >No beam tilt.
    >Thanks,
    >Levin


    I'm not exactly sure what the acronyms stand for, but I can infer, based on the units of measure and known values, what each symbol is referring to. ERP is the power of the transmitter, TV transmitters will give off a few hundred Kilowatts usually. VHAAT is the vertical height of the tower from the ground (in meters). VRCAMSL must be the height above sea level. I'm not sure what VRCAGL is, but in aviation terms AGL means above ground level--it could be the height of the transmitter (not necessarily the full height of the structure). Most TV and FM is non-directional(radiates in all directions). I don't know what beam tilt is. The only things I look for are the height and the power of the transmitter, because that's how much radiation you're exposing yourself to. BUT, keep in mind most towers have more than one transmitter, the TV transmitter(usually at the top) has the most power. Sometimes there are microwave and radar dishes on towers also, but that's another story...

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