Cold War Relics
Cutler VLF
The Very Low Frequency (VLF) transmitter in Cutler, Maine provides one-way communication capabilities to submerged strategic submarines. The station was constructed in 1960 and went live in January of 1961.
The Culter VLF has a transmission power of 1800 kW. From what I've read (and someone correct me if this is not true), most FM radio stations have between 3 and 6 kW of transmission power. VLF waves can penetrate water up to about 130 feet, depending upon the frequency and the salinity of the water. Cutler is currently operating at 24 kHz with a callsign of NAA.
The antenna system consists of two spearate arrays, dubbed north and south. Each array consists of six diamond shaped "panels" (aka radiating elements) supported by 13 towers. The system can broadcast with one array or both. Each center tower is 997.5' tall and is surrounded by six 875' tall towers on a ring with a radius of 1668'. The remaining six towers of the array are 799' tall and are on a ring with a radius of 3070 around the center tower.
Although the Cutler Naval Station has been "excessed," the Cutler VLF site is still active. I don't think you'll get pictures any closer than this without cruising by in a boat.
If anyone has closer or more detailed pictures, I would love to have them.
