Tower Antenna

[zzz]

Does anyone know what these antennas are used for? I see them all over town.

 

[jbkalla]

Cell phone antennas, right?

https://dgtlinfra.com/cell-tower-locations-4g-lte-5g-towers/

[SteveShannon]

Yup, cell phone antennas.

[nokones]

What about a 700/800 MHz Smart Zone Trunking System? Wouldn't the said trunking system use an antenna array like that?

[SteveShannon]

21 minutes ago, nokones said:

What about a 700/800 MHz Smart Zone Trunking System? Wouldn't the said trunking system use an antenna array like that?

I’m not sure. The trunking systems around here don’t use that kind of antenna. 

[KAF6045]

I wouldn't expect trunking systems to need such. Cell phone towers perform triangulation (especially in the days before every phone had GPS capability) to optimize signals to phones, so having an array provides TDOA capability.

[buttholejim]

36 minutes ago, nokones said:

What about a 700/800 MHz Smart Zone Trunking System? Wouldn't the said trunking system use an antenna array like that?

Trunked public safety (fire/police) systems typically use radio towers separate from cell network towers. But, there's some exceptions. Private networks using PTT radios that use cellular phone networks is one. Most police departments use a combination of radio technology in their cruisers. Conventional trunked/repeater systems and cellular networks (for data). I'm no expert in the subject, but I suspect the reason is for redundancy, reliability, and security. In Colorado for example, the state operates a statewide trunked radio system for all public safety organizations. Remember that the cell phone networks (and their equipment/towers) are privately owned companies. Where public safety trunked systems are are owned and operated by various government agencies.

[kmcdonaugh]

Cell phone towers, specifically new 5G towers. Probably still has 4G as well. But 5G has much higher bandwidth, but does not have as much range