Dr. Jonathan Kramer's Cell Tower Photo Gallery

Copyright 2000-2023 Dr. Jonathan Kramer

Last additions
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Verizon MTSO cell and microwave tower1695 viewsThis is an interesting 63-ish foot communications tower in Schertz, Texas. It's owned by Verizon Wireless.Oct 05, 2004
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14 - Mother Earth Starting to Reclaim...1035 viewsNature (with the help of plantings by the carrier) is starting to retake the base of the site.Sep 26, 2004
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15 - Vandals Strike!1206 viewsOkay, I'll start by saying it wasn't me! Really!! Someone(s) climbed our little friend and installed some cute "eyes" at the top of the pole. The eyes remained in place for about two weeks near Christmas time 2002.1 commentsSep 26, 2004
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09 - Construction of the Ice Guard876 viewsA box to protect the coaxial cables (often called an ice guard) is installed at the base of the of the trunk. The cones are cute, eh?Sep 26, 2004
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10 - Close up of Ice Guard Construction827 viewsThe title of this slide says it all.Sep 26, 2004
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11 - Ice Guard Construction Nearly Complete729 viewsThe frame for the ice guard is basically complete. Soon it will be covered.Sep 26, 2004
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12 - Fence Installation and Ice Guard Completion701 viewsA very short (and hardly functional) fence is installed, and the ice guard is covered. Sep 26, 2004
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13 - Basically Complete724 viewsThis is a photo of the site at completion.Sep 26, 2004
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01 - Before615 viewsThis is a photo simulation of the site prior to the installation of the concrete base. (SORT by "TITLE +" or "TITLE -" in the upper right of the thumbnail frame to see these photos in the proper order!)Sep 26, 2004
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02 - Concrete Base Installed624 viewsThis photo simulation shows the base installed before the installation of the "trunk" of the cell pine.Sep 26, 2004
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03 - Trunk Installed673 viewsThe "trunk" of the cell pine is installed on the concrete base. Note the pegs used to receive the branches, and the cable portal at the top of the trunk.Sep 26, 2004
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04 - Cables Pulled in Trunk684 viewsThe coaxial cables that will be connected to the antenna are pulled from the BTS equipment to the top of the trunk. Photograph 16 in this gallery is an excellent, if long shot, of the equipment building seen here, above and behind our little tree.Sep 26, 2004
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05 - Antenna Bracket Assembly653 viewsA technician is constructing one of the two antenna support arms.Sep 26, 2004
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06 - Antenna Arms Installed651 viewsThe antenna support arms are installed. The coaxial cables are fanned out to the arms to match to the antennas that will be installed later.Sep 26, 2004
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07 - Antennas Installed, Connected713 viewsThe techs have installed the panel antennas on the arms, and are now connecting the coaxial cables to the antennas.Sep 26, 2004
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08 - Faux Branches Installed1175 viewsOur little tree is taking shape now the branches have been installed. Notice the unprotected coaxial cables running to the tree near the base (right side).Sep 26, 2004
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Not much water, but lots of signal1553 viewsLocated in at a shopping center in Oxnard, California, the cell antennas are located below the faux water tank.3 commentsSep 26, 2004
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Hot zone? What hot zone?699 viewsThis roof-top site (now removed) used cheezy plastic safety cones with pasted-on warning signs to alleged mark the edge of the general population/uncontrolled RF zone. Note the two cones at rear-right that have blown over. A very effective warning technique, eh?Sep 26, 2004
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Two levels? No problem!536 viewsThis cell site, located on Yerba Buena Island in the San Francisco Bay serves both levels of the Bay Bridge.Sep 26, 2004
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"...before the mast"1069 viewsHere's what the camo cell palm looked before the bolt-on antennas were added (see "What's below the fans?" photograph in this section).Sep 26, 2004
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What's that below the fans?1188 viewsTake one poorly configured camouflaged cell palm tree and then abandon any desire to keep it camouflaged. How? Just add non-camo antennas bolted onto the 'trunk' below the fans as seen in this photograph. To see what this cell palm looked like before the addition of the bolt-on antennas, see "...before the mast" in this section!Sep 26, 2004
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Lattice but not a tower876 viewsThe antennas at this site in Santa Monica, California are partiallyhidden behind the lattice above the roof. A better design would have required the two visible antenna pole mounts to be cut off above the antennas so as to be hidden from view.Sep 26, 2004
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Mismatched Bricks1287 viewsHere is an example of a faux building extension with a poorly matched 'brick' facing. There's no doubt that this design does not effectively hide the antennas behind the faux brick facing. Notice that no effort was made to match the brick patter of the underlying building thereby highlighting the 'out of place' nature of the extension.
