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Hinged monopoles for telecoms (GSM-R). Alan Crawley, Project Engineer (Civils). Radio sites = Working at height …a lot!. GSMR’s project scope (amongst many other things) is to build circa 2,500 radio base stations, consisting of: Every radio site has an antenna support structure.
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Hinged monopoles for telecoms(GSM-R) Alan Crawley, Project Engineer (Civils) Hinged Monopoles for Telecoms
Radio sites = Working at height …a lot! • GSMR’s project scope (amongst many other things) is to build circa 2,500 radio base stations, consisting of: • Every radio site has an antenna support structure. • Structures vary in height from 5m to 29m. • Structures have a minimum of 2 antennae, which are bulky, and tricky to fix to the structure, especially at 29m AGL. Hinged Monopoles for Telecoms
Typical GSMR construction phase • Crane build where possible, however the remote nature of GSMR sites make crane access very difficult, usually requiring ‘Derrick’ build. • Even when crane build is possible, the fragile nature of the rigging equipment mean that rigging can only be done when the structure is fixed in position. We still have to climb! • Current structures comply with working at height regulations, but it would be great to have another method to reduce the risk. Hinged Monopoles for Telecoms
Introducing the hinged monopole… • In conjunction with one of our suppliers, we asked their engineers to push the boundaries and use their expertise with hinged poles for artificial lighting to be applied to telecoms sites….. • NR’s owned land is long and narrow and is suited to the long footprint required for construction and maintenance access for a hinged monopole’. Hinged Monopoles for Telecoms
Monopole installation at ground level… • The first monopole section is secured by the hinge pin to the base section. • The hydraulic ram is fitted at 45 degrees between the 1st two components. This holds the 1st monopole length in position. • The second monopole section and head frame are then fitted, completing the monopole structure. Hinged Monopoles for Telecoms
Rigging at ground level…. • Bulky antennae easily located and secured onto the head frame. All ancillary items such as earth rods and cabling is also secured with ease. • One added advantage is that, while the rigging of the head frame is being carried out 15m from the final base position, work around the REB can continue where normally this would be an exclusion zone while rigging was in operation overhead. Hinged Monopoles for Telecoms
Time Lapse footage of an installation • Play video clip Hinged Monopoles for Telecoms
We can still do better….. • With every successful innovation, we tend to think..…. “Why didn’t we think of that before….?” • But, innovation doesn’t always provide something ‘better’……. • For the person who has to climb…! • Thanks for listening… Hinged Monopoles for Telecoms 8