Dr. Jonathan Kramer's Cell Tower Photo Gallery

Copyright 2000-2023 Dr. Jonathan Kramer


Most viewed - Construction of KMLT-FM - Truly an Underground FM Station! (Welcome CGC readers!)
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Chris Hicks, Chief Engineer1186 viewsChris Hicks is the Amaturo Group's RF engineer responsible for getting the new KMLT from dirt to on-the-air. He's (proudly) standing by the KMLT transmitter, which is temporarily installed in a trailer while the permanent underground transmitter building is being constructed nearby.1 comments
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Looking at the antenna of an FM broadcast station1134 viewsThis is the omni-directional cross-polarization antenna used at KMLT-FM in Thousand Oaks, California. It's a one-of-a-kind antenna design by SPX Corporation's Dielectric division.
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RF Safety testing at an FM broadcast station990 viewsThis is a photograph of RF engineer Joel Saxberg conducting signal strength measurements to determine the boundary to the general population/uncontrolled area around the antenna. Due to signal strength of the station, a fence will be placed around the antenna site to keep out the public out of the RF controlled zone.1 comments
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Connecting the coax and ground strap to the antenna and post838 viewsThe transmitter coaxial cable (black) connects to the rigid coaxial rider inside the antenna support to feed the antenna. The very wide copper strap provides an unbroken ground connection between the antenna and the underground transmitter building about 700 feet away.
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The Business End of KMLT821 viewsThis is a closeup of KMLT's transmitter antenna. A simple, elegant design. May, 2006.
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Looking at the antenna of an FM broadcast station757 viewsHere's a photograph of KMLT-FM's antenna and supporting post from a vantage point near the location.
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RF Safety testing at an FM broadcast station (#2)726 viewsTesting the level of RF emissions to determine compliance with FCC OET 65. The engineer in the picture is Joel Saxberg of Beem Co., a contractor of KMLT-FM in Thousand Oaks, California1 comments
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Rebar cage for underground transmitter building719 viewsHere's a good show showing how much rebar has been placed in the past 7 days (see the other photo in this gallery). The temporary transmitter trailer is shown in the background. Chris Hicks, the RF engineer responsible for making this site operational, is in the white shorts behind/above the excavation.1 comments
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Panoramic view of the KMLT work site and antenna697 viewsThe trailer with the cable reel on top is the temporary transmitter location; the permanent underground transmitter building is behind the below the portable chain link fence behind the Bobcat. Zoom in on the ridge line to just make out the antenna location.1 comments
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KMLT Antenna and Support681 viewsThe steel pole supporting the antenna is now painted blue to help it blend into the sky background.1 comments
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Inside the Transmitter Vault676 viewsLooking northwest, this photo shows the air conditioning ports and the entry door.
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KMLT On-the-Air and Out-of-Sight672 viewsCompare this photograph of the 'finished product' with photos I took during construction. Chris Hicks, the City of Thousand Oaks, and COSCA worked together to create an invisible transmitter shelter in 'open space.' May, 2006.
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Painting on the Sky 1 of 6669 viewsAs a condition of its City of Thousand Oaks construction permit, KMLT is required to paint the antenna pole sky blue. This photo shows the crane and bucket used as the painting platform. May, 2005.

Photo thanks to Bill Cloutier.
1 comments
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Hey, it's a good thing they got the weatherproofing on the building!639 viewsIt's been raining 'round our soon-to-be underground friend. Notice that the conduits are extended through the precast holes.1 comments
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Painting on the Sky 6 of 6635 viewsThe pole is now painted. May, 2005.

Photo thanks to Bill Cloutier.
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KMLT Transmitter Vault Hatch...almost624 viewsThe site will awaits a metal hatch for the transmitter vault to complete the site security.
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Painting on the Sky 2 of 6623 viewsBill's in the bucket applying primer, then paint, to the PCV pole supporting KMLT's antenna.

Photo thanks to Bill Cloutier.
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View inside the Transmitter Vault606 viewsHere's a view facing southwest inside the equipment vault. The large openings are for air conditioning. The cable conduit entry ports can be seen in the upper-far corner of the same wall. Photo by Bill Cloutier.
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Painting on the Sky 3 of 6583 viewsBill continues his way down the the PCV pole supporting KMLT's antenna.

