There are similar ground stations on the European side of the pond. The one in Ireland also houses the small 4 foot dish for the HAMTV ISS ground station.
Normally the locations are specifically chosen as they are radio quiet, meaning they are far from towns and sources of RF noise. They normally have full backup generators and microwave link towers. Often the main dishes no longer move, and if they do, they are really only suitable for geostationary satellites, and often designed for low frequencies, and as such, obsolete for modern uplinks.
Often they do have some obstructions, such as nearby small hills, designed to block direct strong winds, as they are designed to operate in all weathers and the dishes act as a sail.
Often these sites end up derelict, as they are so remote they are not of desire to anyone.
On 10/04/2016, John Brier johnbrier@gmail.com wrote:
http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160409/perfect-man-cave-awaits-buyer-in-...
73, KG4AKV