I'm considering a climb on a cell tower in my area. I'm not sure if this is the right forum category to put this in, but I was going to look for a bit of specific advice regarding the type of tower this is. I read over related archived threads on this topic but didn't find much information regarding this type of tower.

Any advice requested, Radiation and Electrocution are my primary safety concerns.

This is the tower in question, would someone who has some experience have any pointers and warnings? (It is listed as a cell-site, if that is important information)

Simple, DON'T.

Posted by droopyeye Simple, DON'T.

That is not exactly a helpful answer, I'm looking for WHY not to.

Have a look at this thread, it has some information about towers that might help you, down in the "Basic UE Guide and Tips" section!

Actual cell towers are generally reasonably safe to climb (they will expose you to enough radiation to increase your risk of cancer over time, but not enough to fry you).

BUT, I don't think that looks like a cell tower! That looks more like a broadcast tower to me, which is NOT safe to climb.

That being said, it's damn hard to tell the difference, which is partly what makes radio towers so dangerous.

Here's some good stuff:

Radio towers:
http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=111761
http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&threadid=65012
http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=118332
http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=110548 (rooftop antenna safety)
http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=100989
http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=100956
http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&threadid=90468
http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&threadid=81595
http://www.uer.ca/...asp?threadid=86543
http://www.uer.ca/...asp?threadid=89242 (cautionary tale)

Just to clarify, I realize that tower has some cell antennas on it. I'm just thinking it looks like a broadcast tower that had some cell antennas stuck on later.

Also, if you get caught, the government tends to get a bit touchy about people mucking around on their communications infrastructure. As in, "You're under arrest for potential terrorism" touchy, from what I've heard.

Posted by Aran Also, if you get caught, the government tends to get a bit touchy about people mucking around on their communications infrastructure. As in, "You're under arrest for potential terrorism" touchy, from what I've heard.

Yeah, that is true, gotta hate those terrorism laws that can really by stretched, something to keep in mind, though not a huge concern for me.

What I need to know for sure I guess, is whether this tower is a broadcast tower or a cell because if Craig is right about it being broadcast, I will follow the advice of staying away.

I might have to go scout the base of the tower and check for signs, I can do that pretty easily, some closer pictures might also help some people who have some know on the subject identify the tower.

Just found some assigned frequency information on the site I'm loooking at. (Edited out location specifics)

Please note, these listings are all the same location.

---

(Lat: [REMOVED] Lon: [REMOVED]), Structure height: 91 m, Call Sign: WPDC495, Licensee ID: [REMOVED]
Assigned Frequencies: 929.712 MHz
Grant Date: 09/03/1998, Expiration Date: 09/03/2008, Cancellation Date: 03/27/2001
Registrant: [REMOVED]


(Lat: [REMOVED] Lon: [REMOVED]), Structure height: 91 m, Call Sign: WPDC496, Licensee ID: [REMOVED]
Assigned Frequencies: 929.662 MHz
Grant Date: 09/03/1998, Expiration Date: 09/03/2008, Cancellation Date: 03/27/2001
Registrant: [REMOVED]

(Lat: [REMOVED] Lon: [REMOVED]), Type: Tower, Structure height: 91 m, Call Sign: WPFN659
Assigned Frequencies: 929.762 MHz
Grant Date: 01/13/2000, Expiration Date: 01/13/2010, Cancellation Date: 10/28/2004, Certifier: [REMOVED]
Registrant: [REMOVED]

(Lat: [REMOVED] Lon: [REMOVED]), Type: Tower, Structure height: 91 m, Overall height: 98 m, Call Sign: WPGD504
Assigned Frequencies: 929.212 MHz
Grant Date: 06/15/1998, Expiration Date: 06/15/2008, Cancellation Date: 11/02/2004, Certifier: [REMOVED]
Registrant: [REMOVED]
_____________________________________________________

Are these frequencies in the 900 MHz's very harmful?

