KVLY-TV mast

The KVLY-TV mast (formerly the KTHI-TV mast) is a television-transmitting mast in Blanchard, North Dakota. It is used by Fargo station KVLY-TV (channel 11) and KXJB-LD's Argusville/Valley City/Mayville translator K28MA-D (channel 28), along with KNGF (channel 27).

Completed in 1963, it was once the tallest structure in the world. It stood at 2,063 feet (628.8 meters) until 2019. In that year, the top part was removed for the FCC spectrum repack, and the mast became shorter, at 1,987 feet (605.6 m).

In 1974, the KVLY-TV mast was succeeded by the Warsaw radio mast as the world's tallest structure. The Warsaw mast fell down in 1991, so the KVLY-TV mast became the tallest again until the Burj Khalifa became taller in 2008. The KVLY-TV mast stayed the tallest structure in the Western Hemisphere and the tallest broadcasting mast in the world until its antenna was removed in 2019.

Location

The KVLY-TV mast is located 3 miles west of Blanchard, North Dakota, halfway between Fargo and Grand Forks. It became the tallest man-made structure in the world when it was finished on August 13, 1963, standing over 2,000 feet tall.

Construction

The tower was built by Hamilton Erection Company of York, South Carolina and Kline Iron and Steel. It was finished in thirty days, on August 13, 1963. It cost about $500,000, which is like $5.26 million today.

Owners

The tall tower is owned by Gray Media from Atlanta, Georgia. It helps send TV signals for KVLY-TV (channel 11) and a smaller station called KXJB-LD. The tower can reach about 9,700 square miles (25,000 km²), which is like a circle about 55 miles across.

When the tower was first built, it was made for a TV station called KTHI. You can get to the top using a special small elevator or a ladder.

Specifications

The KVLY-TV mast has two main parts: a tall metal lattice tower that is 1,950 feet (590 meters) high, and a transmitting antenna on top that adds another 53 feet (16 meters). Together, they reach a total height of 1,987 feet (606 meters). The antenna alone weighs 9,000 pounds (about 4 tons), and the whole tower weighs 864,500 pounds (about 392 tons). The tower sits on 160 acres of land, supported by special guy anchors to keep it standing. From the ground to the top, it stands 2,962 feet (903 meters) above sea level.

Federal rule change

After the tower was built, the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration made a rule. The rule says that antenna towers can be built very tall, but they usually do not approve towers taller than 2,000 feet. In special cases, they can allow a taller tower.

Structures of similar height

Here are two other tall structures that are close in height to the KVLY-TV mast:

• KRDK-TV mast (2,060 feet (628 m))
• KXTV/KOVR tower (2,049 feet (625 m))