KD2AIL
Newbie
Hi All!
If I'm in the wrong forum, I apologize in advance. Someone simply tell me where this topic belongs and I will gladly re-route.
Recently a wooden telephone type mast was erected not far from my home, just outside the town fire department building. Atop of this pole is a very thick cylindrical shaped omni-directional-microwave looking antenna. It is has two lines of coax visibly going into it. At its base is a rather sizable control unit, with what looked like rack servers installed by a private company as well as a big-name wireless provider. Two diplexers are mounted to the wall of the building. A very professional grounding system and an air conditioning unit is mounted to the server rack enclosure as well as battery backup. Being a bit concerned it was some kind of new cell tower in such close proximity to my home, I called the local municipality and their explanation was, "its some kind of back-up, networked system for the fire department." But A: if that's true, why not put it on the FD building with the rest of their antennas. B: since when is the FD using microwave frequencies? C: I live at the bottom and behind a large mountain the geology of which, I was told, is a type of metal. On top of that mountain is a water tower with lots of antennas logically placed on top of it, why not also put this antenna at least on top of this mountain as opposed to the valley below? All of this was done quietly during weekdays. I noticed the teams erecting it when I'd come home for lunch. Now the whole unit appears operational and a very tall privacy fence has been installed around its base. If this is legitimately some kind of back-up for the FD, great. If this is some kind of new micro cell tower, not so great.
I'd appreciate anyone's input on this. If anyone can ID this antenna and its nature, I thank you in advance.
Paul
Kd2ail
If I'm in the wrong forum, I apologize in advance. Someone simply tell me where this topic belongs and I will gladly re-route.
Recently a wooden telephone type mast was erected not far from my home, just outside the town fire department building. Atop of this pole is a very thick cylindrical shaped omni-directional-microwave looking antenna. It is has two lines of coax visibly going into it. At its base is a rather sizable control unit, with what looked like rack servers installed by a private company as well as a big-name wireless provider. Two diplexers are mounted to the wall of the building. A very professional grounding system and an air conditioning unit is mounted to the server rack enclosure as well as battery backup. Being a bit concerned it was some kind of new cell tower in such close proximity to my home, I called the local municipality and their explanation was, "its some kind of back-up, networked system for the fire department." But A: if that's true, why not put it on the FD building with the rest of their antennas. B: since when is the FD using microwave frequencies? C: I live at the bottom and behind a large mountain the geology of which, I was told, is a type of metal. On top of that mountain is a water tower with lots of antennas logically placed on top of it, why not also put this antenna at least on top of this mountain as opposed to the valley below? All of this was done quietly during weekdays. I noticed the teams erecting it when I'd come home for lunch. Now the whole unit appears operational and a very tall privacy fence has been installed around its base. If this is legitimately some kind of back-up for the FD, great. If this is some kind of new micro cell tower, not so great.
I'd appreciate anyone's input on this. If anyone can ID this antenna and its nature, I thank you in advance.
Paul
Kd2ail
