Chapter 3

Factors Considered In Choosing a Site

In building an adequate location site, there is a standard operating procedure to follow and some
unforeseen situation that may be considered:

 Site Selection
 Equipment Selection
 Tower Selection
 Power Equipment
 Lightning Protection

Site Selection

In locating the sites, the following factors should be considered:

 Terrain mapping for possible obstructions;

 Geographical location, for possible line-of-sight path obstruction;
 Adequate source of power and water;
 Population on each site and;
 Be in the vicinity of any popular landmark or a City in the region.
 The proponents also considered the topographic map of every province covered by Region 3 for
establishment of each site.

Equipment Selection

 Microwave Antenna

The microwave antenna that is to be chosen:

 Must have high antenna gain;

 And must not be too heavy and large for easy mounting in the tower.

 microwave radio that is to be chosen must have:

 A frequency at which the links is to be operated;
 low receiver sensitivity value;
 High transmitted output power;
 An indoor and outdoor unit installation for eliminating the use of waveguides for
transmission;
 And must be a user-friendly interface for simple maintenance management.
Tower Selection

 The tower used must possess the following:

 The capability of the tower to hold loads such as antennas and cables prior to construction;
 The type of soil wherein the tower is raised must also be considered for any ground
movement to prevent the tower from swaying;
 The height of the tower must be enough in order to avoid obstructions;
 The anticipated wind loading was identified under harsh condition and additional loading.

Power Equipment

 A stand – by power equipment should be provided for possible power interruptions at the
microwave site to maintain operation.
 Generator
 Uninterruptible Power Supply

Lightning Protection

 The lightning protection that will be used must contain the appropriate conductive paths for
lightning currents and be able to disperse atmospheric discharge in order to prevent surge
current to enter the equipment and sustain safety in the facility.

 Grounding Protection
 The grounding equipment must be installed at every equipment inside the
facility and must be coordinated with the lightning protection in order to
prevent abrupt surge entering to the equipment thus making the equipment
safe.

 Obstruction Lightning
 21 feet – 120 feet:
 Use 2 obstruction lights;
 151feet – 300 feet:
 Use 2 obstruction lights at one-half way level of the tower & a beacon
light at the top of the tower;
 301 feet – 405 feet
 Use 2 obstruction lights at 2/3 way level and a beacon at the top;
 405 feet and above
 Use various light combinations stated.