FCC registration

[tcm66]

I had to go to a tower compound today and look at a site. The tower was about 120 feet with three carriers. The site had the tower company name, site number and address. When I looked for the FCC number it said it was not required. I thought all cellular towers had to get FCC registered. What criteria is used to determine when a cellular tower does not need FCC registration? I thought they all would neded to be FCC registered since they are sending out signals even if they are at a smaller height.

[Fathead]

Originally Posted by tcm66

I had to go to a tower compound today and look at a site. The tower was about 120 feet with three carriers. The site had the tower company name, site number and address. When I looked for the FCC number it said it was not required. I thought all cellular towers had to get FCC registered. What criteria is used to determine when a cellular tower does not need FCC registration? I thought they all would neded to be FCC registered since they are sending out signals even if they are at a smaller height.

I don't think all PCS towers have to registered.

[TelcomJunkie]

You can register any tower with the FCC, but only those that are 200ft or higher or near an airport are REQUIRED to be registered with them. Generally speaking, if the FAA needs to be notified of the tower then so does the FCC. Once registered you have certain rules to follow regarding signage, lighting and painting.

[TelcomJunkie]

Originally Posted by Fathead

I don't think all PCS towers have to registered.

No, in fact most cellular towers in most metropolitan areas don't have to be registered. Only in areas where you have larger coverage areas with taller towers will FCC registration come into play.

[larry]

I've seen some Sprint towers that were only 50 ft. registered with the FCC. I've also seen others that were over 150 ft. not registered. So I think there are a number of factors that come into play here.

Robert,

Isn't the normal criteria 200 feet above sea level? Or the tower itself being over 200 feet (regardless of height above sea level)?

[TelcomJunkie]

Originally Posted by larry

I've seen some Sprint towers that were only 50 ft. registered with the FCC. I've also seen others that were over 150 ft. not registered. So I think there are a number of factors that come into play here.

Robert,

Isn't the normal criteria 200 feet above sea level? Or the tower itself being over 200 feet (regardless of height above sea level)?

It get a little complex as there are a lot of variables that come into play. First off is the main one, near an airport. They use a slope ratio calculation, based on your distance from the airport to determine if you need to have it registered, or painted, or lighted, or all of the above.

Then there is the 200ft rule, if a highest point on the tower is 200ft or more above ground level, registration is required. UNLESS the 200ft tower is blocked by other means such as skyscrapers. If man made or natural objects block the tower from airplanes you don't need to register it.

To top this all off there is the 20 ft rule. Which says that if you add an antenna or tower to the top of a tall building and the tip of the antenna brings the building over 200ft tall, but the antenna is within 20ft of the top of the building then registration ISN'T required. If the tip of the antenna is higher than 20ft off the top of the building then registration IS required.

So if I didn't confuse you enough...

[larry]

Wow complicated stuff there.

[TelcomJunkie]

Originally Posted by larry

Wow complicated stuff there.

Oh and of course, if you're below any of these requirements feel free to register, it's just not mandatory.

[davewsward]

Be careful of FCC databases. There are lots of errors, especially in the coordinates. See www.towermaps.com/fcc.html for a discussion.

- David Ward


http://www.towermaps.com