TL Radio Relay Hut with Parabolic Antennae
Openwire

by

Douglas G. Schema

TL Radio Relay Hut with Parabolic Antennae
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TL Radio Relay Hut with Parabolic Antennae
This Philco Microwave System is installed in a hut located not far from the Colorado border. It is largely intact, with one passive reflector missing, but both 70' poles standing with a passive reflector to the west. The installation was probably constructed in the early 1950s. It is a marvel that this short-hop radio system yet remains and in such good condition. This installation is owned by a cooperative telephone company, but GT&E and the Bell System operated similar installations. AT&T used to call them "TL Radio Two-pole Radio Towers," and are included in the Bell System Practices under Open Wire Construction . . . oddly enough . . . presumably because wooden structures were used as supports--including crossarms to attach the microwave equipment at the base. This installation features a "hut" for this equipment.