While the role of coastal guardians has diminished, organizations like the American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) are committing to both preserving the historic integrity of their member companies, and finding new ways to allow them to stay in service. As the Johnson City Press reports, ALF reached out to USAT to devise a way to allow the Race Point Lighthouse, off the coast of Cape Cod, MA to act as a cell tower, but with its own unique considerations factored in.
The goal for the ALF team was to create a green solution incorporating photovoltaic arrays, DC power converters, and battery storage. After considering numerous options, USAT determined that T-Mobile was the carrier most likely to reach the remote location and deliver a reliable signal. A Cradlepoint router was selected for the site. USAT pointed to the company’s success with marine locations, believing the Cradlepoint would take temperature, shock, vibration, and humidity into consideration for the lighthouse location.
Poynting provided an OMNI 291 high-performance omni-directional, marine, and coastal antenna able to handle both LTE frequencies, and the unpredictable weather. Two of these antennas were installed atop the lighthouse to enable 2×2 MIMO operation. USAT confirmed the successful receipt of a strong signal video security, smoke detection, CO2 monitoring, environmental controls, and retail POS functions to start working immediately, and using green energy.
Working with communications solutions provider, USAT, gave ALF the reassurance that the historic character of the lighthouse would be preserved. The new digital outreach will also make it easier for future visitors to stay connected when visiting this preserved treasure from the past.
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