Antenna Towers

An antenna is a piece of metal between two - fifteen feet long and two - six feet wide. In order to stabilize antennas, a tower, or mast, is constructed (also to raise the antenna higher off the ground, thus increasing its functional range). While a mast is a single piece of pipe, a tower is generally many interlocking pipes and is taller than a mast. Generally, antenna towers are used for AM and FM radio.

In order for antennas to work optimally, there are certain conditions to be met (Prometheusradio.org) :

• FM antennas need to be 12 feet (one wavelength) from any other obstruction.
• If the antenna radiates more than a hundred watts ERP the FCC requires it to be 13.5 feet away from anywhere a person might want to be for any length of time.
• Radio engineers need to study antennas that are to be placed near other equipment to make sure the population is not exposed to too much radio radiation.
• There is also the possibility that the antenna could interfere with other equipment or be interfered with.
• At 30 meters HAAT (Height Above Average Terrain) low stations are allowed 100 watts ERP. Lower stations are not allowed to up their power to broadcast better.
• In order to install an antenna you should begin with an existing tall structure.

So, if you need an antenna and its tower, what should you get? For most low-power radio stations, a 150 watt transmitter and a pair of circularly polarized antennas will work just fine. Another option is a single circularly polarized antenna. For more information on antennas, go to Antennasystems.com or Rohntower.net.

Back to Top