Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring one or more components of a wireless communication network. Preferably, an alarm system is linked to one or more components of a wireless communication network to determine whether the one or more components have been tampered with, removed or otherwise disabled. The monitored component can be a ground system in a cellular telephone network. The alarm system can include at least one conductive path linked to a ground bar of a ground system in a cellular telephone network such that if the ground bar is removed from the cellular telephone network the at least one conductive path is severed thereby generating an alarm signal. The alarm signal may take the form of an audible alarm (e.g., a horn), a visual alarm (e.g., flashing lights) and/or a signal transmitted to a monitoring station indicating that the ground bar has been removed and the equipment at the tower site is now vulnerable to lighting strikes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring one or more components of a wireless communication network. Preferably, an alarm system is linked to one or more components of a wireless communication network to determine whether the one or more components have been tampered with, removed or otherwise disabled. The monitored component can be a ground system in a cellular telephone network. The alarm system can include at least one conductive path linked to a ground bar of a ground system in a cellular telephone network such that if the ground bar is removed from the cellular telephone network the at least one conductive path is severed thereby generating an alarm signal. The alarm signal may take the form of an audible alarm (e.g., a horn), a visual alarm (e.g., flashing lights) and/or a signal transmitted to a monitoring station indicating that the ground bar has been removed and the equipment at the tower site is now vulnerable to lighting strikes.