Wireless Communications

Below are several of the services that we offer with regard to wireless communications.

Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Reviews – Ben Evans, in collaboration with CityScape Consultants (cityscapegov.com), conducts Conditional Use Permit (CUP) reviews for cities, villages, towns or counties to assist the municipality in its decision as to whether the Conditional Use Permit to build a communications tower, whether cellular or other wireless service, should be granted.  Our unbiased analysis reviews the CUP documents and verifies, to the extent possible, the tower applicant’s showing of need for the new tower.  We will investigate potential alternatives to the tower proponent’s plan which doesn’t involve new construction, such as co-locating on an existing structure, in order to minimize visual impact.

RF Exposure Measurements – FCC rules require that RF transmission sites not exceed certain exposure levels that are regarded by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the federal EPA as the maximum for the safety of the public.  We will conduct either a theoretical in-house worst-cast analysis or an on-site RF exposure measurement survey to determine the levels on the ground, in the transmitter shelter, and in some cases at certain heights on the tower (in the case of exposure to tower climbers).  If FCC limits are exceeded at any location, our report will outline specific recommendations to mitigate the excess exposure level.

Intermodulation Study – A transmitter site that’s shared by many radio or TV services is potentially problematic because of intermodulation (IM), where two or more signals transmitted from the site can mix, creating unintentional signals on other frequencies.  These errant transmissions can fall on the operating frequencies of transmitters or receivers used on the site, causing interference.

Some tower owners require would-be tenants to have an intermodulation study done to analyze possible IM problems caused by the proposed antenna installation.  Our intermodulation study will identify potential cases of intermodulation interference at a transmitter site that may be caused when additional antennas are added.  The results are summarized in a professionally written report.