Selecting a Site

The goal of antenna site selection is to have a location that is free of radio frequency interference (RFI), has a clear view of the domestic satellite arc, and allows the earth terminal to be built unencumbered by zoning or other restrictions.

There are some general criteria for selecting a site:

Try to avoid areas of historical significance and areas where zoning variances or environmental clearances must be obtained through a local hearing process.
Find a site where the antenna can "see" all the satellites in the domestic satellite arc from 70° to 140° W.L. An imaginary cylinder which would emanate from the antenna must clear all objects such as fences, trees, buildings, flag poles, towers, windmills, etc. (Upon request, NPR Distribution will provide an arc diagram with instructions for use to assist in assuring this clearance.)
Try to find a site where there is negligible interference from the terrestrial facilities of common carriers operating in the 4 GHz band. NPR can provide further information on frequency coordination for prospective interconnected stations.
Try to find a site which is available for a term of at least ten years with an option for renewal. There is a risk of a costly move and future unavailability of an RFI-free site if only a shorter term is available.
If necessary, ensure that any cable or fiberoptic rights-of-way can be obtained for a term consistent with your access to the site itself. Determine the annual operating costs as well as installation charges.
Ensure that the site can be reached by trucks bringing concrete for the foundation and for the delivery of the antenna itself.
The site should be (or could be in the future) secured from vandalism.
The site should be protected from falling ice from nearby towers or buildings.
Construction should be able to proceed without an inordinate amount of site preparation, such as grading, removal of trees, etc.
Try to find a site where future building or other construction plans will not create an obstruction to the antenna's view of the satellite.
Obtain an opinion from counsel that there are no legal restrictions on construction of a terminal at the proposed site.
Consult legal descriptions of each site under consideration. (These descriptions may be found in the deed of conveyance or may be available at the city or county property record office.) This review will ensure that no part of the ground terminal extends onto the property of others. This information is used during the site design to establish legal boundaries and easements to be shown on your ground terminal plot drawings. This information may also be required for a building permit.
Review zoning setback requirements for fences and for the antenna structure before beginning the site design.
Obtain a studio building layout drawing and blueprints of utility lines. This will facilitate cable layout and routing within the building.
Obtain maps of buried utility lines. In many communities, it is illegal to excavate a foundation hole or trench without clearing it in advance with utility companies.
Obtain soil samples at the proposed site if there is a doubt about the site's weight-bearing capability.
Obtain necessary rights and agreements early in the site construction process.
Be sure that the station carries liability insurance on its cables and accessory apparatus installed along the right-of-way.

The satellite antenna should be located as close as possible to the studio. Satellite terminals that can be connected to the studio by no more than 200 feet of cable are the easiest and cheapest to design, install, and maintain. The antenna site should not be separated from the studio by a stream, by a major roadway, or by property not under control of the station. If these conditions cannot be met, suitable cable path rights must be available for the interconnecting cable or fiberoptic link.

NPR Distribution generally discourages the use of rooftop antennas as the additional cost can run as high as $30,000. Rooftop antennas can utilize either penetrating or non-penetrating mounts. A penetrating mount will require a physical attachment to the structure of the building. A non-penetrating mount is placed on the roof of a building and is not physically attached to the structure of the building, but is heavily weighted to prevent the antenna from moving. This heavy weight is spread over a large area to reduce the roof loading to acceptable levels.

Installation of a rooftop antenna, if necessary, will involve these additional steps:

determining if the building is strong enough to hold the antenna, even under strong wind load conditions
reinforcing the building if necessary
designing and building an interface structure between the frame of the building and the antenna base, or calculating the roof loading for a non- penetrating mount.
hoisting the antenna base and the antenna itself
installing both on the roof