1 commentsSep 26, 2004
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Penthouse external mounted site444 viewsThis is a plain, externally mounted cell site on a commercial office building. Note the GPS (timing) antenna well above the roof line, which might have been mounted at the roof level to minimize its visibility from ground level without impairing its function.Sep 26, 2004
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Major Macrocell Site (multiple carriers)486 viewsThis is an example of a traditional multiple carrier macrocell site. Note the large microwave antennas facing to the right: They are used to provide high-reliability connection of this site to the MTSO some 25 miles away.Sep 24, 2004
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Cell site on a Call Box616 viewsThis cell site uses a travelers call box as the antenna support. The equipment is located just beyond the railing in the underground enclosure. Near Pt. Mugu, California.Sep 24, 2004
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PGE Transmission Tower Cell Site411 viewsSpotted in Walnut Creek, California: A cell site mounted atop a PGE transmission tower. Sep 24, 2004
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Sign of the times (1 of 2)1431 viewsThe cell site antenna is seen at the top of the outdoor advertising sign. Spotted in Connecticut.Sep 24, 2004
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Sign of the times (2 of 2)1074 viewsNotice how the base station equipment is mounted on the advertising sign pole mount.Sep 24, 2004
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Strand-mounted cell site (Sprint)644 viewsThis is a Sprint cell site using the cable TV system to connect users to the MTSO. Irvine, CA.Sep 24, 2004
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More Waves and Waves937 viewsA very large flagpole cell site in Southgate, California.Sep 24, 2004
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Chester, PA Cell Site527 viewsAttention KMART shoppers! Now you can show for sundries and signal at the same time!Sep 24, 2004
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Cell site in Salzburg, Austria412 viewsWhile in Salzburg to lecture at the Center for International Legal Studies I snapped this photo of a cell site across the street from my hotel room.Sep 24, 2004
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Old Power Tower = New Cell Tower433 viewsThe power utility removed its wires from this old transmission tower, but still uses it to support a cell site.Sep 24, 2004
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Close-up of anti-Bird-bomb net over antennas578 viewsHere's a close-up photo of the net placed over the antennas to keep the birds off (and to keep them from bombing the cars below)! Jul 06, 2004
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What's that wrapping around the antennas?577 viewsHere's an interesting site (close up in next photo). Notice that there are cars parked in the auto body shop lot directly below the antennas. Perhaps birds like to take aim and, er, hit the cars below. What a clever carrier solution! Put a net around the antennas to keep the birds off. Jul 06, 2004
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Cell Pine (multiple carrirers)1357 viewsCell pine tree (multi carriers) with more antennas mounted on the building in the background.1 commentsJul 02, 2004
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Sending out 'the word'1833 viewsA cell site within a church cross. The antennas are behind removable panels above the cross arm. The equipment cabinets are behind the brick wall to the right in the picture.1 commentsJul 02, 2004
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Pt. Sur (Ca.) Lighthouse Water Tank1209 viewsAT&T Wireless rebuilt this tank in Big Sur to house a cell site (thanks to Neal McLain for this photo). Check out Neal's site www.antennastructures.blogspot.com.Apr 07, 2004
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Cellular Pine Tree1339 viewsIn the Sepulveda Pass between West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley (California). 2 commentsApr 07, 2004
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Welcome to Town!1289 viewsHere's a clever way of hidding a cell site inside a City sign.Apr 07, 2004
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A Blessed Signal1169 viewsSpreading the word from the tower of a church.Apr 07, 2004
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Spectrum from the Spectrum1222 viewsThis camo cell site is at the Irvine (California) Spectrum shopping center.Apr 07, 2004
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Semi-camo tower506 viewsThe Santa Monica Mountains frame this cell site, located along Interstate 405 near the Getty Center in Los Angeles.Apr 07, 2004
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Cell site crowning a power transmission tower497 viewsThis cell site, in Walnut Creek, California, is atop a PG&E power transmission tower.Apr 07, 2004
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The Tower Works LTD845 viewsThis structurally attractive tower is in Mangonia Park just north of West Palm Beach. The tower is just over 500 feet tall. I had a delightful chat with Marlin of TTW about her tower. She shared some great stories - and frustrations - about this and other towers she's been involved with.1 commentsMar 28, 2004
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Camo-ish on-building cell site (close-up)1455 viewsLook at how the antennas are covered with the brick-link material. Also note the color bands on the antenna cables. The color bands are used to show the service technician which cables are for transmitting, and which are receiving. The color bands also indicate additional information such as the antenna 'sector' and data transmission.Mar 09, 2004
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Camo-ish on-building cell site1093 viewsThis is an example of how surface mounted antennas can be detailed to blend, if not disappear, into the background of the structure.Mar 09, 2004
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Short Flag Pole1250 viewsUS/Mexican Relations.Feb 19, 2004
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What time is it?1585 viewsIt's time to make a cell phone call. This is a multiple carrier cell site.Feb 19, 2004
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Camo site atop broadcast center1857 viewsMajor network studio in Los Angeles. Transmission facilities hidden behind decorative work on top of the building. 1 commentsJan 29, 2004
