[John Candle]

Yes open line can still be used. As GUM stated there is much more interference in the air now days. However Yes it can still be used. Many years ago most of the Tv transmissions were in the VHF low band of 2 thru 6 that has much less loss per foot then VHF high 7 thru 13 and UHF 14 thru 69. And like you recall was used to bring the signal from the top of a hill/mountain that is blocking reception down in to a valley many feet away , 1000 feet , 2000 feet , 3000 feet. As you see from the old pictures the ladder line is supported on poles high up off the ground so as to keep the wires away from animals and vegetation is cut away from the path of the line so the branches do not take down the line. And no ladder line can not be buried in the ground. Rhombic antennas were often used as receiving antennas on the mountain top. The main reason that open transmission line and other ways of electronic transmission are not used now days is because ( and I will try and be nice ) because people now days are , spoiled rotten , stupid , lame brain , idiot , a** holes. They expect ever thing to be handed to them with a tiny little antenna or no antenna. As examples , many people have insane dislike for Tv antennas Tv transmission towers , cell phone towers and other forms of electronic transmission. They like there cell phones but do not want to see the towers that make cell phones possible. They like there Tv but do not want to get it for free with a Tv antenna , they would rather pay for cable or satellite. Do not be fooled by what antenna haters say , the truth is they are plain nuts.