...continued from "20 Basic Antenna Installation Safety Rules - Part 1"
Once again, some of the rules may seen obvious, however for safety's sake, they bear repeating.
#8 – BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Call your Power Company before you
begin the project. Let them come and review your site. This might seem like an
inconvenience, but time spent with the Power Company may help avoid a fatal
accident. Play it safe. Never dig without contacting the utility companies.
#9 – GENERAL AWARENESS: Be aware of the dangers and take
adequate steps to avoid the potential hazards involved with the installation/dismantling.
#10 – ANTENNA GROUNDING: Outdoor antennas should be grounded
with an approved lighting arresting device. Do not use hot water pipes or gas
lines as a ground source. This is totally against all rules and is very unsafe.
. The radio should also be grounded to good earth ground to help protect the
radio.
#11 – ANTENNA GUY WIRES: Guy wires are support wires that
hold the mast up. They are usually necessary when the mast exceeds
12 feet in length. Never use a utility pole as a support for an antenna or
guy wire and never climb a utility pole while doing an installation or removal.
Only authorized utility company staff can do so and you can be arrested for
trespassing.
#12 – POSSIBLE RESTRICTIONS: FCC or local rules on how high you can mount your antenna
may apply to your installation depending on your proximity to an airport. Find
out what they maybe before you start your project and comply with them fully. Failure
to do so may not only be unsafe but may mean dismantling the antenna system to
meet local rules and regulations. There may be local codes that apply to
installations so check this out also
#13 – HELPING HAND: You will most likely require a second or
even third pair of hands for the installation. Each person should have assigned
tasks and know what to do when and in what order. A "boss" should be chosen to call out instructions
and watch for any signs of trouble.
#14 – PROPER TOOLS: Be sure to have all tool that you will need for the install or dismantling. This includes screws, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. Dress properly with proper protective
gear and use an approved safety belt if you are climbing a mast or tower.
#15 – ANTENNA
TOWERS
#16 – WIRE ANTENNAS: If you are installing a wire antenna,
be sure to install high enough so that it will not be walked into by people
going walking by. DO NOT install wire antennas over or under utility lines. Watch
out where your lead in or coax lines are running.
#17 – BE SMART: DO NOT work on wet, snowy or windy days or
if a thunderstorm is approaching.
#18 – METAL LADDERS: DO NOT use a metal ladder around
electric wires/power lines, cable, and phone lines.
#19 – FALLING ANTENNAS: If the assembly you are putting up
starts to drop get away from it and let it fall. You can be badly hurt by
falling antennas or any of their parts.
#20 – CONTACT WITH UTILITY LINES: If any part of the antenna
should come in contact with a power line DON'T TOUCH IT OR TRY TO REMOVE IT
YOURSELF. You must call your local power
company immediately and have them deal with the problem.
That pretty much sums it all up. If you missed "20 Basic Antenna Installation Safety Rules - Pt.1", you can read it here.
If you would like to share your experience installing an antenna or have any thing you would like to the rules above, use the comment section below.
That's it for now. Till next time, stay safe and happy scanning.
Have a Very Merry Christmas Holiday!
-RF
Webmaster @ Police-Scanner.info
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