Safety Concerns & Warnings
- Select a safe location, especially considering the location of power lines. If no safe location can be found, don’t continue with this project.
- Very Important: Read all about safety and procedures before you start. Use your web browser. Type in:
- Antennas and power line safety
- Antenna mast safety
- Ladder safety
- Antenna mast grounding
- Guy wire system
- Plan your steps carefully. Do not take chances.
- Wear necessary safety gear and clothing.
- Have enough manpower available.
- Do not work during inclement weather or windy conditions.
- Do not rush the project. No mistake is worth it.
- Review all the links of this website before starting the project. Every page will add valuable information on planning, constructing, raising, and guying the mast.
There’s a lot out there regarding the safe use of pushup/telescopic antenna masts. Some important considerations are:
- Its height
- The weight of the antenna that may be placed on top
- The guying requirements
- Falling limbs, snow, ice
- Strong or gusty winds
- The size of the mast material to use
My Couplers and Reinforcers are very rugged and if installed every 5 feet at the joints and midway at the 2-1/2′ point provide more strength and rigidity than the mast material itself. The Coupler is designed to work with a particular size and type of mast material. When used with the Winch-It-Up Mast Support (see Mast Support link) and guyed to recommended 10 foot intervals and not over-weighted at the top, the Coupler/Reinforcer supported mast should yield excellent results.
READ AGAIN ——– IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE:
No antenna mast is complete without a good guy system. It’s the best insurance you can have to protect your mast, yourself, others and property. Typically a guy level is necessary for every 10 feet of unsupported mast. An online search can provide you with detailed installation information. DON’T SHORTCUT YOUR GUY SYSTEM!! For my rope guy system on the top level, I use Mastrant-P 5mm/0.197” rope rated at 1102 lbs. For lower levels I use STI Antenna Support Rope, 3/16”, 0.187”, rated at 770 lbs. The 770# is very adequate for most antennas. I use the four guy system for masts 30′ and above and all those with significant antenna/rotator weight on top.
If you don’t feel you have a safe spot to locate the mast or you are not comfortable with the information provided here, you should go elsewhere. Also, there are EMT nay-sayers out there with opinions. However, with this design and using the extra support Reinforcers between Couplers, and with minimal maintenance, I believe this is an exceptional mast that will provide long and dependable service. It has for me.
If you’ve read all the links, you can see that I’ve covered many many possible concerns. When raising objects high in the air, there will always be concerns. And every install is different so you should expect some issues. Be Prepared, Be Careful, Be Safe. It’s in your hands – you are responsible.