Wideband Antenna
Safety Tips

The following general recommendations are made to insure your safety during the installation of an outdoor antenna. The following material should be considered as a supplement to the specific directions supplied by the manufacturer of the antenna.

If you are installing or dismantling your antenna for the first time, seek professional assistance. If you are unsure of your competency regarding the installation, it is best to seek the help of a qualified professional antenna or tower installer.

Read the manufacturer's directions and this advisory in full before proceeding.

The installation or dismantling of any antenna near power lines is dangerous. Each year hundreds of people are killed or injured while attempting to install or dismantle an antenna. In many cases, the victim was well aware of the dangers, but did not take adequate steps to avoid the hazards. For your safety and proper antenna installation, read and follow all safety precautions.

Choose an installation site for safety as well as performance.
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.

Call the Power Company. Let them review your site. This might seem like an inconvenience, but a few hours with the Electric Company may help avoid a fatal accident. Play it safe. Never dig without contacting the utility companies.

Never use a utility pole as a support for an antenna or guy wire. Never climb a utility pole.

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.

Height or other restrictions on antennas may apply to your installation depending on your proximity to an airport, or local ordinances.

Take the time to plan your installation procedure. Each person should have assigned tasks. A foreman or "boss" should be chosen to call out instructions and watch for signs of trouble.

Dress properly with rubber soled shoes, rubber gloves, and long sleeve shirt. Use an approved safety belt.

Do NOT work on a wet, snowy or windy day or if a thunderstorm is approaching.

Do NOT use a metal ladder.

If the assembly starts to drop . . . get away from it and let it fall. Remember that the antenna mast, cable, and guy wires are all excellent conductors of electrical current.

If any part of the antenna should come in contact with a power line . . . DON'T TOUCH IT OR TRY TO REMOVE IT YOURSELF. Call your local power company immediately. They will remove it.

Should an electrical accident occur . . . DON'T TOUCH THE PERSON IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER LINE, or you too can become electrocuted. Instead, use a DRY board, stick, or rope to push or pull the victim away from the power lines and antenna. Once clear, check the victim. If he has stopped breathing, immediately administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and stay with it. Have someone else call for medical help.

Remember that guyed towers are NOT self-supporting at any height. If your antenna installation includes towering, read the additional advisory on towers.

Install wire antennas high enough that they will not be "walked into" by people.

Do not install wire antennas over or under utility lines.

Click here to view Antenna Safety Advisory Pamphlet PDF 971 kB.