Tower KCTV

kctv s transmitter tower on union hill.

kctv maintains transmitter facilities on 1,042-foot (318 m) transmission tower located @ former studio facility on east 31st street on union hill (south of downtown). tower has become recognized kansas city landmark, in large part because of string lights adorn 4 corners of structure s frame, can seen miles around immediate metropolitan area @ night. recognized kctv incorporated tall tower – station referred on-air – logo adopted part of imaging revamp in november 1999 (at time, adopted current kctv 5 news identity title newscasts), remained in use until may 2002. tower similar in structure 750-foot (228.6 m) transmission tower on abc affiliate kqtv upstate in st. joseph (which, coincidentally, began broadcasting on date kctv commenced operations, september 27, 1953) maintains transmitter antenna.

from 1970s until 2001, tower served weather beacon signal residents , visitors of inclement weather affecting kansas city , immediate surrounding communities. purpose, station engineers switched individual sets of lights on tower , moded them flash when severe weather watch or warning issued county in immediate kansas city area local national weather service forecast office or national severe storms forecast center/storm prediction center, activating them in descending order – in 1 or more of 3 sections – in pertinence specific weather situation:

kctv s transmitter tower seen liberty memorial.



lights flashing on top third of tower indicated severe thunderstorm watch, tornado watch or winter weather advisory in effect
lights flashing on top two-thirds of tower indicated severe thunderstorm warning or winter storm warning in effect
lights flashing on sections of tower indicated tornado warning in effect or highly threatening weather occur

after terrorist attacks on world trade center , pentagon on september 11, 2001, symbols of american patriotism heavily embraced in immediate aftermath, kctv engineers installed led lights on tower correspond colors of united states flag, placing red lights on top third, white lights on middle third , blue lights on bottom third of structure.

in 2004, lights on tower turned off entirely until of bulbs replaced; lights on tower reactivated on july 1, 2006, white lights having been installed on of sections, had been standard until 1970s. since then, lights have not flashed purpose of being notifier of inclement weather conditions did prior september 11, 2001. in june 2010, analog antenna disassembled tower structure allow installation of new top-mounted digital antenna, transmit @ 1,000 kilowatts improve coverage of kctv s digital signal in outer edges of market.