need help identifying carrier by antennas

[Hatchetman41527]

Like the title says,

I need to attempt to identify the carrier via the antenna type/configuration. This is a new buildout on a local broadcast tower in our area. There is no readily available information from the locals, nor the radio station. Everyone has clammed up.

Anyway, the picture may be a little blurry or off somewhat due to the magnification, as this was taken at about 1/2 mile from site.

I also have not noticed any new home sprint service as of yet, nor any new nextel service in the area. There is a small T- Mobile GSM site on the same hill, but is on a 70 foot pole. This is about half way up a 450' tower at the top of the mountain.

Adjacent to the structure on a mountain across the river from it is a large free standing structure owned by Appalachian Wireless.

[RJB]

Just looking at this I would say tmobile but that is my guess.

[TelcomJunkie]

It reaks of a CDMA carrier such as Alltel or Sprint.

[Hatchetman41527]

Originally Posted by TelcomJunkie

It reaks of a CDMA carrier such as Alltel or Sprint.

Kinda what I thought.

Looks like a rural Sprint location. ya know.... One that doesn't handle a lot of traffic.

[Hatchetman41527]

Originally Posted by RJB

Just looking at this I would say tmobile but that is my guess.

T- Mobile has a small GSM site on the same hill, but on a different structure. Very small footprint. Maybe half a mile at most.

[TelcomJunkie]

Originally Posted by Hatchetman41527

Kinda what I thought.

Looks like a rural Sprint location. ya know.... One that doesn't handle a lot of traffic.

From just the antenna picture there really is no way to tell the difference between the two carrier,s Sprint or Alltel. Sometimes Alltel is using antennas that only come in 800mhz, but quite often the radomes of 800 and 1900 antennas are very similar and almost impossible to distinguish from a distant shot.

[MasterC]

I am taking a guess and saying Alltel, they seem to be the company expanding alot these days. But, what do I know?

[Day5InJanuary]

i am thinking sprint. my first guess was goin to be t-mobile, but after you stating that there is a t-mobile tower not to far away from the pictured tower. i would think spring. if you can get to the base of the tower and look on the shelter, or power pedastal, only official way of getting an accurate answer.

[KA3SGM]

They look like DAPA Communications 1900MHz panels, which I typically see used by Sprint.

AT&T and Verizon usually use 3 or 4 antennas per sector, and T-Mobile is typical to include TTA's (Tower Top Pre-Amps) which are about the size of a Brick, which you would also be able to see.

Not having other carriers here like Cricket or Alltel, I am not sure what to look for in that case....

I am thinking Sprint, is there any possibility of getting a look at the equipment on the ground???

[Hatchetman41527]

Originally Posted by KA3SGM

They look like DAPA Communications 1900MHz panels, which I typically see used by Sprint.

AT&T and Verizon usually use 3 or 4 antennas per sector, and T-Mobile is typical to include TTA's (Tower Top Pre-Amps) which are about the size of a Brick, which you would also be able to see.

Not having other carriers here like Cricket or Alltel, I am not sure what to look for in that case....

I am thinking Sprint, is there any possibility of getting a look at the equipment on the ground???

I no longer have access to this tower anymore. Back when I was in the radio repair biz, I knew the engineer for this station, but they were bought out by a large broadcasting firm from
Kentucky.

This tower is a combo FM/AM stick. It is 450' and the panels are 1/2 way up.

I have contacted every carrier that I could think of, and no one is owning up to it. The broadcast station will not tell who it is either. As of today, there is no home Sprint or Alltel signal coming from the area. Just SID 1290. Appalachian Wireless. Which has a monster tower across the river.

[KA3SGM]

Can you get any closer to the tower to possibly get a few photos of the ground equipment??

That would likely have someone here be able to nail down exactly who's panel sector antennas that they actually are.

Unfortunately, I have found myself ignoring No Trespass Signs, being armed with only a camera, and causing no harm whatsoever to the site.

I only do so when the Municipality has a Conditional Use Decision pending, and the site is well marked with Public notices of the additions and changes proposed to the site.

As a taxpayer, I should be able to check out the site where the changes are proposed, and offer any objections at the next Township Supervisors meeting.

[TelcomJunkie]

Originally Posted by KA3SGM

As a taxpayer, I should be able to check out the site where the changes are proposed, and offer any objections at the next Township Supervisors meeting.

Unfortunately the law and land owner will not agree with you. You're more than welcome to present your objections or concerns at the meeting, but a CUP does not imply or grant any right to pass on private property.

[KyleAndMelissa22]

To me those look like GSM antenna panels,
They look like the same design and style (setup) that most AT&T & SunCom sites use over here in SC.
but AT&T, thats just my guess.