VLF Cutler Hollow Core Cable Repair/Replacement, P. Hansen (unclassified)
Technical Report 1681, September 1994
The U.S. Navy operates several very low frequency (VLF) and low frequency (LF) transmitting sites around the world as part of the submarine broadcast system (SBS). The U.S. Navy VLF transmitting station at Cutler, ME is the "flagship" of the Navy's fixed very low frequency (FVLF) transmitting sites [see also Jim Creek Naval Radio Station] and has been operational since 4 January 1961. This station normally operates with a radiated power level of 1-million watts termed "full power" and at times as high as 1.8-million watts radiated, termed "maximum power." In order to radiate power levels of this magnitude in the VLF band, an enormous antenna system is required. The Cutler VLF consists of two separate arrays (north and south), each consisting of 13 towers. Every array has a center or zero tower call NO (for the north array) nd SO (for the south array), whcih are 997.5 ft tall. Each array has six middle towers 875.0 ft tall, which are located with equal spacing on a cricle of radius 1825 ft centered on the zero tower. Each array also has six outer towers 799.0 ft tall, also equally spaced on a circle of radius 3070 ft centered on the zero tower. A plan view of this antenna is given in figure 1. Every array is over 1 mile across and, together, they cover almost the entire peninsula. This antenna system is one of the largest in the world.
