Airport antenna structures

[gilly]

Hi everyone.

Can anyone please tell me what those large structures on the outskirts of airport grounds are that look like a series of wires making a conical antenna shape? They are maybe 10 to 15m high and the same distance across.
I am currently staying near PHE and one is visible and I know I've noticed one at PER also.

The best guess we can come up with is that they are antennae for very low frequency communication with aircraft over long distances or related to landing assistance.

 

[Mal]

Considering you see similar antennas at AM Radio transmission sites (assuming I'm thinking of the correct type of antenna), I suspect you are correct in thinking that it is for long range communications in low frequencies.

I presume it's something like this you're thinking of? Couldn't find a better photo.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d8/Brant_rock_radio_tower_1910.jpg

 

[gilly]

It's not quite like that photo. I can't find one and it's hard to describe - maybe I can get a photo of it tomorrow.
It is like a network of wires in the shape of a funnel just like the a Funnel-Web spider's web. The wires are supported by five or six towers all leaning outwards.

 

[Kendall Roy]

You might be thinking of a VOR antenna.