zendmast

A zendmast, Dutch for transmitter mast, is a tall outdoor structure used to support antennas for broadcasting and telecommunications. It hosts antennas for radio, television, and mobile networks, and may accommodate multiple broadcasters on a single site. They can be lattice steel towers, monopoles, or guyed masts and are designed to elevate antennas above surrounding terrain or buildings to improve line-of-sight and transmission efficiency.

Design and construction: They are typically built as lattice towers, solid monopoles, or guyed masts. Heights vary from tens to several hundred meters. Antennas, dishes, and lines are mounted on the mast at multiple levels. The site usually includes a foundation, access ways for maintenance, and safety systems such as lightning protection and grounding. In urban areas they may be integrated with other infrastructure.

Function and operation: A zendmast serves as the vertical support for broadcast and telecommunication antennas, enabling radio and TV broadcasting, DAB, satellite uplinks, and cellular networks. Transmitters feed RF signals to the antennas via feeder cables; multiple services may share a mast using different frequencies.

Regulation and safety: They are subject to aviation lighting requirements, regulatory licensing, and environmental and zoning regulations. Regular inspection and maintenance are required to manage corrosion, crane/rope access, and structural integrity. Dismantling and decommissioning involve careful planning and recycling.

Notable context: Some zendmasten are among the tallest structures worldwide and have played historical roles; for instance, historic towers such as the Warsaw radio mast were notable but collapsed in 1991, illustrating risks associated with very tall towers.