Wireless communication is based on radio waves and has fortified technologies like cell phones, radars, Wi-Fi internet, etc. that have all come to pass as the basic necessities for human existence. The technology today is powerful enough to cover the remotest locations of earth and even space.
Transmission of Radio Waves
Radio waves are transmitted using transceivers that receive and transmit the signals. These transceivers require a medium to communicate the signals with space (air and vacuum). This is achieved by means of radio antennae. Antennae are the portion of the transceivers that interact with the space around them and communicate signals. These work similar to, and are basically derived from the antennae that one might see on insects.
In order to work effectively, these antennae need to be placed at a level much higher than the ground. Typically, an antenna is placed at about 10 stories from the ground for effective working. To achieve this height for the antenna, it is mounted on a structure that is as high. These structures are called an antenna towers.
Antenna Tower and Antenna Mast
Depending on the height required and the function of the antenna, it is mounted on either a tower or a mast. An antenna mast is a single pole like structure that stands straight and tall. A tower is a structure that has 3 to 4 supporting "legs" and is built from the bottom up.
A radio antenna mast requires support to stand straight, as it is very narrow compared to the length. The supports are in the form of strong cables, mostly made of steel, which are tied to the ground with weights to provide stability to the antenna mast. These cables are called "guys". Since the guys are tied down to weights and spread around the antenna mast, this arrangement requires a lot of space.
A tower is built from the bottom using steel members such as "L" angles and "C" angles welded together to form a large structure. Antenna towers are self-supporting and have 3 or 4 legs at the base depending on the height of the tower and its location. Since there is no part of the tower that extends beyond the space that the base takes up, it can be built where there is a constraint of space. This is why a tower, although harder to build in comparison to an antenna mast, is preferred to mounting antennae.
A tower can also be built with concrete. Concrete towers are also self supporting and are usually tubular in form. These are used where the wind speeds are high and when the requirement is to have a rigid tower that does not sway with the wind. Fiberglass is also used as a building material for antenna towers and is used when the length of the tower is not very high.
Tower Installation Process
The first activity to be carried out is to decide the type of tower that is required for the designated purpose. This is very important, as it will decide the further course of action. The type of tower will be chosen based on the functionality of the antenna, location of the tower, height, soil conditions, and space available.
Once the decision regarding the tower type has been made, a design of the tower will have to be developed and installation methods planned. The telecom towers installation process has to essentially follow the design and installation methodology must be completed safely and within the estimated cost and timeframe.
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