Armstrong Tower, Radio tower in Alpine, New Jersey, United States
Armstrong Tower is a 425-foot steel lattice structure in Alpine, New Jersey, rising from the Palisades overlooking the Hudson River. Three steel arms extend from the main mast, and the tower currently broadcasts FM signals for Fairleigh Dickinson University's WFDU radio station.
Edwin Howard Armstrong built this transmission facility in 1938 to broadcast experimental FM radio signals under the call sign W2XMN. The tower represented a major step in radio technology development at that time.
The base building houses a museum dedicated to FM radio broadcasting technology in America. You can see how the technology evolved and understand its role in shaping how people listened to radio.
The tower serves as a visual waypoint for aircraft in New York City airspace, making its location important for aviation navigation. The structure stands on elevated terrain and remains visible from several vantage points in the surrounding area.
After September 11, 2001, this tower helped New York City television stations transmit their signals when the World Trade Center was destroyed. It became a crucial emergency backup for the city's communication network.
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