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ATC Tower VHF Communications Antenna

Aviation & Air-Traffic-Control Antennas

The omnidirectional vertical whips that carry voice between controllers and aircraft.

Band
VHF airband (118-137 MHz)
Gain
~2-5 dBi (omnidirectional)
Polarization
Vertical

Photos

Real-world photo of a ATC Tower VHF Communications Antenna in use
Real-world example. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0; Harrison Keely).

Radiation / wave patterns

Idealized radiation pattern of the ATC Tower VHF Communications Antenna
Idealized azimuth radiation pattern (illustrative, generated). Radial scale in dB.

How & why it works

Voice communication between a control tower and aircraft uses the aviation VHF band (118-137 MHz) with AM voice. The antennas are simple vertically polarized omnidirectional radiators—quarter-wave ground planes, dipoles, or collinear verticals—mounted high and clear so they can talk to aircraft in any direction out to line-of-sight. Vertical polarization and an omnidirectional pattern matter because aircraft approach from all bearings and orientations; multiple separated antennas and frequencies handle ground, tower, approach, and en-route sectors without interfering.

Real-world uses

Two-way voice between controllers and pilots at every tower, including the Calgary tower.