Ed Chen
Google
At the summit of Mount Washburn in Yellowstone National Park, the structure serves as a critical communications hub, supporting a variety of antennas and technologies. The most prominent feature in the image is the large microwave dish mounted on the lower portion of the tower. This directional dish is used for high-bandwidth point-to-point communication, likely operating in the 6 GHz to 23 GHz range. These microwave links provide backhaul connections to other mountaintop or valley communication sites, ensuring data and voice signals can traverse Yellowstone’s vast and rugged terrain without reliance on buried fiber or cable.
Above the microwave dish, multiple panel antennas are visible—three prominently positioned rectangular units with associated cabling and remote radio units. These are cellular sector antennas, probably covering 120° each to form a full 360° coverage pattern. These antennas support commercial LTE or potentially 5G protocols in bands like 700 MHz, 1900 MHz, or 2.1 GHz. While cellular coverage in the park is intentionally limited to reduce visual impact and preserve wilderness experience, Mount Washburn’s strategic height makes it ideal for staff connectivity and emergency use.
Several vertical whip antennas are also seen protruding upward around the top structure. These are likely VHF or UHF antennas used by the National Park Service for analog and P25 digital radio communications. The typical frequencies range around 166–170 MHz (VHF) and are used for ranger coordination, public safety, fire response, and search and rescue. Due to Mount Washburn’s high elevation (over 10,200 feet), these whip antennas can relay signals to deep backcountry zones and act as a repeater node for the park’s internal radio network.
Also notable are smaller parabolic grid and dish antennas mounted lower on the mast. These may be used for shorter-range microwave relays, such as linking nearby repeater sites or visitor centers within line-of-sight. These directional antennas could operate in the unlicensed 5 GHz band or licensed microwave bands depending on their application—possibly supporting telemetry, camera feeds, or data services. Their alignment and directional nature indicate specific node-to-node communication.
The entire array is supported on a lattice framework integrated with the building, allowing separation between different radio services to reduce interference. The dense cabling and remote radio heads suggest active power and signal conditioning at the antenna site, enabling real-time management and low-latency relay. Altogether, this antenna installation supports a hybrid of public safety, park operations, and limited visitor connectivity—serving as the technological backbone for communication in one of America’s most iconic wilderness areas.
