On February 15th at approximately 8-11 am, the Radio System Infrastructure Project plans to perform a balloon test at Fire Station 30, 9404 Falls Rd., Potomac, MD. Backup dates for the test are February 16th and 17th.
The test involves tethering a special balloon at the Fire Station so that the top of the balloon sits at the same height as a proposed monopole (185’). A monopole is a pole that functions as a radio tower.
Here are some facts about the test:
- The balloon is red in color and three feet in diameter.
- The purpose of the test is to help stakeholders, including neighbors and Tower Committee members, envision how the monopole will impact the local landscape.
- The vendor doing the balloon will drive around the vicinity of the Fire Station for about three hours. He will take pictures from different vantage points: near and far from the Fire Station, from north, east, south, and west, from public road locations.
- Photo simulations will be available for review a week after the test is complete.
- Alternate dates are needed for the test in case of inclement weather: wind, rain, or snow.