GUIDE TO TOWER COSTS

 Clarification: There is a difference between a “Tower” and a “Mast”.   The essential difference is that a mast is held in place by 3 or 4 cables and has a small base, while a tower stands on its own and has a larger base.   In this document the word “Tower” is used for both types.

 Objective :  To guide intending Low Power TV (LPTV) station owners regarding tower costs, and the options available to them.

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1          The Challenge of Tower Costs

          LPTV is very appealing and has many benefits, including that of low costs.  However the cost of setting up your own tower could easily be far greater than the combined cost of the transmission equipment. 

 Where space is hired on a tower, this can be very expensive.  For example, $250 p.m. for 3 years is $9,000 USD, which is virtually the cost of a low power transmitter!!

 

2          The Infrastructure needed for LPTV transmitters

            The minimum infrastructure commonly needed is:

• Space on a tower for the antenna and feeder cable (about 4m of vertical space for antenna – single stack, or 8m if double stack)

•  Space for the transmitter cabinet – usually (for smaller transmitters), mounted on a wall inside a hut, but could also be mounted outside against the tower where transmitter power is below 80 watts.  Check with the supplier on space requirements

• Security – usually in a secured room or hut.

• Air conditioning – for city LPTV, where power is 100w or greater, a hut with at least a good ventilation fan is needed, and perhaps air conditioning.  Check with manufacturers.

• If Microwave linking from a studio is done, space is needed for the receiving dish (not more than 1.4m), very often on the tower, but not necessarily so, if line-of-sight can be obtained elsewhere nearby. 

 

3       Some Low Cost options

            Because UHF TV used for LPTV travels by line-of-sight, it is essential to mount the antenna as high as possible, to maximize the number of homes your signal will reach.  Any reception by viewers out of sight is a bonus!

          In a mountainous region, use a short tower on a hill or mountain if the infrastructure is available.  In a flat region, you will need a taller tower.

          Because LPTV dipole antennas are very light weight (less than 10 kgs per stack), it is unnecessary to mount them on a heavy duty tower, when they can easily be mounted on a tower of lighter construction.

            The following low-cost options assume that you have a hill or mountain with the needed infrastructure available.   You may be able to purchase or rent ground near to existing antennas, so that you can share the infrastructure. 

We recommend that you call on the services of a structural engineer to guide you on the feasibility of these options.

Download document:  <media 947>Some low cost tower options</media>

 

4          Conclusion

          Rental of towers can be very expensive.  If contracts are entered into, they should be for 2 years or less, and serious consideration given to erecting your own tower.   The money saved can be put into production of local TV material.

          Most LPTV Antennas are quite light-weight and do not need heavy-duty towers.

          Feel free to send questions to our consultant:  Mr Enoch Mogusu at mogusu (at) gmail (dot) com.Mogusu(at)gmail(dot)com

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