I've been trying to learn more about this topic too... I can't really answer your question, but I hope somebody else can.

My understanding is that anything with frequency below 3 GHz is considered ultra high frequency (which means it penetrates tissues), and could be TV broadcast or cell. In practice it seems like knowing the effective radiated power and antenna polarization is key to knowing how high one could climb a broadcast tower with relative safety.

edit: According to what you've posted the licenses expired years ago so I wonder if it's even transmitting?

900mhz refers to the frequencies, with enough wattage it can fry you on the inside as well as the outside, cook your retinas, all sorts of weird shit happens at that range but cell towers don't emit a lot of wattage

Posted by 2Xplorations 900mhz refers to the frequencies, with enough wattage it can fry you on the inside as well as the outside, cook your retinas, all sorts of weird shit happens at that range but cell towers don't emit a lot of wattage

So what the frequency range is doesn't really matter if you don't know what the wattage is, because it's the wattage that is the killer here?

http://www.fcc.gov...ular-and-pcs-sites

like rat hairs in your Snickers bar theres a government suggested daily allowance for RF exposure

the mobile phone antennae probably put out less than 100w it aint gonna pop your popcorn that's for sure


per watt, the wattage at higher UHF frequencies is potentially more dangerous than the same wattage at HF frequencies

still RF burns are no fun Ive had them from working with HAM radio stuff, minor ones hurt like the dickens you need to know what other services are on that tower though, I tried pulling up the call sign and its apparently not listed with the FCC

here is a useful site I don't know if it covers expired tower/license

http://www.antennasearch.com/default.asp

Do it, man. Take a few selfies with ducklips while yer up there.

Posted by A Through Z Explorations Do it, man. Take a few selfies with ducklips while yer up there.

Haha, not so convincing :p

Well, I think I will plan on not climbing the tower for now, thanks guys.

Well I've been waiting for a post that I can actually contribute some useful information to be my first on this very cool forum. This one should fit the bill.

I've worked in broadcast engineering for over 15 years, seen hundreds of towers climbed, and climbed a few myself.

From your picture I can't say for sure there is no broadcast antennas on it, but there does not seem to be any high power TV antennas, which tend to be quite large.

Medium to high power FM would probably be the most dangerous thing you'd come across in a relatively small antenna.

AM towers are usually energized, which means the whole tower is hot. Do not climb an AM tower! Luckily AM towers are easily identified because the guy wires have insulators. Also by law AM towers have to have a locked fence around the base.

Microwave antenna (the big dish looking ones) are usually safe too if you stay behind them.

Towers located in the USA that have broadcast antennas on them should have a sign at or around the tower with antenna structure registration number (ASR)call signs for the station on the tower, and emergency contact information of someone responsible for it. This is an FCC rule which may not always be followed, so use your best judgment anyway. If it is posted it will give you an idea of what may be on the tower.
http://www.fcc.gov...ast-station-search
With the FCC query tool you can find information on all broadcast stations. You can search by location, call sign, or ASR.
This tool should even give you the station power level which is called ERP and is measure in kilowatts. Anything under a kilowatt should be harmless if you don't linger in front of antennas.

There are also RF monitor alarms you can purchase and wear that will alert if the exposer is dangerous. They are a bit expensive though.
http://www.sitepro...product_list&c=862
This site also sells harnesses and other safety equipment built for tower climbing.


1. This is a low to medium power TV antenna being removed


2. This is a low power TV set up


3. This is a high power TV antenna I'm talking thousands of kilowatts


4. This is the coax feeding that high power antenna


5. This is a typical low power transmitter shack.

Posted by HamBean 3. This is a high power TV antenna I'm talking thousands of kilowatts

Pfft, weak.

https://www.youtub...iY&list=WL&index=2

Yeah 45,000 is weak compared to that, but suppose its relative to comparison the low power antenna pic I posted operated at just 400 watts. Ive also seen a few vhf stations at just 5 watts.