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Comment by Jim Kulczyk on January 26, 2011 at 4:52pm

This happens when High amperage DC mains are fed to the candleabra ( tower top). I've seen in some cases 220-3 phase is fed to the top as well. Most Antenna cable installations inside buidlings nowdays are made of Plenum that give off minimal toxic gases when burning. In this case it is an outside structure so normal PVC coated cables were used. Yes, that made for a lot of smoke and damage. Wireless towers use radio frequency in and around microwave ( 1 GHz to 10 GHz) which was the cause for the interesting glow at the base. I'm at a loss why the circuit protection didn't trip at this point.
JK

Comment by Oldman on January 25, 2011 at 7:01pm

I've heard of burning up the airwaves, but this is ridiculous. Fortunately around here, most of the cell phone towers are open web steel towers. But I am starting to see some of the enclosed steel going up in some outlying areas.

Comment by Jim Kulczyk on January 24, 2011 at 8:48pm

Unbeleivable!!
The local FD had to be called out to our county tower this weekend while I was working on some new installtions. Apparently the fire alarm system doesn't like HT's transmitting inside the tower house.
JK