Photo thanks to Bill Cloutier.
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KMLT's Antenna and Support Pole570 viewsThis photograph captures the final execution of KMLT's antenna. Yes, the steel support pole is painted sky blue. May 2006.
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Painting on the Sky 6 of 6567 viewsA close up of Bill priming the next section of the pole, and...from the looks of it...part of his left hand.
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KMLT Antenna and Support564 viewsThe steel pole supporting the antenna is now painted blue to help it blend into the sky background.
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Constructing the underground transmitter building for KMLT-FM550 viewsThis photograph shows the excavation and initial construction for the underground transmitter building to house KMLT-FM in Thousand Oaks, California. If you look carefully at the middle of the ridgeline you can just see the antenna and antenna post about 700 feet away.
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Cabinet Pads in the Transmitter Vault538 viewsThe raised concrete pads lift the transmitter and air conditioning cabinets off of the floor. That's real handy where water might pool around it, don't ya know! Photo by Bill Cloutier.
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KMLT Almost Buried - Just a few weeks of work left!537 viewsThe underground transmitter building is almost complete. Just waiting on the stairs and hatch to be installed. The fencing is still not in final shape at the antenna. Most of the construction 'stuff' has left the site for points unknown. April 2005.
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KMLT Almost Buried530 viewsIf you compare this photo with past photos you'll notice that half the transmitter building is now buried. When complete only the ground level access in the foreground of the building will remain. The pullbox to the left of center is for electrical power. The pullbox to the far right is for the coaxial egress point to feed the antenna.
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Rebar cage for underground transmitter building - From ramp520 viewsAnother shot of the rebar that forms the soon-to-be underground transmitter building. The roadway in the background goes to the antenna site, adjacent to a camouflaged water tank.
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Painting on the Sky 5 of 6519 viewsBill's painting on the sky!
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KMLT Panorama - Almost Done515 viewsThe site is nearly complete. Transmitter vault awaits a final hatch assembly.
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Looking at the entry area.514 viewsHere's a good look at the entry area and the conduits extending from the transmitter building to what will be underground when the earth is pushed back around the building.
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View of the transmitter site from near the antenna site511 viewsHere's an updated view of the KMLT transmitter area take from about 600 fee up the hill (very near the antenna site).
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Waterproofing the KMLT transmitter building510 viewsThe external concrete forms and braces have been removed; the outside is treated for waterproofing; and the pre-cast holes to permit conduit/cable entry are now visible.
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KMLT Panorama - Almost Done509 viewsThe site is nearly complete. Transmitter vault awaits a final hatch assembly.
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Panoramic view of KMLT - 90% backfilled503 viewsThe entire 'back' portion of the transmitter building is now under dirt. Due to the new location of the trash bin, this panoramic photo is taken from a point to the north of the previous panoramic shots.
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Waterproofing the KMLT transmitter building499 viewsAnother view of the transmitter building and the waterproofing.
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KMLT's Antenna Fence Under Construction484 viewsThe fence being constructed is to keep the hikers in the area away from the antenna site. At the time this photo was snapped KMLT was operating from its old (aux) transmitter site some miles away.
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A Well-Done Grilled FM Station479 viewsKMLT's transmitter housing present appearance as of May, 2006 is virtually invisible. Easy to miss. Exactly what was intended! Outstanding work by Chris Hicks, KMLT's CE, the City of Thousand Oaks Planning department, and the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency
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Panoramic view of the KMLT work site and antenna (Waterproofing)476 viewsThis panoramic view shows the worksite, the antenna and tower, and the transmitter building with the waterproofing applied to the walls.
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About 75 percent of the building is buried476 viewsThe backfill is covering the building up to about the 75% level. Soon it will be completely buried, and the transmitter and related equipment will be moved in.
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The walls are up...475 viewsThe concrete calls are poured and are hardening. Next, in about 6 days, comes the roof pour and cure.
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Panoramic view of the KMLT work site and antenna (Roof on)475 viewsThis is an updated panoramic shot of the job site and antenna. The roof is now on the building. Photo taken on a weekend (no workers present).
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Panoramic view of the KMLT work site and antenna (Zoom shot)473 viewsThis close-up panoramic shot shows the transmitter site as seen (well, actually, not seen) from near the antenna site.
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Gimme a Transmitter with Mustard!471 viewsAnother view of the at-grade grill over the transmitter room at KMLT. May 2006
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Panoramic view of KMLT - 75% backfilled465 viewsThis panoramic photo of the site shows the building backfill nearly complete. Soon it will be time to move in the transmitter and related equipment.
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KMLT's Roof is On460 viewsIn three weeks the roof will cure and dirt will be pushed to close in the hole.
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Where's the Transmitter?460 viewsLooking down from near the antenna, the underground FM transmitter housing is nowhere to be seen! May 2006.
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KMLT's Antenna Fence Under Construction458 viewsAnother view of the antenna, and the fence being constructed is to keep the hikers away from the antenna site.
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Now the walls are up...447 views...another view with the side walls poured. The roof is yet to come.
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Panoramic view near antenna looking at the KMLT work site439 viewsHere's a good overview of the KMLT transmitter site, under construction, and the City of Thousand Oaks in the background. The camera position is about 30 feet south of the antenna.
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Panoramic view of KMLT after a rain...427 views...well, really, a significant Southern California storm on December 29, 2004.
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Panoramic view of the KMLT transmitter building407 viewsThe roof is on. Less than a month to go before the hole is closed and the building is buried.
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