Definition
A point-to-point microwave radio system used to transmit television signals between fixed locations, such as from a broadcast site to a studio or relay tower. In aeronautical publications, TML structures are noted because the towers and antennas supporting these links can be tall enough to constitute obstructions to flight.
Plain English
A microwave radio link that carries TV signals from one tower to another. Pilots see the term because the towers themselves are obstacles to watch out for.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA abbreviation lists and occasionally in NOTAMs or airport-area information when communications equipment or antenna sites are being described.
Derivation
‘Microwave’ refers to very short radio waves used for the link. ‘Television microwave link’ describes the function — sending TV signals over that microwave path. The acronym is a shorthand label used on charts and in NOTAMs to identify why a tower is there.
Why Pilots Care
TML towers can be hundreds of feet tall and are often guyed, making them serious obstacles in low-level flight, departure, or arrival corridors. Knowing the abbreviation helps a pilot quickly interpret obstruction notes and NOTAMs.
Intuition Check
TML does not mean a normal television channel for viewers. In this context, it means the equipment or radio path used to carry television or video signals between locations.
Example Sentence 1
The NOTAM listed a new TML tower north of the airport at 850 feet AGL.
Example Sentence 2
Maintenance crews checked the TML after the storm to restore the video feed from the remote weather sensor.