Comparision of tallest structures of USA and former Soviet Union
Let us make a comparision of the tallest architectural structures of USA and former Soviet Union.
Skyscrapers
In USA construction of skyscrapers taller than 250 metres started already in 1920ies. In former Soviet Union construction of such skyscrapers started first after 2000. In larger towns in former Soviet Union many urban quaters consist of highrise buildings of prefabricated concrete with heights less than 100 metres. In USA many cities have an urban centre with many skyscrapers.
Chimneys
In USA and in former Soviet Union several chimnies with heights greater 300 metres were built for smelters and large power plants. Interestingly world's only 400 m+ chimney was built in former Soiet Union ( Ekibastusz, today Kazhakstan)
Towers/Masts for FM-/TV-broadcasting
In USA in many states guyed TV masts with heights up to 609.6 metres ( a few exceptions are taller) were built. It is not incommon, that two or more TV masts with heights greater than 300 metres are close together as each broadcasting company prefer to build its own tower. Free-standing TV towers are not taller than 333 metres ( most much smaller) and nearly all built as lattice tower. Broadcasting towers with observation decks like are rare / an example herefore is "Tower of the Americas".
In former Soviet Union most TV- and FM-broadcasting stations uses as transmission tower approximately 180 metres tall free-standing lattice towers, which can carry many antennas so further towers are not necessary at most sites. Beside this especially in rural areas also guyed masts with heights up to 360 metres are used. These masts are as the standarized lattice towers often designed for carrying many antennas so it is incommon that multiple towers are close together.
In several big cities large TV towers with heights between 250 and 540 metres (Ostankino Tower) were built. Some of these towers are concrete other lattice towers. Some carry also observation deck.
In some cities guyed TV masts with long crossbars running from the mast body to the guys were built. Their height is except of that of Vinnytsia TV Tower, which is 354 metres tall, between 150 and 200 metres.
VLF/LF-Transmission Masts
In USA, there is no longwave broadcasting and there are not many powerful longwave transmitters in the country, which would require a very tall tower. The only supertall longwave mast in USA is Port Clarence LORAN-C Tower with a height of 411.48 metres. For VLF-transmissions supertall masts were built at Lualualei, Hawaii, La Moure, North Dakota, Annapolis, Maryland (now demolished), Forestport, New York (now demolished) and at Cutler, Maine.
However only the masts at Lualulei, Hawaii are taller than 400 metres.
In former Soviet Union there are several longwave broadcasting stations and many LF- and VLF-transmitters as well for civil and military purposes. Of the height of the used masts only for a few stations exact data are available, but it seems to be the fact, that most longwave broadcasting stations use masts les tall than 300 metres.
VLF-stations may use taller masts, but there is no evidence that any station uses masts taller than 360 metres, although there is no evidence that such masts were never built in former Soviet Union anywhere.
Masts for Science
Tallest mast for science in USA is 464 metres tall BREN-Tower in Nevada, in former Soviet Union 315 metres tall Obninsk meteorological tower
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