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Alternative Sites. Dan Wilkinson Electrical Engineer President - Cody Park HOA. Minimum standard of Rezoning Resolution Section 17 2b. (1) & Tower Siting & Review Policy 1b. TLUP
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Alternative Sites Dan Wilkinson Electrical Engineer President - Cody Park HOA
Minimum standard of Rezoning Resolution Section 17 2b. (1) & Tower Siting & Review Policy 1b. TLUP The applicant must show that their proposed equipment cannot be accommodated and function….on any other existing facility. No Rezoning if Alternative Sites Exist
Issue: No Rezoning if Alternative Sites Exist Applicant mustprove that no alternative sites exist
Alternative Sites Do Exist • Lower Squaw Mountain • Other Sites with Standing Towers • 8 other sites in Jefferson County Ex. 5, 6 • 32 FCC registered towers over 252 feet (77 meters) high within 50 kilometers of Lookout Ex.4
Numerous Studies and Field Tests Support Alternative Sites • Comparison of Broadcast Tower Sites, Dec 2001, Broadcast Engineering Consultants • DTV Reception Study, May 2002, Al Hislop • Squaw Mountain DTV Field Study, November 2002, Squaw Mountain Communications (SMC) • Comments to Jefferson County Regarding Lower Squaw Mountain DTV Study, November 2002, Hartech, Inc. Theoretical studies provide predictions. Field studies provide facts.
Squaw Mountain Represents the Best Alternative Site • Safety: Few homes at same elevation as towers • Coverage: • Provides 98% of market with booster • Provides natural isolation from NIST quiet zone • Zoning: ODP grants three complete antenna sites • Assessibility: 2-wheel drive access year round • Visual Impact: No need for lighting or painting tower LSM effectively addresses market needs while in best interest of health, safety & welfare of community.
SMC DTV Field Study • Authorized by FCC • Demonstrates reception of low-power DTV • Most of Denver Metro area • Shadow areas of Jefferson county • Utilized only 2.4% of allowable power • Validates on-channel booster technology • Proves technology is easy and inexpensive
LCG Issues with Lower Squaw Mountain • Transmitters require more power • Lack of "vertical real estate" • Requires building space of 20,000 sq. ft. • Produces "shadow zones" • Boosters / repeaters not available • Digital users group claim reception problems
SMC DTV Field Study* Final conclusion: "With the addition of an On-Channel DTV Booster to fill in Boulder, any full power DTV facility on Squaw Mountain would provide a useable DTV signal over more than 98% of all of the population in the market area." * Squaw Mountain DTV Field Study, November 2002 Squaw Mountain Communications (SMC)
Hartech, Inc. Reviewed SMC DTV Field Study* Final conclusion: "Squaw Mountain should be considered as a potential alternative site to the front range sites for RF coverage of the Denver Metropolitan area." * Comments to Jefferson County Regarding Lower Squaw Mountain DTV Study, November 2002
Hartech, Inc. Supports the Following SMC Conclusions • A full power DTV facility on Squaw Mountain will cover virtually all the Denver Metro Area and beyond except for Boulder. • A DTV On-Channel Booster can be constructed rapidly and successfully to fill in important shadow areas such as Boulder. • The Boulder On-Channel Booster demonstrated that pockets of deep shadowing can be filled as desired.
Hartech, Inc. Supports the Following SMC Conclusions • A low power DTV On-Channel Booster was shown to cover most of Boulder. • Multipath is not a significant problem for DTV reception from Squaw Mountain. • Squaw Mountain is in fact a suitable site for Broadcast DTV service in the Denver Metropolitan area and beyond.
Hartech Comments Regarding Multipath Reception • "It appears that the only strong reflections which showed up were close to the test receiver sites..." • "We expected the multipath interference to be much more severe than that found..." • "...the effect of multipath was not nearly as destructive as we predicted." DTV receivers effectively manage multipath.
Hartech Comments Regarding Booster Tests • "... it appears a booster is needed in Boulder and will provide coverage." • "A booster will most likely be required by transmitters on Mount Morrison or Lookout Mountain to enlarge the Boulder area coverage." LCG will need a booster regardless of transmitter site.
Digital Users Group Claim Reception Problems • May have attempted reception while transmitter was not operating • Improper use of receiver equipment • Transmitter was operating at only 2.4% of total allowable ERP Digital Users Group did not coordinate with SMC test.
Why the Concern? • Long-term low power exposure • Experts in field suggest prudence to long-term low power RF effects • LCG not acting in best interests of community • Potential for increased exposure • Rotation of Lookout Mountain energy beam to address quiet areas not regulated by county • Ralston Elementary School is directly affected Your decision is permanent and has lasting effects.
Recommendations • LCG proposal must be denied • Studies support alternative sites • Not in best interest of health, safety & welfare of community • LCG has failed to prove its case • Support future studies concerning biological effects caused by long-term low power exposure to RF radiation