Radio Tower in Mesquite (415 feet)

[br.reese]

Does anyone know how tall and what that tower in Mesquite is?

[tamtagon]

you might need to be a little more specific

[br.reese]

The white one behind the Mesquite Rodeo.

[rantanamo]

Do you mean the 300 something foot tower at Mesquite Memorial Stadium that is used for communications with their school district TV and radio stations?

http://gallery.bostonradio.org/2002-10/dfw/100-00816-med.jpg

[br.reese]

That's it. How tall is it? 300+ I thought it looked around 400.
Thanks.

[tamtagon]

it looks kinda cool

[TheCDAllenGroup]

^Yeah, that's the communications tower behind memorial stadium on Military Parkway in Mesquite.

I still remember being marching on that same football field in band for UIL competitions. Oh the memories...

[TexasStar]

You want to see some real towers go down to Cedar Hill.

[jimmyx18]

I didn't realize that one was fake.

[TexasStar]

I didn't realize that one was fake.

Of course, I meant 1,000 footers as opposed to 400 feet. :beat:

[RobertB]

From the station's history page (http://www.keom.fm/history.html)

In the beginning, the frequency was 88.3 FM, and the stationís power output was 3,000 watts. The original tower was 250 feet in height, and located where the 415 foot City/School Communications Tower is now located, at Mesquite Memorial Stadium. The station switched to 88.5 FM, and to using the Communications Tower upon its completion, in 1992. The station's power output was raised to 61,000 watts when the frequency change occurred. With the assistance of MISD's Construction Services and Technical Services departments, and technician Andy Floyd, the station moved to new, larger, digital studios at the Professional Development Center in 1996, allowing more students into the instructional program, expanding the station's community service, and allowing the beginning of 24 hour a day, automated overnight operation.
My 10-year-old wants to be a DJ when he gets to high school. When he's a bit older, I'll introduce him to KRUD.com (http://www.krud.com/), a site about the radio biz that should change his mind in a jiffy -- or strengthen his masochistic resolve. :)

[JasonDallas]

Of course, I meant 1,000 footers as opposed to 400 feet. :beat:

You mean 1600-1700 footers as opposed to 400 feet. I agree, no comparison. The two new American Tower candelabras are beasts. I think they both have 2 story elevators.

Jason

[br.reese]

I know it is not as tall as those in Cedar Hill, but for a free standing tower, it's fairly tall.

[grantboston]

^Yeah, that's the communications tower behind memorial stadium on Military Parkway in Mesquite.

I still remember being marching on that same football field in band for UIL competitions. Oh the memories...

Years ago my mom was out at West Mesquite HS (right underneath the tower, behind the stadium) and the school noticed that the tower was starting to lean. They evacuated the school because of a concern that it could have collapsed on the building. Turns out nothing happened, but that would have been a sight!

[br.reese]

It still looks like it's leaning.

[cowboyeagle05]

One story about this story I was told is that the person who wanted it built wanted it so Mesquite could have a signature tower its own Eiffel if you will. He wanted to make a big impact on the early skyline of Mesquite so people would know they were in Mesquite. He wanted the stadium built and the Tower next to it. To give Mesquite a grander stage for its future identity and a grander experience when playing football in Mesquite.

[rantanamo]

The tower before this one was very non-distinct. Didn't something happen to it that caused the need for this one to be built?

[br.reese]

Have no idea. I've lived in Mesquite for 13 years and always wondered about it. Thanks for the info.

[RobertB]

The tower before this one was very non-distinct. Didn't something happen to it that caused the need for this one to be built?
Ref my previous post (#11): they went from 250 feet to 415, switched frequencies, and got more power in 1992.

[br.reese]

Looks like there is a couple of floors/levels up there. Guess you would have to climb to get to them.

[I45Tex]

br.reese: I certainly haven't seen transmitters be protected en masse in big pods elsewhere, anyway

[RobertB]

Those are equipment rooms, according to posts I've read on radio-info.com. Safer for doing maintenance, though still not for the faint of heart, judging from the look of the cage-on-a-winch elevator at the base of the tower. I guess that's better than climbing up a ladder, at least.

My son suggested they install blue lights on the pods, and turn it into a giant Mesquit-o zapper. :

[I45Tex]

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=keomfmtower-mesquite-tx-usa lists it at 574'. Is it possible that the rod antenna atop the main structure is (571-415) feet tall?