Table of Contents
Granite Pass Microwave Station
AT&T microwave station in the southern Mojave National Preserve.
| Built | 1963 |
|---|---|
| Callsign | KNL55 |
| ASR | None |
| Fate | American Tower |
Per the Kelso Depot HBR, this station was built in 1963-1964, with Southern California Edison and Pacific Telephone & Telegraph crews staying as guests in the depot during construction.
Like some other Long Lines facilities in the Mojave region, it appears that the Granite Pass microwave station was at least temporarily connected to the open-wire Defense Baseline Route as it proceeds south. This may have been an alternate connection for alarms. Some of the hardware involved looks relatively modern, so it may be that this was done under American Tower ownership.
Signage indicates later use by Verizon, although I don't see sector antennas on the tower.
Nearby, up the hill, there is a smaller and more modern microwave relay. This is located directly alongside a very small tower used by the NPS for internet service to Kelso (with AirFiber-type equipment). The larger of these two uphill sites is deeded to Pacific Telephone and Telegraph, and presumably served local telephone service into the Preserve.
Routes
| Destination | Direction | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Kelso Peak Microwave Station | North | TD-2, TH |
| Sheep Hole Microwave Station | South | TD-2, TH |
License History
- KNL55: cancelled in 2000 shortly after a renewal. Already in service as of 1990.
Construction
Above-ground hardened structure with a modular microwave tower. The “Building #2” outhouse has an unusual device on the vent that almost looks like a blast valve. I haven't seen this on other sites and it's certainly amusing.
The site sits on a ~1 acre parcel recorded to Pacific Bell, APN 055810127. It is noted as POSS INT ONLY which I think means “possessory interest only,” in other words that it is a leasehold (presumably from BLM).
