"Here it’s( was) 200 feet and over and they had to be an approved type.
Different blink pattern day/night."
Don't rule out uneducated, and reactionary imbeciles, either... We had
a 199.9' tower put in the community. Met all requirements. Local short
term political attention whores (neighbors getting "elected" into
positions they think matter) insisted on a light, which was pointless,
since minimal craft level by federal law is 1,000'. "Someone might hit
it!" Sure, and if they might hit that, they might hit a power pole, or
tree, but you don't want lights on those... Putting on the light, made
the tower roughly 202' high, which ironically, requires a light! The
light that wasn't required satisfied the requirement of the light on the
tower that didn't require one... The guy that programmed the light
pattern did. It flashed very slowly, "F--K YOU", which wasn't noticed
for years. I wouldn't have even noticed myself, had I not gotten into
QRSS CW at the time. At some point, the unobtrusive gray galvanized
tower was painted a brilliant red/white scheme, making it visible for
miles. You'd think this was for safety, as you look down on it, in a
bowl, from the hills surrounding it, and between 5, and ten times the
height of the tower, where there are no craft in danger of hitting
it.... Nope, I talked with the crew. "Every time someone says
something stupid, or annoying, we get told to make it more offensive!"
Back to the primary issue... What one says, thinks, et cetera, may have
nothing to do with anything. Find someone in your country who knows the
rules, as they pertain to towers, lighting, craft, what-have-you, here
it's the Code Of Federal Regulations, and just read it. What is printed
is law, anything else is opinion. Make certain to get the most RECENT
printing, a two year old book doesn't cut it, not here, anyway. Years
were wasted fighting for a light on a tower that by law, and as far as
all agencies concerned with safety, and enforcement were concerned, FCC,
and FAA, didn't need one anyway.
I'd start with, "Why?", then as they attempt to answer, they may find
one isn't needed. Alternately, maybe it is, but the answer should
provide valid information. Get it in writing, from a valid source,
words from the counter help are worthless in the end, the person making
a fuzz now, may be cleaning toilets at a fast food joint in a week.
From experience, however, I'd find out on my own first. They average
person you may deal with, may hope you know less than they do, and it
never does one good to go in blind, or uninformed.
Best of luck, please keep us advised!
Kurt
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