[GreenKeys] AT&T microwave tower

[amourdutigre]

The microwave tube on e-bay stirred a question in my mind that would go nicely here...

When I was a young boy, I remember seeing along the country highways these relatively low, broad for their height unguyed towers that had giant microwave horns shooting in opposite directions. They were fed with what I assume was wave guide. There was always a huge red aviation warning light on top even though the towers were relatively short, and there was always a late forties early fifties vintage brick and masonry building at the base of the tower with fence around it and a locked gate. I remember seeing these from the mid sixties to the mid seventies, and I assume that they were around a lot longer before. They were usually along the old (non-interstate...most of those had not been completed at the time) country highways. I have not seen one in many years. 

Along the same lines, many of the old telephone buildings had a rectangular enclosed tower on their roofs that had the same type of horn array. Now, only one telephone building any where around where I live has one left, probably because it has not been dismantled. The telephone building in Kansas City, MO had one on it for years before it was removed, and it used to be a prominent part of the skyline. Now it is gone.

Are there anymore of these microwave links left? Just before I started noticing that they were disappearing, I noticed that the horns were being replaced with passive reflectors that were themselves being illuminated by dishes at the base of the tower shooting straight up. 

I would love to hear more about these facilities, and any of the history surrounding them. Though I have never worked in the telecom industry, I have always had a great fascination with it, and have collected many artifacts associated with it.

Best and 73,

Joe KB0TXC
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