Going T1

[Branch]

We've been talking to a new company here in Temecula that is going to set up a new kind of internet link that uses line of sight antennaes that run at T1 speed. Our house is on the face of a hill that overlooks the entire valley and they are going to use it as a relay station for all those that are not line of sight to their main unit.
Carpenters arrive on the 18th to install these antennaes on our facia and patio cover. They promise that they will blend right in and not be noticeable unless your looking for them. The good part is that they will hook up two computers in the house, and our network down in the shop for free. No monthly charges for T1.
They're suppose to set up a camera on our patio cover that will show a view of the valley in real time. Unfortunately the patio cover is terraced up over the pool. No more skinny dipping!
We've been trying to find a cell phone provider that's interested in using our place because we understand they'll pay $2,500-$7,000 a month. I could live with a tower for that kind of money!

Branch

 

[GlueGuy]

<font color=blue>We've been trying to find a cell phone provider that's interested in using our place because we understand they'll pay $2,500-$7,000 a month</font color=blue>

That's higher than anything I've ever heard of before. Friends of ours had a cell phone "tree" installed, and they are getting something like $650/month. If additional "paddles" are installed, they get a bump in the fee for each one.

The GlueGuy

 

[RPM]

Some considerations you may want to think about ...

These agreements can be abused by the companies installing the antenna. Unfortunately I have experience of this indirectly.

1. Carefully negotiate access to the antenna. If the contract assumes a 'right of way' then it should be shown on lot plans etc. Antenna providers can otherwise cause damage in the name of establishing a right of way for access to their equipment. Terms regarding maintenance of any right of way also should be negotiated. Hours of access also need to be clear.

2. Pay close attention to the rights of the antenna provider to license out space on their installation to other providers. What you are currently looking at may be low power and small - but if you have leased the space with no restrictions then you could be in for a suprise.

3. There are Federal regulations regarding the safe distance between radiating antennae and people. I would be concerned about having the antenna on the house and therefore in proximity to bedrooms where you will be spending a significant portion of your time. Ask for evidence of their compliance. You don't want to turn your bedrooms into microwave ovens.

4. Negotiate the appearance of the antenna(e) in detail.

5. If a webcam is installed, negotiate privacy guidelines. Especially if you have children.

6. Carefully check your homeowners insurance. High frequency radio antennae do tend to attract lightning strikes. (Don't ever use a cell-phone in the open in a lightning storm!). Your homeowners insurance probably wouldn't cover a strike to your buildings caused by a 3rd party antenna. Their insurance would probably only cover their costs (replacement of antenna). Will all installations have full lightning protection? This can be ugly - serious grounding should be installed.

7. After all the above is taken into account you may find it cheaper to use a satellite hook-up (fast down-link and up-link via dial-up). If you're really off the grid, check out this story.

8. I doubt you'll get what you stated for cell-phone tower lease. The rate is much lower these days. Often only around $1000 per month. The companies also typically have indefinitely long contracts (as long as they want) and reserve instant 'bail-out' clauses so you can't count on the income. Sounds like a lot, but unless you have a really big property and the antenna is far from you then it is not, after taxes, worth much. Especially when you consider that ...

9. Your house value goes down as soon as any of these antennae go up. You also will not have the right to ask for removal of the antennae at short notice if you choose to move (I guarantee that won't be a negotiable option).

In the situation where I was involved the agreement was almost signed with a tower company (services more than one provider usually) by a well meaning individual before it was caught. After extensive legal negotiation and heated discussions an agreement was reached. These companies play hard-ball because they do this all the time.

 

[DrDan]

Very good points RPM. I'd get everything in writing and check into the strength of the radiation and frequency. I attended a seminar on the effect of EMR (Electro Magnetic Radiation) on dogs and high voltage electric lines were causing all kinds of health problems in dogs (infertility in particular).

If it's a long ways away from the house at least you don't have to worry about the health risk. I heard of a guy in PA who is being paid $110, 000 a year for renting the space for one cell phone tower. I think you need to negotiate a little more.

Dr Dan

 

[gws]

Around here a free standing tower might get your $3k a year, but not a month.

 

[DVerbarg]

Dr Dan,


Where can we get the info on how EMR affects dogs? The utility companies for years have fought the "evidence" concerning health problems in people. Have noticed though that the animal care side can publish information about health effects of various things (such as EMR) without the backlash from big business.

DaveV

 

[jdkid]

Hi ya DrDan
what you are says holds alot of water ,we have a mate who's into that kind of stuff after hearing what he has seen on people and animals there is more on what he dose on his website

http://sites.netscape.net/doveexploration

over here the phone com want to put up a tower near a school ,the local people were up in arms over it and in the end the little guy won
catch ya
JD Kid

 

[gws]

Bullet item 6 has a lot of problems. First the cell tower would not be using high freq. high freq (hf) usually refers to freq below 30mhz. Depending on the cell service it wil be UHF or SHF freqs. Next, A properly installed tower will NOT!!!! attract lightning strikes and will usually offer a cone of protection to anything around it. A tower would be grounded and therefore drain any static electric charges off before they can be build to lighting levels.

6. Carefully check your homeowners insurance. High frequency radio antennae do tend to
attract lightning strikes. (Don't ever use a cell-phone in the open in a lightning storm!).
Your homeowners insurance probably wouldn't cover a strike to your buildings caused by a
3rd party antenna. Their insurance would probably only cover their costs (replacement of
antenna). Will all installations have full lightning protection? This can be ugly - serious
grounding should be installed.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

The company I work for manages residential apartment complexes; we have some cellular towers
on some of the properties - basic rent is about $6,500 per year, plus the cellular tower owner
is responsible for any increase in real estate taxes, has to provide insurance, and must pay for
any and all maintenance/construction costs. Some pay their rent in one lump sum each year, others
pay monthly.

 

[Branch]

Thanks for the information. My attorney wrote most of the agreement and we've covered all of what youve mentioned.
Access is only after 1 hours notification unless it's an emergency in which case they still must notify us. We have gates so they can't get to the equipment without our help.
They have to carry $500k insurance to cover us, their employees and guests plus workmans comp on them and subs.
Antennaes, the number and placement is at our discretion. If they place more, they pay more. All equipment to be placed is desribed and specs attached to the agreement. The entire system including power and electronics for 4 antennaes is less than 25 watts. To me it's a non issue for health. My background for the last 32 years has been with electronics and this stuff is less dangerous than the monitor I'm looking at right now.
All regs present and future are the responsibility of the tennant where we are held harmless and they must remedy immediately. If they can't comply, the equipment is to be removed and they still pay for a year.
Appearance is the most simple part because of the small size. They're going to be hidden and painted to match the present architechural appearance. Their work is good enough when we say it's right.
The webcam is at our discretion, presently they'd like to put it over the pool area but we'll see.
Lightning here is a very rare issue but it must be installed with due diligence.
On the cell lease, I've only heard 3rd hand what they get, thanks for the heads up. I'll stop looking for potentials if that's all you get. We're doing way way better with this group especially when you calculate the monthly rates on T1 in.
As to home value, maybe yes, maybe no. For most people I think they'd find it an attractive extra. All of our neighbors are pissed they didn't get a shot at it.
Thanks
Branch