Thinking of Using a Radio Tower to Fly Higher

[jofus]

So I'm considering getting a high altitude shot of my city using the "400ft over a structure within 400ft radius" rule in Part 107. Thing is, this structure is a massive 1,526ft (corrected), 48kW UHF/VHF radio tower. I've seen many videos of people flying near these with no issues, but I'm still a bit wary of flying within 400ft that kind of power output even if it is a far lower frequency than 2.4GHz. I was a radio technician many moons ago, but I'm no RF engineer. Any input so I can identify and weigh the risks??

 

[LuvMyTJ]

Not the same type of transmission signal but it didn't stop ole Ken...

 

[maxheadspace]

So I'm considering getting a high altitude shot of my city using the "400ft over a structure within 400ft radius" rule in Part 107. Thing is, this structure is a massive 1,890ft, 48kW UHF/VHF radio tower. I've seen many videos of people flying near these with no issues, but I'm still a bit wary of flying within 400ft that kind of power output even if it is a far lower frequency than 2.4GHz. I was a radio technician many moons ago, but I'm no RF engineer. Any input so I can identify and weigh the risks??

Yeah, I think your greatest risk is front-end overload on the drone receiver, not a frequency conflict. I guess the only way to find out is to fly it!

 

[daveisim]

1,890ft, 48kW UHF/VHF radio tower.

Curious as to where that would be. The tallest I see in the Huntsville area is 1,526 AGL about 12NM ENE of KHSV.

 

[jofus]

Curious as to where that would be. The tallest I see in the Huntsville area is 1,526 AGL about 12NM ENE of KHSV.

That's the one. Looks like wikipedia has the incorrect height!

 

[Tugboat6371]

Any where to find the rules on flying close to these towers I live in east tn and we have quit a few tall towers I would like to fly but worried about the consequences of doing it illegally

 

[maxheadspace]

Any where to find the rules on flying close to these towers I live in east tn and we have quit a few tall towers I would like to fly but worried about the consequences of doing it illegally

It's addressed in the Part 107 rules for commercial sUAS pilots. I don't think there's anything that addresses it for recreational flying.

 

[Tugboat6371]

I do hold a 107 but I have never seen the rule on it

 

[daveisim]

I do hold a 107 but I have never seen the rule on it

107.51 Been discussed here a few times, the latest here: Flying 400 feet above structures (§ Part 107.51)