{"id":64187,"date":"2025-10-08T06:03:18","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T10:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=64187"},"modified":"2025-10-08T06:03:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T10:03:18","slug":"practical-engineering-the-bizarre-bases-of-antenna-towers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/10\/practical-engineering-the-bizarre-bases-of-antenna-towers\/","title":{"rendered":"Practical Engineering: The Bizarre Bases of Antenna Towers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Mount-Pisgah-Tower-1.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-50011\" src=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Mount-Pisgah-Tower-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Mount-Pisgah-Tower-1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Mount-Pisgah-Tower-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Mount-Pisgah-Tower-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Mount-Pisgah-Tower-1-624x832.jpeg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a>Many thanks to <em>SWLing Post<\/em> contributor Mark Hirst, who shares the following note:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">One of my favourite channels just posted a video on the structural engineering challenges of tall radio masts.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"625\" height=\"352\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3nDdLiXS5wk?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">Mark<\/p>\n<p><strong>This is a fascinating video. Thank you, Mark!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mark Hirst, who shares the following note: One of my favourite channels just posted a video on the structural engineering challenges of tall radio masts. Mark This is a fascinating video. Thank you, Mark!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3],"tags":[5458,10008,1355],"class_list":["post-64187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-mark-hirst","tag-practical-engineering","tag-radio-towers"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-gHh","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":54627,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/11\/practical-engineering-how-would-a-nuclear-emp-affect-the-power-grid\/","url_meta":{"origin":64187,"position":0},"title":"Practical Engineering: How Would a Nuclear EMP Affect the Power Grid?","author":"Thomas","date":"November 15, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst who shares the following video from Practical Engineering on YouTube: https:\/\/youtu.be\/FksEGpBLfis Click here to view on YouTube. As I've mentioned in past articles, I believe taking some precautions against EMPs is important. While I feel that an intentional nuclear EMP is unlikely,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Power-Outage-Power-Lines-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Power-Outage-Power-Lines-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Power-Outage-Power-Lines-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Power-Outage-Power-Lines-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Power-Outage-Power-Lines-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61891,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/02\/radio-sighting-in-the-k-drama-happiness\/","url_meta":{"origin":64187,"position":1},"title":"Radio Sighting in the K-Drama Happiness","author":"Thomas","date":"February 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mark Hirst, who writes: I spotted this radio in the Korean zombie outbreak drama 'Happiness' currently showing on Netflix. You've got sharp eyes, Mark! Can anyone positively identify that transceiver in the background?","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Happiness-Radio.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Happiness-Radio.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Happiness-Radio.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Happiness-Radio.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45443,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/help-mark-identify-this-radio-in-the-new-avengers\/","url_meta":{"origin":64187,"position":2},"title":"Help Mark identify this radio in The New Avengers","author":"Thomas","date":"September 22, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who writes with another mystery radio to identify: This radio (see photo above) is featured in the mid 1970's TV show 'The New Avengers', an episode called \"To Catch a Rat\". Mysterious morse code messages are being intercepted in this scene. Can\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Nostalgia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Nostalgia","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/nostalgia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/The-New-Avengers-To-Catch-a-Rat.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/The-New-Avengers-To-Catch-a-Rat.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/The-New-Avengers-To-Catch-a-Rat.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/The-New-Avengers-To-Catch-a-Rat.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/The-New-Avengers-To-Catch-a-Rat.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/The-New-Avengers-To-Catch-a-Rat.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31292,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/ever-ready-model-n-attache-case-radio-spotted-in-charity-shop\/","url_meta":{"origin":64187,"position":3},"title":"Ever Ready Model N attache case radio spotted in charity shop","author":"Thomas","date":"March 22, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who writes: A vintage radio appeared briefly in one of my local charity shops. A little Googling turned up this video (part 1 of 2) showing an example in operation: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gsklRHrIeOI Click here to view Part 1 on YouTube. https:\/\/youtu.be\/l87UQk9eFwo Click here\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AM&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Attache-Case-Radio-Briefcase-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Attache-Case-Radio-Briefcase-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Attache-Case-Radio-Briefcase-1024x768.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24211,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/mark-spots-a-national-ncx-3-in-fargo-season-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":64187,"position":4},"title":"Mark spots a National NCX-3 in Fargo season 2","author":"Thomas","date":"February 16, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who writes: I'm currently enjoying season 2 of Fargo on Netflix. This radio popped up in episode 9, in use by the South Dakota police. Sharp eyes, Mark! I'm impressed with the number of radio sightings you find in present-day\u00a0TV and film.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Art&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Art","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/art-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SX-99-Dial-Nar.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SX-99-Dial-Nar.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SX-99-Dial-Nar.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SX-99-Dial-Nar.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":33022,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/mark-decodes-sstv-images-from-international-space-station\/","url_meta":{"origin":64187,"position":5},"title":"Mark decodes SSTV images from International Space Station","author":"Thomas","date":"June 30, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who shares the following SSTV images transmitted by the International Space Station: Wow! These are great catches, Mark! Thank you for sharing.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Ham Radio&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Mark-ISS-Image-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Mark-ISS-Image-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Mark-ISS-Image-3.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64187"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64188,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64187\/revisions\/64188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}