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Case Study

Homeland Security Radar Support for the FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration was in need of a pole to support a Homeland Security radar that monitors boat traffic.

AFS 600

Ballasted System - 20' Tilt-Up Pole
St. Croix, USVI
Federal Aviation Administration
Completed Installation

The Need

ARE Telecom was hired on by The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to install our AFS 600 20’ Tilt-Up Pole to support a Homeland Security radar that monitors boat traffic. The pole needed to be rated for extreme winds, be able to be lowered for maintenance, and hurricanes.

Overview

ARE’s AFS 600 system allowed The FAA to have a permanent or temporary foundation and 20’ self-raising pole that is assembled by 2 people. This system will support The FAA’s technical requirements and maintain a tight deflection to guarantee accurate readings. ARE’s AFS 600 uses (2) hydraulic rams and a small 12v pump which is powered by a conventional vehicle battery, which raises or lowers the pole in minutes.

Project Benchmarks

  • Pole custom designed to interface with radar and surveillance equipment
  • Above ground foundation required no digging on bed of rock
  • Portable Power Unit weighs 25 lbs
  • No Concrete

Project Resources

  • 2-man crew
  • 2-day assembly
  • Skid-steer
  • Local fill used for ballast
  • Hand tools

Challenges

  • Limited space
  • Mountain top site
  • Rock base
  • Limited electrical infrastructure
  • Non-evasive system to meet FAA requirements

1 Level Surface

Create a level surface using gravel or aggregate

2 King Post Assembly

Place king-post in center of leveled ground and set trays around

3 Fill Ballast

Assemble sidewalls and fill with ballast

4 RaisePole

Attach pole and hydraulic rams. Using 2x 20T rams and a 12v battery power unit, raise the pole