Mystery Antenna

March 8, 2009 11:02 AM

What is this antenna used for?

A new utility pole with an antenna has been installed near my home in Boston Massachusetts and I am stumped to it's purpose. Does anyone know what it's for?
Here are photo 1 and photo 2.
There are no markings on the pole, the box or the antenna.
Thanks

posted by boby to computers & internet (9 comments total)

Might it be for real time traffic monitoring? Is it installed near a street or intersection that could be considered busy? Have any new wifi hotspots turned up? Just musing here...
posted by ae4rv at 11:34 AM on March 8

Here's the streetview of the corner:
Streetview

Judging by the intersection, it's not a red-light camera or for traffic monitoring, but it could be related to the park. The install doesn't look complete, there's obviously going to be something attached to the wires at the top of the pole. I don't see the part you're referring to an as antenna either. My guess is some sort of lighting or surveillance for the park.
posted by cosmicbandito at 11:46 AM on March 8

Hint: Google "boston cell tower"
posted by Sys Rq at 12:28 PM on March 8

It's a cell tower, the box holds the electronics and the actual antenna's are covered with a decorative grill.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 1:08 PM on March 8

I think it's a wifi antenna.
posted by watercarrier at 2:31 PM on March 8

These are omni-directional antennas - looks pretty similar to the one on your street.
posted by watercarrier at 2:34 PM on March 8

Thanks for all the input. The answer is here.
It's a cell tower.
posted by boby at 3:04 PM on March 8

I find it ironic that the guy pictured in that article is complaining about the "unsightly" cell towers while standing in front of the apparently just fine tangle of regular phone wires.

Those towers look way better than the older ones, that's for sure.
posted by gjc at 4:43 PM on March 8

He's not complaining that they're "unsightly," gjc. Indeed, that word appears exactly zero times in the article, which you should perhaps try reading.

The issue is the same as the subject of this AskMe: Citizens weren't informed about the towers, and probably should have been.
posted by Sys Rq at 5:14 PM on March 8