Masts, Tripods, Towers

The mast is the vertical part; the tripod is what keeps it vertical. Think of the mast and tripod as a matched set (keeping in mind you can match a wide range of tripods to your mast). Generally, you want to select the mast first. Then, you select a tripod that will work with that mast and with the requirements of your physical location.

Masts and tripods are typically used for smaller roof-mount (penetrating or non-penetrating) installations. At a certain point, the sheer physics involved makes the tower a better choice. Not sure how close you are to that point? We are here to help. Feel free to contact us (or by phone 847-584-1000) for more information.

Just what is a broadband system? The word "broadband" means different things in different applications. Federal Standard 1037C, Glossary of Telecommunication Terms, defines it in a vague way. Today, just about all communications systems fit our idea of "broadband," with the key concept being speed due to the number of bits that flow through the communication "pipe."

Before you select individual components for a broadband system, develop an understanding of what that system will be doing and what environment each component will operate in (outdoor, high heat, high noise, etc.). Create a block drawing of the major components, as a starting point.

Once you have a clear idea of which components are your core components, you can select the supporting components that match them. For example, select your routers, switches, antennas, and amplifiers before specifying your cabling.

This seems logical enough, but it's not always the way people proceed. One reason why they get hung up is they realize they'll be routing cabling through environmental air space, so they specify plenum cabling while this is on their mind. But that's out of sequence in the design process.

Obviously, you need masts and towers that meet your frequency and site requirements. But many other factors also apply. For example:

• Indoor or outdoor?
• In an enclosure, wall-mounted, or panel-mounted?
• Are connections coaxial or some other method?
• Is your broadband system providing stand-alone coverage, or is it part of an integrated wired/wireless system?
• What about broadband filters and couplers? Mounting hardware? Safety gear?

Feel free to contact us (or by phone 847-584-1000) for more information.

Siting and specifying a communications tower is a challenge. We are here to help. Feel free to contact us (or by phone 847-584-1000) for more information.

Drawings with the appropriate Professional Engineer state seals are always available to meet your local zoning ordinances.

Antenna Systems & Solutions, Inc. is proud to be a leading provider of communication towers, MET towers, radar towers, and monopole towers.

Our extensive inventory of guyed towers, monopole towers, self supporting towers, and radar towers allows us to ship immediately following a natural disaster.

We stock ROHN 25G, ROHN 45G, ROHN 55G, ROHN 65G, ROHN 80G, ROHN 90G, ROHN SSV Self Supporting Towers, ROHN SCL Self Supporting Towers, ROHN RSL Self Supporting Towers, and Monopoles.

Please take some time to read our Tower Safety page. This very informative resource may save your life.

It covers such areas as:

• Electrocution hazards.
• Fall hazards.
• Mixing of products.
• Qualified installers.
• OSHA.

The National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, provides communications system installation requirements in Chapter 8. Other NEC Articles may also apply, especially those in Chapter 5. The IEEE provides many communications-related standards. If you go to the IEEE Website's Standards library and select "Communications" you will see these. It's a huge list, but only certain ones will apply to your specific application.

Some state and local authorities have additional state requirements. Check with the Authority Having Jurisdiction to determine which, if any, state and local requirements apply.