Signal towers are ancient communication devices that have evolved to include radio, TV, and cell phone signal towers. They were used for optical telegraphy, railroads, and lighthouses. However, they can be vulnerable to high winds and finding space in populated areas can be difficult.
A signal tower is a device that can receive and send signal information for many different purposes. Signal towers are an ancient communication device, dating back to the use of fire or smoke as a means to convey a message. Today, signal towers are used in nearly every form of communication, from radio and TV broadcasting towers to cell phone signal towers.
The first signal towers were understandably low-tech means of communication. The Great Wall of China had a network of tall towers where news of attacks or raids could be relayed along the wall by lighting a signal fire. During the Roman occupation of Britain around the 2nd century, heavily fortified signal towers were incorporated into the construction of Hadrian’s Wall. The first lighthouses were signal towers for ships at sea, using light angled through a refracting mirror to warn captains of approaching land, reef, or rocks. These early forms of signal tower are often called optical telegraph towers.
Railroads have also long used signal towers to warn drivers of changes or problems on the tracks ahead. Acting as a sort of rail traffic fixture, these towers are elevated to be in a highly visible position for oncoming trains. Older railroad signal towers had human operators who used flag semaphores to pass information to locomotives. Today, most railway signal towers are automated and use a system of semaphores.
With the development of radio wave technology came the invention of the radio signal tower, a tall, light structure equipped with antennas to receive and transmit radio signals. The great signal towers of the 20th century, radio towers reach dizzying heights and are instrumental in the transmission of radio signals, including television signals. The world’s tallest radio signal tower is the KVLY TV Mast in North Dakota, reaching 2063 feet (20 m).
Cellular signal towers are modified radio towers that create cell phone networks. Many cell towers are actually mounted on skyscrapers to give them extra reach. Common features of a cell tower include antennas, signal transmitters, and global positioning devices. With extensive updates to cell phone technology requiring increased transmission capacities, many old towers are being torn down and replaced by new models that offer better range and more power.
Signal towers, while infinitely useful, can still be plagued with a variety of problems. The towers, while huge, are often constructed of lightweight material out of necessity, leaving the tower vulnerable to high winds and collapse. In densely populated areas, finding places for new signal towers can be difficult, causing reductions in transmission range and power. Areas with complicated topography can also create problems for the signal tower, as the tower may not be tall enough to avoid running into natural signal blocks, such as mountains.
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