Poles

Shorter masts can be basically a self-supporting or cable-stayed pole, similar to a telegraph pole. Sometimes galvanized steel tubular poles are used, these are called vertical monopoles.

Buildings

In some cases, it is possible to install antennas on the roofs of tall buildings. In North America, for example, antennas are often seen on the roofs of tall buildings. In the United States of America, for example, there are antennas on the Willis Tower, the Empire State Building, the Condé Nast Building and the One World Trade Center. The north tower of the original World Trade Center (1973-2001) also had a 110 m antenna on its roof that began transmitting in 1980. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, when the building collapsed, several local television networks and some radio stations were off the air until replacement transmitters could be installed.[2] Such facilities also exist in Europe, particularly for portable radio services. and low range FM. In London, the BBC erected a mast on Alexandra Palace in 1936 that is still in use.

hidden posts

Many people see broadcasting poles as structures that detract from their surroundings even though they provide much of the quality of life they enjoy. For this reason, some companies hide them with other structures already present in the environment such as trees, water towers and other tall buildings already present.[3]​.

The level of detail and realism achieved in these posts is very high, making them indistinguishable even by local fauna. These can be placed in national parks and other natural sites without breaking with the environment. An example of this are the towers designed like cactus in the Coronado National Forest in the United States of America.[4]​.

Portable masts

A special form of the radio tower is the telescopic mast. These can be erected very quickly in order to establish temporary radio links to report important events or in disaster zones where there are no fixed antennas or they have been lost. They are also used in tactical military networks and by radio amateurs.

Balloons and kites

Balloons and "Kite (toy)" kites can serve as temporary supports for antennas or cables. It is usually used in military posts as a provisional measure until the installation of another structure or by radio amateurs. For example, Radio y Televisión Martí is a radio broadcasting service that retransmits television programs broadcast from Miami to Cuba via balloon.

Drones

Recently, the idea of ​​using drones for telecommunications has been raised.[5] It is not clear what advantage a drone would provide over a balloon, but a major disadvantage is its limited operating time.

Masts for transmission of short wave signals.

For shortwave transmissions, it is not necessary to raise the antennas more than 100 m, so their masts do not usually exceed this height.

Maintenance access

Masts, towers and antennas require frequent maintenance, which is why these structures usually incorporate stairs and other forms of access (elevators in the case of taller towers) within their design.

Aircraft signaling features

Tall structures that exceed a certain height require, by law and varying depending on the country, location beacons. These are usually red lamps and serve to warn aircraft pilots of the presence of the structure. Formerly incandescent filament bulbs, nowadays neon or LED lamps are usually used.

The rules that regulate what heights should be marked and how vary between countries. Some require a white strobe during the day and red flashing lights at night. Some legislation even requires that structures be painted in contrasting colors with the sky (red and white or orange and white).

In some countries where light pollution is a concern, regulations are usually issued that limit the height of structures so that, by not exceeding it, they do not require lighting. For example, in the United States of America the Telecommunications Act of 1966 allowed local jurisdictions to limit the height of their towers. These were usually built less than 200 feet, making signage unnecessary.

Wind induced oscillations

One problem with masts is the danger of wind-induced sway. This is a concern particularly in masts that are constructed from tubular steel. This can be reduced by fitting the masts with cylindrical vibration damping structures that are wider than the mast and hug it. This method is used on the DHO38" VLF transmitter masts in Saterland, Germany.

Danger to birds

Towers and masts have been shown to be obstacles that frequently cause damage to birds.[6]​[7]​ Studies have been done on how to minimize this risk without reducing the quality of telecommunications. There have also been cases of rare birds (protected with special legislation) that nest in these structures, making their maintenance impossible.[8]​[9]​.

Poles

Shorter masts can be basically a self-supporting or cable-stayed pole, similar to a telegraph pole. Sometimes galvanized steel tubular poles are used, these are called vertical monopoles.

Buildings

In some cases, it is possible to install antennas on the roofs of tall buildings. In North America, for example, antennas are often seen on the roofs of tall buildings. In the United States of America, for example, there are antennas on the Willis Tower, the Empire State Building, the Condé Nast Building and the One World Trade Center. The north tower of the original World Trade Center (1973-2001) also had a 110 m antenna on its roof that began transmitting in 1980. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, when the building collapsed, several local television networks and some radio stations were off the air until replacement transmitters could be installed.[2] Such facilities also exist in Europe, particularly for portable radio services. and low range FM. In London, the BBC erected a mast on Alexandra Palace in 1936 that is still in use.

hidden posts

Many people see broadcasting poles as structures that detract from their surroundings even though they provide much of the quality of life they enjoy. For this reason, some companies hide them with other structures already present in the environment such as trees, water towers and other tall buildings already present.[3]​.

The level of detail and realism achieved in these posts is very high, making them indistinguishable even by local fauna. These can be placed in national parks and other natural sites without breaking with the environment. An example of this are the towers designed like cactus in the Coronado National Forest in the United States of America.[4]​.

Portable masts

A special form of the radio tower is the telescopic mast. These can be erected very quickly in order to establish temporary radio links to report important events or in disaster zones where there are no fixed antennas or they have been lost. They are also used in tactical military networks and by radio amateurs.

Balloons and kites

Balloons and "Kite (toy)" kites can serve as temporary supports for antennas or cables. It is usually used in military posts as a provisional measure until the installation of another structure or by radio amateurs. For example, Radio y Televisión Martí is a radio broadcasting service that retransmits television programs broadcast from Miami to Cuba via balloon.

Drones

Recently, the idea of ​​using drones for telecommunications has been raised.[5] It is not clear what advantage a drone would provide over a balloon, but a major disadvantage is its limited operating time.

Masts for transmission of short wave signals.

For shortwave transmissions, it is not necessary to raise the antennas more than 100 m, so their masts do not usually exceed this height.

Maintenance access

Masts, towers and antennas require frequent maintenance, which is why these structures usually incorporate stairs and other forms of access (elevators in the case of taller towers) within their design.

Aircraft signaling features

Tall structures that exceed a certain height require, by law and varying depending on the country, location beacons. These are usually red lamps and serve to warn aircraft pilots of the presence of the structure. Formerly incandescent filament bulbs, nowadays neon or LED lamps are usually used.

The rules that regulate what heights should be marked and how vary between countries. Some require a white strobe during the day and red flashing lights at night. Some legislation even requires that structures be painted in contrasting colors with the sky (red and white or orange and white).

In some countries where light pollution is a concern, regulations are usually issued that limit the height of structures so that, by not exceeding it, they do not require lighting. For example, in the United States of America the Telecommunications Act of 1966 allowed local jurisdictions to limit the height of their towers. These were usually built less than 200 feet, making signage unnecessary.

Wind induced oscillations

One problem with masts is the danger of wind-induced sway. This is a concern particularly in masts that are constructed from tubular steel. This can be reduced by fitting the masts with cylindrical vibration damping structures that are wider than the mast and hug it. This method is used on the DHO38" VLF transmitter masts in Saterland, Germany.

Danger to birds

Towers and masts have been shown to be obstacles that frequently cause damage to birds.[6]​[7]​ Studies have been done on how to minimize this risk without reducing the quality of telecommunications. There have also been cases of rare birds (protected with special legislation) that nest in these structures, making their maintenance impossible.[8]​[9]​.