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WWVB Photo Gallery

See & hear: WWVB
Home Page		 Photo
Gallery 1		 Photo
Gallery 2

The antenna. The antenna for WWVB undergoes regular maintenance, as well as periodic upgrades. These photos were taken during a major upgrade which took place from 1997 to 2000.

    Tower
    View from top of WWVB tower
    View from top of one of WWVB's towers
    Repairs
    Installing a new insulator
    Installing a new insulator
    Repairs
    Making repairs to the antenna
    Making repairs to the 60 kHz antenna
    Repairs
    Making repairs to the antenna
    Making repairs to the 60 kHz antenna

The transmission line. A 50 Ohm transmission line connects the 60 kHz transmitter in the broadcast house with the antenna. The transmission line begins on huge spools, and is buried in a shallow trench.

    Spools
    Spooled transmission line
    Spooled transmission line
    Trench
    Preparing to unspool transmission line
    Preparing to unspool 50 Ohm coax. transmission line
    Trench
    Transmission line laid in trench
    Transmission line laid in trench; helix house in background
    Covering trench
    Covering transmission line
    Covering 50 Ohm
    transmission line
    Rigid line
    Preparing rigid transmission line
    Preparing rigid transmission line

Variometer installation. With the 60 kHz antenna, the transmission line must be matched to the antenna though a coil called a variometer.

    Beginning
    Helix house after old equipment was removed
    Helix house after old equipment was removed
    Middle
    Helix house modifications
    Helix house modifications
    End
    Helix house near completion
    Near completion of helix house modifications, white down lead yet to be connected to the antenna matching equipment

New equipment. Construction of the new 60 kHz transmitters.

Retired equipment. The following are the old 60 kHz transmitters and antenna matching transformer.

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