One WTC Broadcast Tower Is Now Operational

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NEW YORK — In a historic event that comes nearly 16 years after the destruction of the original World Trade Center broadcast tower in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the official start of relocation of live broadcasting to One World Trade Center in lower Manhattan has commenced.


Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) is a key wireless and broadcast infrastructure specialist overseeing the transition at One WTC, and NBCUniversal’s Telemundo O&O WNJU-47, broadcasting on digital channel 36, is the first television channel to transition broadcast operations to what RFS calls a “future-proof” antenna deployment at One WTC.

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today at One World Trade Center.

The antenna is comprised of RFS’ UHF PEP40E antenna, combiner and RF switch frame. Other stations will relocate over the next several months, including WCBS-2, WNET-13 and WPXN-31.

RFS says it spent several years working closely with The Durst Organization, Myat and individual broadcasters on UHF and VHF antenna installations for One WTC, now the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. These installations are designed to deliver terrestrial television services to the entire New York DMA.

The new infrastructure atop the iconic venue incorporates RFS’ Variable Polarization Technology (VPT), providing broadcasters with the flexibility to define their own polarization ratio ─ which will prove particularly valuable as channels and standards change as a result of the imminent U.S. broadcast television spectrum repacking program.

“It has been our honor to be such a significant part of The Durst Organization’s major endeavor to bring over-the-air broadcasting services back to downtown Manhattan and today marks a monumental accomplishment for all of us,” said RFS CEO Herbert Merz. “We’re prepared for the next steps in transitioning broadcasting for the remaining stations over to One WTC in the months ahead.”

John Lyons, Asst. VP and Director/ Broadcast Communications at The Durst Organization, said, “The products and support supplied by RFS’ broadcast team have exceeded our expectations and met all of the rigorous project performance standards to date. I am proud of what we have been able to collectively accomplish at One World Trade and look forward to fully completing the relocation with continued success.”