Alternative Sites

Dan WilkinsonDan Wilkinson

Electrical EngineerElectrical Engineer

President - Cody Park HOAPresident - Cody Park HOA

No Rezoning if Alternative Sites ExistMinimum standard of Rezoning ResolutionMinimum standard of Rezoning Resolution

Section 17 2b. (1)Section 17 2b. (1)&&

Tower Siting & Review Policy 1b. TLUPTower Siting & Review Policy 1b. TLUP

The applicant must show that their proposed The applicant must show that their proposed equipment cannot be accommodated and equipment cannot be accommodated and function….on any other existing facility.function….on any other existing facility.

Issue: No Rezoning if Alternative Sites Exist

Applicant Applicant mustmust prove that no alternative sites existprove that no alternative sites exist

Alternative Sites Do Exist

Lower Squaw MountainLower Squaw Mountain Other Sites with Standing TowersOther Sites with Standing Towers

8 other sites in Jefferson County Ex. 5, 68 other sites in Jefferson County Ex. 5, 6 32 FCC registered towers over 252 feet (77 32 FCC registered towers over 252 feet (77

meters) high within 50 kilometers of Lookoutmeters) high within 50 kilometers of Lookout Ex.4 Ex.4

2 DTV Stations On PlainsKDEN and KWHD

Numerous Studies and Field Tests Support Alternative Sites Comparison of Broadcast Tower SitesComparison of Broadcast Tower Sites, Dec 2001, , Dec 2001,

Broadcast Engineering ConsultantsBroadcast Engineering Consultants DTV Reception StudyDTV Reception Study, May 2002, Al Hislop, May 2002, Al Hislop Squaw Mountain DTV Field StudySquaw Mountain DTV Field Study, November 2002, , November 2002,

Squaw Mountain Communications (SMC)Squaw Mountain Communications (SMC) Comments to Jefferson County Regarding Lower Comments to Jefferson County Regarding Lower

Squaw Mountain DTV StudySquaw Mountain DTV Study, November 2002, , November 2002, Hartech, Inc.Hartech, Inc.

Theoretical studies provide predictions.Theoretical studies provide predictions.Field studies provide facts.Field studies provide facts.

Squaw Mountain Represents the Best Alternative Site SafetySafety: Few homes at same elevation as towers: Few homes at same elevation as towers CoverageCoverage::

Provides 98% of market with boosterProvides 98% of market with booster Provides natural isolation from NIST quiet zoneProvides natural isolation from NIST quiet zone

ZoningZoning: ODP grants three complete antenna sites: ODP grants three complete antenna sites AssessibilityAssessibility: 2-wheel drive access year round: 2-wheel drive access year round Visual ImpactVisual Impact: No need for lighting or painting tower: No need for lighting or painting tower

LSM effectively addresses market needs while inLSM effectively addresses market needs while inbest interest of health, safety & welfare of communitybest interest of health, safety & welfare of community.

SMC DTV Field Study

Authorized by FCCAuthorized by FCC Demonstrates reception of Demonstrates reception of

low-power DTVlow-power DTV Most of Denver Metro areaMost of Denver Metro area Shadow areas of Jefferson Shadow areas of Jefferson

countycounty Utilized only 2.4% of allowable Utilized only 2.4% of allowable

powerpower Validates on-channel booster Validates on-channel booster

technologytechnology Proves technology is easy and Proves technology is easy and

inexpensive inexpensive

LCG Issues with Lower Squaw Mountain

Transmitters require more powerTransmitters require more power Lack of "vertical real estate"Lack of "vertical real estate" Requires building space of 20,000 sq. ft.Requires building space of 20,000 sq. ft. Produces "shadow zones"Produces "shadow zones" Boosters / repeaters not availableBoosters / repeaters not available Digital users group claim reception problemsDigital users group claim reception problems

SMC DTV Field Study*

Final conclusionFinal conclusion::

"With the addition of an On-Channel DTV Booster to "With the addition of an On-Channel DTV Booster to fill in Boulder, any full power DTV facility on Squaw fill in Boulder, any full power DTV facility on Squaw Mountain would provide a useable DTV signal over Mountain would provide a useable DTV signal over more than 98% of all of the population in the market more than 98% of all of the population in the market area."area."

