9c.1 Understand the reasons for not having wires trailing across the floor, trip hazards and the risk of frayed insulation.
All cabling should be routed round
the edge of the radio room so that people do not trip over the cable
nor through persistent contact with shoes the cable does not become
frayed, exposing people to the mains wire. Ideally all mains cabling should be surrounded by plastic trunking. Mains wiring can also become frayed
if it is is a position where the PVC coating is chafed by constant
movement against a sharp edge.
9c.2 Recall that elevated wires and antennas must be suitably located and secured.
Antenna wires should be well secured so that they do not come loose during windy weather. This includes:
Connecting dipole type antennas with good quality insulators at each end connected firmly to a pole or tree.
Using a good insulator at the centre of the dipole, securely attached to the feeder.
Using wire that is strong enough to withstand the tension applied under all conditions.
Ensuring that supporting poles are attached to solid ground connections such as concrete blocks or walls.
using guy wires to support long aluminium / steel poles
The major risks are that antennas may come down on roads or on
neighbours property causing accidents and exposure to high voltages
from the antenna wire.
9.c3 Recall that antennas and feeders should not be sited close to overhead power cables.
Antennas and their feeders should be well away from overhead power lines. This is because:
If the antenna or
feeder touch the positive power cable they are raised to mains
voltage which could electrocute anyone touching the wire
Although not a
safety feature antennas pick up a lot of interference from power cables
and 240 Volts could be carried back to the radio causing damage to the
equipment.
9c.4 Recall that antenna erection is potentially hazardous and that it is advisable to have someone to help you.
Understand the need for at least one adult to be present.
There are a number of potential hazards when erecting antennas:
When raising a mast it could strike the mains wire causing electrocution.
Long poles become very heavy in the process of being raised
into a vertical position and could become out of control,
damaging the amateur.
Until fully guyed a pole may fall over causing injury
Antenna erection often involves climbing. Ladders should
be secure. And tools in holders to prevent them from being dropped on
people below.
There
should always be at least one other adult present to help with antenna
erection. To hold ladders, support guys while they are being fixed into
place and to fetch additional help should an accident occur.
9c.5 Recall that antenna elements should not be touched whilst transmitting and should be mounted to avoid accidental contact.
Note: this does not apply to low powered devices such as hand-held equipment.
Antennas carry voltages when
transmitting. It is important that antennas are not touched when
transmitting. Antennas should be out of reach to prevent
accidents.
Hand held equipment using low power
is usually safe to touch as the voltage involved are lower. Most hand
held equipment antennas also have a plastic coating to insulate the
user from the metal antenna.
9c.6 Recall that particularly high antennas may need special protection against lightning.
Lighting often strikes the highest
conducting point. If an antenna is mounted at a height above other
structures special lightning protection needs to be implemented, For
example earthing the supporting structure and providing a path from an
antenna to earth if the voltage is too high.
Safe use of headphones
9d.1 Recall that excessive volume when wearing headphones can cause damage to hearing.
Our hearing can be damaged by
continued loud sounds, particularly from headphones, where all the
sound is concentrated into the ear canal causing excessive movement of
the ear drum. To reduce the risk of damage always keep the volume
control to headphones turned down to a low level.
