How Commercial Antennas Are Becoming Less Intrusive

By Essie Osborn


The thick forest of television antennas that used to grow from the rooftops of suburbia has disappeared, a welcome result of evolving technology. Although the digital age has arrived, modern communications still rely heavily upon over-the-air, antenna-based reception and transmission, requiring the construction of many additional antenna structures. While excellent coverage is essential, those new units should not create a negative impact on daily life.

Any basic antenna is a system of wires, poles, dishes or other metallic devices that can send or receive electromagnetic signals. Those loosely defined as commercial antennas are being used for the purpose of making money, and may include radio, television, and cell phone towers. Devices that are used mainly in residences, such as amateur radio transmitters or home satellite dishes, are not.

Business operators are increasingly faced with a variety of issues that must be addressed before any new equipment can be placed. Consumers buying electronic communications devices naturally want them to work dependably and with reliable reception, but do not want to actually see the necessary towers or broadcast installations that make good electronic service possible. Most cities have been forced to create new regulations on location, size and visibility.

An antenna array that looks like a science fiction device may appeal to some, but not to most of those who might live next door. Communications operators have taken this attitude seriously in regard to new designs and locations, and attempt to make a final product that is unnoticeable to the casual observer. The need to make new designs nearly invisible has spawned some creative solutions.

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.

New construction must not alter the overall view from neighboring homes, and the color schemes used must match the existing standards for the locale. Most neighborhoods also require that all connecting wires must be installed underground, and the above-ground portions concealed with vegetation or landscaping. While the proliferation of building rules may seem overly restrictive, the results have been overwhelmingly positive.

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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