> http://alaska.coastguard.dodlive.mil/files/2012/01/DSCN1854.jpg
More like this one, only much bigger and even more filled in. The one
we're battling right now is near the Bearing Sea and on top of a 1500'
hill. There is a localized condition there, not unlike Mt. Washington,
where the winds intensify and the icing does very strange things. The
microwave dishes are somewhat heated and having 3500 watts erp is
supposed to keep the domes clear, but in this case, half the domes are
buried and non-functional.
Originally, the tower was about 150', but several years ago, they
lopped the top 60' off because the combined wind and ice loading was
too severe and the tower was getting severely damaged. In fact, even
after shortening the tower, they had to replace all the horizontal
bracing again as they were all bent and buckled. Numerous diagonal
wire braces were added. Every year we have to do extensive repairs.
Fortunately, it's only six miles from the local village. We have
towers hundreds of miles from nowhere that are only accessible by
helicopter for just a couple months a year. The fuel tanks hold over
two years of fuel just in case we can't fly more in during any one
year.
AG Schnozz
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