Top Mount Antenna Replacement FAQs

There are several organizations that specialize in tower services, including antenna installation and maintenance. It’s crucial that you research the company’s qualifications, experience, safety records, and customer reviews before hiring them for your project. Precision Communications will be happy to supply you with information regarding our extensive experience and associated references.

The cost to replace a broadcast antenna on a communications tower can vary significantly depending on multiple factors such as the type and size of the antenna, the height of the tower, equipment costs, and accessibility of the site.

A rough estimate for replacing a small-to-medium-sized antenna can range from $10,000 to $50,000, while larger and more complex antennas might cost between $50,000 to $200,000 or more. Additionally, you may need to consider the cost of temporary access roads, project permits, crane rentals, and other logistical requirements.

For a more accurate estimate, it’s recommended to contact a professional tower construction and antenna installation company in your area, who can help evaluate your specific needs and provide a tailored quote based on your project details.

Helicopters are used in the replacement of broadcast antennas.  This is traditionally an expensive option and tower owners must factor in the potential of needing to rent a tower for multiple days if weather does not cooperate on the day you are looking to make a pick.  

Why would I use a helicopter to replace my broadcast antenna? 

There are several factors that a broadcaster may choose to use a helicopter to replace their antenna.  These factors include:

When completion time is of the essence

When interference with other tenants on a tower needs to be avoid

When site limitations of structural issues prevent traditional gin pole usage

An ATSC 3.0 antenna is designed for receiving signals in the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard, which offers several benefits compared to the previous ATSC 1.0 standard:

1. Improved picture and sound quality: ATSC 3.0 supports 4K UHD resolution and High Dynamic Range (HDR) for enhanced image quality. It also offers advanced audio features like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for immersive sound.
2. Better reception: ATSC 3.0 utilizes the OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) modulation technique, which is less susceptible to interference and provides more robust signal reception, especially in challenging environments.
3. Greater spectrum efficiency: ATSC 3.0 allows broadcasters to transmit multiple channels within the same bandwidth as a single channel in the previous standard, resulting in more content options for viewers.
4. Enhanced emergency alerts: ATSC 3.0 supports Advanced Emergency Information (AEI) systems, providing more detailed and location-specific information during emergency situations, which can be life-saving in some cases.
5. Internet integration: ATSC 3.0 allows for hybrid services, blending broadcast TV with internet-delivered content, which enables interactive experiences and personalized content recommendations.
6. Mobile device compatibility: ATSC 3.0 supports reception on mobile devices, making it possible to watch broadcast TV on smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices.

Keep in mind that an ATSC 3.0 antenna alone won’t provide these benefits, as the signal also needs to be processed by an ATSC 3.0-compatible TV, set-top box or tuner to take full advantage of the new features.

For a small to medium sized antenna, this could take 1 to 2 weeks to replace. 

Larger antennas could have a project schedule that is closer to 3 to 4 weeks depending on complexity.  These times do not factor in lead times for equipment fabrication.