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, and stood at 2,063 feet (628.8 meters) until 2019, when the top mount VHF antenna was removed for the FCC spectrum repack, dropping the height to 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 collapsed in 1991, again making the KVLY-TV mast the tallest structure in the world until the Burj Khalifa surpassed it in 2008. The KVLY-TV mast remained the tallest structure in the Western Hemisphere and the tallest broadcasting mast in the world until the removal of its antenna 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, reaching over 2,000 feet tall.

Construction

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

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 (88.5 km) across.

When the tower was first built, the TV station it was made for had different call letters, 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 on top of that is a transmitting antenna 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 while there is no maximum height for antenna towers, they usually do not approve towers taller than 2,000 feet. However, 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))