Antennas at Athena

Mountainous center and nearly 2000 islands - it is not a trivial problem with distribution of telecommunications signals. Structures built on the tops of mountains are very expensive, and there are immense problems with the power supply to such inaccessible places.
The market for such investments is not too big, because total population of Greece is about 10 million. Despite that there are 4 GSM operators, 9 countrywide and about 30 local television broadcasters. And out of the clear blue sky - satellite digital platform Nova - with about 120-150 thousand of subscribers.

On the Athenian hill Acropolis there are carried out intensive conservation works connected with Olympics. Access to the Internet is also necessary during such renovation or construction work. The simplest and cheapest way to to get access to the Web is wireless transmission. In the picture - the Andrew antenna for 2.4 GHz band, A7115 - against the background of Dorian column at the Acropolis.

Many tourists in Athens come to see the ceremony of the changing of the guard at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier. Nearby, at the building neighboring the Parliament, we can see a several-meter long logarithmic-periodic antenna mounted on a rotator, probably used for short-wave communication.

In the VI century B.C. it began the golden era of Delft sanctuary. For 600 years it was the place of pilgrimages. According to the myth, Zeus released two eagles which met above Delft, determining the center of the world. A monument in memory of the event is supposed to be the Omfalos (navel) stone. Greeks used to leave votive offerings there, as their gratitude for accurate prophecies of the Delphi Oracle, or as symbols of Olympic triumphs. One of them is beautiful monument of coachman (Auriga).
Accurate prophecies of the Oracle were supported by deep knowledge of priests and priestesses and confident information. How much easier would be the ''prophecies'' with satellite receiving equipment...

3300 years separates the construction of stronghold in Mycenae, from building satellite communication station. The sculpture above the entrance, presenting a lioness, is the oldest object found in construction site in Europe. What will remain of the station after 33 centuries?

Building their inaccessible monasteries at the rocks of Meteora, orthodox monks searched for the peace and separation from this world's temptations. They drew up building materials using ropes. The stairs to many monasteries were built only in XIX and XX centuries. Modern communication structures are not easier to build, so the popularity of container solutions which can be put e.g. by a helicopter. Anyway, as opposed to monasteries, they are not built for the calmness, quietness and contemplation.

The main problem of operating telecommunication infrastructure built on high mounts or hills is power supply. In Greece, fortunately, this problem can be solved by the use of solar batteries or collectors.

Community installations aren't popular in Greece, so antenna forests dominate Greek roofs.

Usually Greek roofs make a useful part of the houses, so they are being equipped with balustrades making base for the antennas.

Typical roof equipment are also water heaters

In Greece there are available 9 countrywide TV broadcasts and about 30 local programs. Those who want to watch as many programs as possible use rotators which change their antenna's direction.

At the seaside parts of Greece, for retransmission of signals to islands, high masts aren't necessary. The sets of antennas are placed on 3-4 floor office blocks.

Also at the other side of the radio link there is no need to use a high mast. In the picture - the station on the Hydra island where Canadian poet L. Cohen lives.

Typical antennas set used on islands, at buildings of OTE, the Greek telecommunication operator.

The view of Greek antenna market won't be full if we don't show antennas used on boats, ferries and yachts for radio communication, navigation and watching satellite television. In the picture the antenna manufactured by the company Sea Tel. Thanks to positioning system it is possible to watch television programs during the cruise.