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Nextel antenna structure on top of an industrial building574 viewsOpen antenna structures have little impact in industrial areas.Jan 29, 2004
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Antenna arrays mounted on transmission towers511 viewsClose-up view of an antenna array mounted on a power transmission tower. Jan 29, 2004
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Wireless sites on power transmission towers600 viewsA new trend to install wireless antenna arrays on high voltage power transmission towers. These new co-location sites are gaining popularity due their preexisting right of ways and available height. Jan 29, 2004
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Close-up of antennas on pine tree stealth site1234 viewsHere is a close-up of the antenna mounting pattern on the pine tree stealth site. Jan 29, 2004
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Pine tree stealth site2138 viewsWhile it stands alone above the hill, this is actually a very good camouflaged site. Sufficient faux foliage coverage to hide antennas. 1 commentsJan 29, 2004
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Unhidden and hidden1411 viewsOn this hillside are located two wireless structures. One is obviously not hidden and the other one is. Jan 29, 2004
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Disguised as Bricks1557 viewsAnother example of disguise painting used to conceal antennas on a complex surface. From a distance, they are barely noticeable. Jan 29, 2004
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Surface mounted antennas sometimes just require matching paint517 viewsThis surface mount wireless site is less visible due to the use of matching paint on the antenna radomes. Less visible, but not a true camouflage site. Jan 29, 2004
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Close-up of antenna disguise fascia1341 viewsHere is a close-up photo of the false wall or fascia hiding these antennas. A better design would have completely hidden the antennas.Jan 29, 2004
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Roof fascia.1337 viewsHidden by a false fascia, the antennas on top of this building are barely noticeable.Jan 29, 2004
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Simple plastic covering.1493 viewsThis antenna structure looks more like a large swamp cooler on top of a building, but it is constructed out of translucent plastic panels to shield from view, but not interfere with RF. Jan 29, 2004
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Disguise site to look like a chimney1371 viewsThis antenna site in Los Angeles is designed to look like a chimney. Note the panel covers. Jan 29, 2004
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False 3rd story on office building1785 viewsAntenna room constructted on top of an existing office building. Windows are not real, but instead painted upon translucent plastic materia. Roof room accessible from access door on right end. Jan 29, 2004
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Southern California palm tree cell site.1879 viewsAlong side a major freeway in the Los Angeles area, this cell site is hardly noticeable from the freeway. Jan 29, 2004
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Disguised as part of the brickwork1493 viewsThis antenna array is cleverly painted to match the color and texture of the building. Downtown LA intersection, yet barely noticeable.Jan 29, 2004
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On top of a roof access.1334 viewsFalse cupola constructed around the top of a roof access doorway. Conceals antennas.Jan 29, 2004
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Freeway wireless site563 viewsThis double wireless array is situated on a building located immediately adjacent to the I-5 Freeway in Los Angeles. Jan 19, 2004
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Multipurpose monopole589 viewsThis tall monopole belonging to a Southern California radio station is occupied at several levels by various communications services. Jan 19, 2004
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Another sickly cell-pine1956 viewsIt looks like hardly any imagination was used to design this sad tree tower site.1 commentsJan 19, 2004
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"We Come In Peace!"721 viewsWater tank cell and microwave site south of Sacramento, California along I-5Dec 31, 2003
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Cell site on power transmission pole484 viewsThis site in located in British Columbia, Canada.Dec 31, 2003
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Cell site on power transmission pole549 viewsThis site in located in British Columbia, Canada.Dec 31, 2003
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Microcell mounted in traffic signal light standard695 viewsThe cell antennas are pointed to cover short street segments on Ventura Blvd east and west of Laurel Canyon Blvd. San Fernando Valley, California.Dec 31, 2003
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Camouflaged flagpoles1846 viewsSpotted in Glendale, California.Dec 31, 2003
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Camofulaged AML Receive Site?2736 viewsBack in 1983 Storer Cable was trying to secure a microwave-receive site on a hillside in San Juan Capistrano. The architect retained by Storer lost most of his hair trying to get a design that would pass muster with the City. One night, in a fit of frustration, he came up with this design. We never submitted this one to the City. Pity. It would have been fun!Dec 31, 2003
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Faux chimney antenna site 2 of 22925 viewsThe antennas are in a faux chimney (center of roof).Dec 31, 2003
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Faux chimney antenna site 1 of 23977 viewsThe antennas are in a faux chimney. The base station equipment is adjacent to the house in the lower right portion of the photo. Spotted in Southern California.Dec 31, 2003
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Cell site, microwave mounted on wood pole1098 viewsWe don't need no stinking steel tower!1 commentsDec 31, 2003
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Pole-mounted Microcell1304 viewsThis wireless microcell provides uninterrupted coverage on a busy major highway in a steep winding canyon on the Southern California coast. Dec 31, 2003
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Cell site in parking lot1676 viewsNotice the addition of the lot lights. Dec 31, 2003
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