3 ms·

Antennasearch is a good resource, and somehow the database update functions still work, but it appears unmaintained, somewhat janky, and the copyright notice re

Antennasearch is a good resource, and somehow the database update functions still work, but it appears unmaintained, somewhat janky, and the copyright notice reads 2004-2009. I resent the popup windows and the google maps integration is broken. Luckily, there are several community efforts to map the cell coverage. Check out https://opencellid.org/ https://opencellid.org/ which is an open source WiGLE-esque cell location collection. You can contribute with the TowerCollector[1] android app (also on fdroid). Mozilla also operates Mozilla Location Services[2] as an API for developers. People can contribute location anonymized data to Mozilla by a settings menu checkbox, or using their special app. WiGLE[3] of course includes cell tower detection in their wireless geographic logging suite. [0] https://opencellid.org/ https://opencellid.org/ [1] https://github.com/zamojski/TowerCollector/ https://github.com/zamojski/TowerCollector/ [2] https://location.services.mozilla.com/ https://location.services.mozilla.com/ [3] https://www.wigle.net/ https://www.wigle.net/

nitrogen 7y ago
Are they not registered with the FCC?
- cartoonworld 7y ago
  A sibling comment noted the FCC rules for antenna structures. FCC regulates some of this, and the cell towers should all be on that list. That said, I don't know how to easily access the FCC information aside from a service like antennasearch or some other thing. There are also paid services for this sort of thing. IF you are searching for towers, also make use of a fiber search, as all these towers need fiber to run, unless they use backhauls or something which seems less likely. The towers are usually owned by something like COMTECH III, LLC and then the entities leasing the tower space operate everything else. In addition to the FCC, FAA, there should be a massive public paper trail for tower construction. The locality, state, and feds are involved in this. So, in a roundabout way, I think your thoughts were: "If FCC regulated and lists this, why the tower search crap?" The reason is that if you get the FCC, state, and local to OK your tower and use it for long range deer hunting, the FAA maps will still show your 220ft deer stand, but there are likely no cellular transceivers on the tower. On a cell tower there could easily be 2 today, and then 4 next month. So the location and use of the towers doesn't always coincide with the cellular network equipment hanging off it, which is what would need to be monitored. Also I'd wager that the open sensor method of opencellid, MLS, WiGLE will give you better data. If you are doing your own research, it would be greatly helpful to compare to the official lists, but you'll need to verify it anyhow. If anybody is doing this work I would be interested in knowing more about this landscape. Interesting stuff.

nitrogen 7y ago

Are they not registered with the FCC?

cartoonworld 7y ago
A sibling comment noted the FCC rules for antenna structures. FCC regulates some of this, and the cell towers should all be on that list. That said, I don't know how to easily access the FCC information aside from a service like antennasearch or some other thing. There are also paid services for this sort of thing. IF you are searching for towers, also make use of a fiber search, as all these towers need fiber to run, unless they use backhauls or something which seems less likely. The towers are usually owned by something like COMTECH III, LLC and then the entities leasing the tower space operate everything else. In addition to the FCC, FAA, there should be a massive public paper trail for tower construction. The locality, state, and feds are involved in this. So, in a roundabout way, I think your thoughts were: "If FCC regulated and lists this, why the tower search crap?" The reason is that if you get the FCC, state, and local to OK your tower and use it for long range deer hunting, the FAA maps will still show your 220ft deer stand, but there are likely no cellular transceivers on the tower. On a cell tower there could easily be 2 today, and then 4 next month. So the location and use of the towers doesn't always coincide with the cellular network equipment hanging off it, which is what would need to be monitored. Also I'd wager that the open sensor method of opencellid, MLS, WiGLE will give you better data. If you are doing your own research, it would be greatly helpful to compare to the official lists, but you'll need to verify it anyhow. If anybody is doing this work I would be interested in knowing more about this landscape. Interesting stuff.