Cell Towers, how they work.

[@earlt911]

Great video!! I recently had the opportunity to spend the day at a large Verizon cellular switching office based in SE Michigan.. Security was super tight.. Definitely no pictures.. Each floor of the building held different radio equipment for the various bands.. 2g-3g-4g-5g .. one complete floor for hundreds of batteries. I looked at the COW's on site, drones they use and a mobile cell CO in the back of a huge trailer-truck with satellite dishes mounted on top. The 8 or so ac units, a hook up for a diesel fuel tanker to provide fuel for the 8 or so generators in case electrical system failed. Then the main command center staffed 24-7 showing ALL VZ sites in the State displayed on huge monitors and they had various colors to them for troubles or other. Plus a huge weather radar screens as well. Once in a lifetime experience. Would like to know what are the top 5 issues that break or fail at any one tower site?

[@randykitchleburger2780]

That antenna is a pretty advanced phased array. Beam forming. The way the DC-DC converter can find the correct input voltage for the desired output voltage is by monitoring its output voltage and current. It can figure out how much loss is involved and calculate the correct compensation voltage.

[@ejbevenour]

I have seen HDMI on dell and nether switches to stack them. Now I know it happens on even bigger equipment, crazy. Amazing vid!!!

[@JohnSmith-mn4wf]

Amazing how advanced some of our modern telecom infrastructure is. The old clicky automatic switches have a special place in my heart though.

[@MikeF1189]

I'm pretty sure the GPS signal isn't for locating the tower. That can be hard coded. I'm pretty sure that the GPS signal is used as a time base for Timing Advance.

[@ATI556]

It is in fact location. We script these on a daily basis

[@MikeF1189]

@@ATI556 I'll defer to your expertise. I used to hang radios during 2G to 3G upgrades. CDMA.

[@ATI556]

​@@MikeF1189 Ahh the old GSM and UMTS cabinets I have seen too many to count!

[@matthewfitzgerald6247]

Great video! Incredibly informative and super interesting! Can you talk a little about how these sites are monitored remotely? Is it a site to site vpn with something like SNMP or more proprietary protocols? Thanks! Subbed and joined the discord!

[@ATI556]

Unfortunately it's highly proprietary and quiet to my knowledge. I know each vendor has their own system to monitor the sites

[@zbcochran1]

Watched every second, great job!!

[@d.m.4815]

It would be nice if those LC fiber patch cables were labeled.

[@lukelegg9915]

very awesome video, cell sites are fascinating and genius the way they work

[@mrflashport]

T-Mo has nationwide 600MHz on band 71

[@Group.B]

Great vid

[@joaopedroalbernaz]

I would love to read that ATT handbook of norms and standards. How can I get a hold of one of those?

[@randykitchleburger2780]

Nice video! How did you get into the field? I think I'd enjoy this as a job.

[@robertlane6675]

One carrier doesn't even have batteries at a site by me. Their other site has a new diesel generator that has had a fault code for months and doesn't run when the power is out.

[@randykitchleburger2780]

T-cough cough*

[@robertlane6675]

@@randykitchleburger2780 how did you know??

[@randykitchleburger2780]

@@robertlane6675 😂 wild guess

[@jeremyturner4327]

Whats the power output of the TX?

[@rolandmcphail5060]

very interesting and informative! why still use the wax string vs. cable ties?

[@ATI556]

Cable ties will eventually dryrot and fall apart

[@jeremyturner4327]

Does the cellsite connect to a netowork cordinator some where to validate the subscriber etc. I assume all interconnction is done by IP now?

[@randykitchleburger2780]

From what I understand the core handles authentication, and all of this is done via IP

[@DavidWilliams-db5df]

Hi, Have any of the cell companies implemented any EMP proofing the cell site equipment?

[@Echoskope]

When you have to climb a tower I imagine you have to Lock Out Tag Out the equipment in the base building / shelter. Is it just the DC bus feeding up the tower that has to be secured? Or do you also have to secure the fiber lines somehow?

[@ATI556]

Tag out is not a thing unless you are working broadcast sites such as FM or AM transmitters Cell sites cannot be shut down due to a 911 requirement. So we may lower the power slightly or shut 1 sector off but we cannot shut the entire site down.

[@ToddRock_760]

Appreciate the share!!

[@chrisw443]

so neat

[@sealpup3775]

Yo