Use large wires over short distances on a direct path to the grounding rods - Lightning is high voltage, high current electricity, short and direct paths will lessen the chance of electricity to jump to nearby conductors.

The answers of using loops and right angles are the opposite of using short and direct connections. Lightning is high voltage, high current electricity.

Bends in the wire may allow the electricity to 'jump' from the wire to nearby conductors, thereby defeating the grounding system.

The longer the wires are, the more resistance there is and the hotter the wire will get.

Once again: Use large wires over short distances on a direct path to the grounding rods - short and direct.

Last edited by kd7bbc. Register to edit

Tags: grounding safety section5.5

This question is entirely basic safety steps. Remember, we are trying to save lives, not risk them. An antenna tower cannot retract like a crank tower.

It is always the safest to have both certification and experience climbing before moving to climb an antenna tower.

Using an appropriate tie-off prevents you from falling off of the tower, so this is required.

If you don’t use an approved harness, it may break and cause you to fall, harming or killing you.

So, all of these choices are correct.

Last edited by jimcrawford. Register to edit

Tags: section5.5

Always take the time to get someone to help. Never climb a tower without someone else to help or observe.

Last edited by floresea. Register to edit

Tags: safety section5.5

These two answers are clearly incorrect. A grounded wrist strap is for use on electronics and won't help when working on a tower. Insulating the base won't stop lightning strikes and eliminates the grounding system that protects the tower. The only answer that is an important safety precaution is to look for and stay clear of overhead electrical wires. The tower, guy wires and you should be well clear of any overhead electrical wires. Refer to question B06 for more information on safe distances.

Last edited by camplate. Register to edit

Tags: safety towers section5.5

You tighten turnbuckles by turning them, but with vibration, they can come loose. The safety wire keeps them from turning, once they're tight.

They won't help if the turnbuckle breaks - they're too fragile.

They won't prevent theft or vandalism because they're easily removed.

They have nothing to do with climbing the tower, because they're just used on the turnbuckles.

Last edited by kd7bbc. Register to edit

Tags: section5.5

None of the other three answers provide any indication of how close the antenna will be to the power line if it falls. Note that this is the minimum and should only be used when necessary. It is better to create more distance than the 10 foot minimum whenever practical.

Last edited by orangutan01923. Register to edit

Tags: safety section5.5

Obviously, the tower must be grounded. Clearly, the important safety precaution is to not climb the tower unless fully retracted. Climbing the tower requires that your hands and feet are placed between the parts of the tower that slide adjacent to each other. You can think of the tower as a possible guillotine that can severely injure and even remove body parts that are in the way if it accidentally slips. Even when retracted, it is a good idea to block the tower to prevent the sections from moving.

Last edited by rander51. Register to edit

Tags: safety towers section5.5

The general idea of grounding a tower is to provide a short, direct path for high voltage/current lightning strikes to ground. If a single ground rod is used, it increases the distance required and drops the efficiency of the grounding system. A single four-foot grounding rod is not adequate to handle typical electrical energy generated in a lightning strike. Clearly, the ferrite-core RF choke is of no use, as it is used in electronic circuits. In addition to that, connecting the tower to a cold water pipe poses a serious safety concern for people who might be near the plumbing in the house the water pipe connects to. The best answer is long (8-10ft) grounding rods, one for each tower leg, that are bonded to the tower and to each other.

Last edited by nbiggers2023. Register to edit

Tags: grounding safety towers section5.5

It should be pretty obvious that any antenna should be far away from power lines, both to avoid accidental contact and to avoid interference. Also consider that installing and maintaining the antenna exposes you to the risk of accidental contact with the power wires as well.

The all are correct answer, however, is false. First the answer about 60Hz radiations affecting the SWR says they are coming from the feed line, when they actually would be coming from the power lines. Second, induced currents in the antenna might damage the transceiver if they were strong enough, or be received as static or unwanted noise (aka, interference) if they were at the right frequency, but this does not mean the antenna would be malfunctioning per se: The antenna would actually be functioning exactly as intended, turning radio waves into electricity.

Last edited by the_lab_cat. Register to edit

Tags: safety antenna section5.5

Sharp bends, which includes right angles, must be avoided. While non-insulated wire is generally used for grounding, it is not required. For example, metal straps may be used instead of wires, but you won't see this commonly. Common grounds are recommended. The best grounding system uses conductors that are as short and straight as possible.

"Short and Direct"

Last edited by rockinjay. Register to edit

Tags: safety grounding section5.5

Because the grounding system falls under an electrical installation, it is governed by local electrical codes. Most local codes are based on the National Electrical Code (NEC), so in most cases they will just refer you to the NEC. You should be aware that local codes vary dramatically throughout the United States in terms of who can inspect and approve electrical installations, so it's always a good idea to check with your local code enforcement office to find out what the requirements are.

In Article 100 of the NEC, the local electric codes are governed by the term Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), which is defined as “An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.” Grounding requirements would fall under their jurisdiction.

Last edited by hopimports. Register to edit

Tags: rules and regulations grounding towers antenna section5.5