* Squaw Mountain DTV Field StudySquaw Mountain DTV Field Study, November 2002, November 2002 Squaw Mountain Communications (SMC)Squaw Mountain Communications (SMC)

Hartech, Inc. Reviewed SMC DTV Field Study*

Final conclusionFinal conclusion::

"Squaw Mountain should be considered as a potential "Squaw Mountain should be considered as a potential alternative site to the front range sites for RF alternative site to the front range sites for RF coverage of the Denver Metropolitan area."coverage of the Denver Metropolitan area."

* Comments to Jefferson County Regarding Lower Squaw Mountain DTV Study, November 2002

Hartech, Inc. Supports the Following SMC Conclusions

A full power DTV facility on Squaw Mountain will cover A full power DTV facility on Squaw Mountain will cover virtually all the Denver Metro Area and beyond except virtually all the Denver Metro Area and beyond except for Boulder.for Boulder.

A DTV On-Channel Booster can be constructed rapidly A DTV On-Channel Booster can be constructed rapidly and successfully to fill in important shadow areas such and successfully to fill in important shadow areas such as Boulder.as Boulder.

The Boulder On-Channel Booster demonstrated that The Boulder On-Channel Booster demonstrated that pockets of deep shadowing can be filled as desired.pockets of deep shadowing can be filled as desired.

Hartech, Inc. Supports the Following SMC Conclusions

A low power DTV On-Channel Booster was shown to A low power DTV On-Channel Booster was shown to cover most of Boulder.cover most of Boulder.

Multipath is not a significant problem for DTV Multipath is not a significant problem for DTV reception from Squaw Mountain.reception from Squaw Mountain.

Squaw Mountain is in fact a suitable site for Squaw Mountain is in fact a suitable site for Broadcast DTV service in the Denver Metropolitan Broadcast DTV service in the Denver Metropolitan area and beyond.area and beyond.

Hartech Comments Regarding Multipath Reception

"It appears that the only strong reflections which "It appears that the only strong reflections which showed up were close to the test receiver sites..."showed up were close to the test receiver sites..."

"We expected the multipath interference to be much "We expected the multipath interference to be much more severe than that found..."more severe than that found..."

"...the effect of multipath was not nearly as "...the effect of multipath was not nearly as destructive as we predicted."destructive as we predicted."

DTV receivers effectively manage multipath.

Hartech Comments Regarding Booster Tests

"... it appears a booster is needed in Boulder and will "... it appears a booster is needed in Boulder and will provide coverage."provide coverage."

"A booster will most likely be required by transmitters "A booster will most likely be required by transmitters on Mount Morrison or Lookout Mountain to enlarge on Mount Morrison or Lookout Mountain to enlarge the Boulder area coverage."the Boulder area coverage."

LCG will need a booster regardless of transmitter site.

Digital Users Group Claim Reception Problems

May have attempted reception while transmitter was May have attempted reception while transmitter was not operatingnot operating

Improper use of receiver equipmentImproper use of receiver equipment Transmitter was operating at only 2.4% of total Transmitter was operating at only 2.4% of total

allowable ERPallowable ERP

Digital Users Group did not coordinate with SMC test.

Why the Concern? Long-term low power exposureLong-term low power exposure

Experts in field suggest prudence to long-term low Experts in field suggest prudence to long-term low power RF effectspower RF effects

LCG not acting in best interests of communityLCG not acting in best interests of community Potential for increased exposurePotential for increased exposure

Rotation of Lookout Mountain energy beam to Rotation of Lookout Mountain energy beam to address quiet areas not regulated by countyaddress quiet areas not regulated by county

Ralston Elementary School is directly affectedRalston Elementary School is directly affected

Your decision is permanent and has lasting effectsYour decision is permanent and has lasting effects.

Recommendations

LCG proposal must be deniedLCG proposal must be denied Studies support alternative sitesStudies support alternative sites Not in best interest of health, safety & welfare of Not in best interest of health, safety & welfare of

communitycommunity LCG has failed to prove its caseLCG has failed to prove its case

Support future studies concerning biological effects Support future studies concerning biological effects caused by long-term low power exposure to RF caused by long-term low power exposure to RF radiationradiation