All electric power lines, cable lines and telephone lines look alike. To be
safe
, assume ANY
overhead line can kill you
.
Do not place an antenna where it could potentially fall on to, or blow into a power line. To determine the SAFE DISTANCE
follow these steps:
(a)Determine the proposed height of your antenna.
(b)Add the antenna length and the length of your tower mast.
(c) Double the figure.
Your answer will be the minimum safe distance from the nearest power line that you should install your antenna.
Outdoor antennas should be grounded with an approved lighting arresting device. Local codes may apply. The radio should
also be grounded to an earth ground to help protect both the radio and its user. Do not use hot water
pipes or gas lines as a ground source.
OUTDOOR ANTENNA GROUNDING-If an outside antenna system is connected to any radio receiver or transmitter, be sure
the antenna or cable system is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges and built up static charges.
Section 810 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA No.70-1984, provides information with respect to proper
grounding of the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to an antenna discharge unit, size of grounding
conductors, location of antenna discharge unit, connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding
electrode. Also refer to the ARRL’s antenna safety instruction.
Installation
Installation
(1) Prepare supports, paying attention to best possible height , antenna configuration, and alignment. Do not install
parallel to power lines.
(2) Unpack the antenna. Lay it on the ground, the two rolls separated and the components laying in the middle.
(3) Cut enough rope to support the antenna side tubes.
(4) Uncoil one half of the antenna. Avoid twisting, kinking. Keep the antenna taut during uncoiling. Save the coil
tubes for future storage.
(5) Install the rope as shown in the diagram above. If you keep the top arm of the rope a couple inches shorter than the
bottom arm , the antenna will hang in a proper vertical position instead of rotating flat.
(6) Attach your coax cable and raise the antenna up in the air. Again avoid twisting, kinking or springing.
(7) Run transmission line to the station. Run the transmission line down to the ground, and perpendicular to the
antenna for as far as possible. This is important Only use a sufficient length of transmission line to reach the
station
(8) Your antenna is ready for operation.
