Sunday, May 11, 2014

Commercial Antennas Have Become Less Intrusive

Commercial Antennas Have Become Less Intrusive


by Essie Osborn


Years before the digital communications revolution, nearly every suburban home was crowned with an ugly aluminum television antenna. While their disappearance has not been mourned, today's communication and media devices still demand excellent transmission, often requiring the installation of new antenna arrays. Consumers not only demand good service, but are equally concerned about the placement, visibility and safety of those units.

An antenna is an assemblage of poles, wires, metallic extensions or dishes that can receive or transmit electromagnetic information. Commercial antennas are primarily involved in a money-making service, and that includes television, radio, and cell phone installations. Those associated only with non-profit, residential use, including home satellite dishes or amateur radio equipment, are not in the same category.

When a business is faced with the need for new transmission equipment, there are a host of considerations and requirements. The consuming public wants solid, hardworking devices that have reliable reception and transmission, but generally does not want to view the inevitable broadcast towers necessary for good service. Because of that desire, many towns have initiated new rules regulating antenna size, visibility, and location.

A high-tech antenna array sporting gleaming metal spikes might appeal to some, but generally not to those people living in its shadow. This understandable attitude has driven technicians to new levels of creativity when designing and placing new installations, with the goal of making them less obtrusive. Many of these solutions are based on the concept that new equipment should be almost invisible to casual observers.

One of the most successful methods of reaching that goal is termed co-location. This process places the necessary new hardware on the face of an already existing base, doing away with the need for new construction. Because other companies are already using that tower, the design must fit into their operations, must not impact them negatively, and cannot be aesthetically inappropriate.

For many new services, however, co-location is not feasible. In those cases, there are often stringent regulations for new construction. Although cities vary, most have rules that attempt to accommodate the needs of both service provider and customer. In many areas, new towers may not be constructed in a side or front yard, and cannot disrupt current traffic flow or eliminate current parking capacity.

In addition, the color scheme has to blend properly with existing designs. A new antenna must not block the view from adjacent homes. Some regions stipulate that all connective wiring be run beneath ground, and covered by vegetation or landscaping when above ground. Ordinances regarding height must be followed. Although these requirements may seem restrictive, the positive outcome is a new generation of towers that most people happily never notice.

Where ugly metal once sprouted, people now see greenery. In New York state, towers are disguised as deciduous trees, while in Los Angeles they may resemble palms. Some newer antennas are specially created to match and blend into other unique natural environments, and many are doing that job very well. The result, although initially somewhat costlier, is proving very popular with service providers and consumers alike.




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