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KNBR (AM 680) Antenna, Redwood City, CA, 2024
Very tall pixels at https://www.flickr.com/photos/mattblaze/54131419266
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this post was submitted on 13 Nov 2024
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This distinctive stacked dual antenna arrangement is used to lower the radiation angle of the antenna, concentrating transmitted power to the "ground wave" and reducing energy that would otherwise be sent upward into the sky.
The smaller (300 foot) freestanding mast in the background left is not in current use. It can be used as an emergency spare antenna for KNBR during maintenance of the taller main antenna.
@mattblaze@federate.social
So what you're saying is that the smaller tower is in alternating current use?
I'll get my coat
The antenna is in the final approach and takeoff flightpath for SFO airport's runways 28L/R (and 10L/R), and so the site has special markings to warn pilots of a collision hazard. In addition to the usual tower lights and red/white paint, 3-dimensional "HAZ" warnings were installed around the field. These are easily visible in areal photos; see, e.g., https://earth.google.com/web/@37.5471204,-122.23429544,0.73120256a,577.14725587d,35y,0.01179999h,0t,0r/data=CgRCAggBQgIIAEoNCP___________wEQAA
Also, important safety tip: you can get closer to this tower without clearly trespassing or jumping fences than any other 50KW broadcast antenna I've ever seen. I measured a field strength of over 80V/m a bit outside the antenna fence, which is an incredibly strong signal (though still within the OSHA limits at the frequency involved).
Resist any temptation to jump the fence and climb the (energized) tower. You'll be electrocuted as soon as you touch it.
@mattblaze@federate.social Great thread, thanks!
@mattblaze@federate.social With towers over 200ft, the FAA requires lights on the top, and these towers can make the systems that power and monitor the lights act very funky. I never had the pleasure, but I worked with people who did.
@Zoarial94@infosec.exchange yeah, they make special tower light monitoring systems specifically for AM radio stations. Also, maintaining the lights is definitely a job I Do Not Want.
@mattblaze@federate.social I was remote lighting support for the field, and I loved it. The field techs, however, really have it rough.