Basejumper.com - archive

i can't get into specifics...but i'm needing to circumvent some stuff on an "a".

was wondering how an aluminum ladder would react up against an "a".

and to avoid the obvious "why not use a wooden ladder if you're afraid argument" I need to say that in this case it has to be a aluminum ladder (a motified aluminum ladder, can't get into specifics, i promised the guy.... you know the story)

anyway all information would be appreciated.

thank you.

Send via PM: Whats the FCC Id or other identification? Easy enough to figure out what it is used for.

sent pm

pm sent

An aluminum ladder will do more-or-less exactly what a steel or other metal ladder will do... Which is to say, if it touches the antenna it will "be one" with the antenna.

Is the structure itself live? I assume you're asking because it is, but hey, you know what they say about assumptions.

Michael

it's a fm/tv from what i've researched. does that make a difference? i've been told that a "AM" IS BAD NEWS for this situation.
more innput would be greatly appreciated. thank you.

With FM antennas the structure itself is usually not live. If there's a lot of hardware hanging off of it (dishes and such), then that stuff is probably doing the transmitting/receiving. The "antenna" is really just a tower.

With AM antennas the structure is the antenna, so it's usually live. There will be no hardware hanging off the antenna, and the guy wires and base of the antenna are usually insulated from the ground.

If the structure is not live, it shouldn't matter what kind of ladder you use.

Michael

P.S. Search the forum for "AM FM" and you'll turn up a lot more information.

I'm wondering how a ladder might react against an "a" Is this some sort of bad chemistry class?

My bad. I had assumed, since you were asking, that the antenna was AM. As crwper pointed out, the structure of an FM antenna is harmless. An aluminum ladder touching it will therefore be just as harmless.

thanks. still hane not finished the ladder alterations but all this info. is good. i might try the rope and pvc pipe but the ladder in this case would be easier. thanks again for all the input and anymore would be good.

rope or 1" tubular nylon... that would take up less space and might be lighter

i think i'm going to go there with both ladder and the rope thing leroy mentioned.

note that you dont have to have PVC on every rung, just every few or more. U might also want to secure each rung by drilling a hole and trying it off somehow. I wouldn't want you to slipp or anything.

also, please have some GC to remove the ladder once you are on the A so its one less thing to worry about once you are exfilling the area...

my 2 cents

thanks leroy good advice!!!

Somewhere I've heard nylon can conduct electricity...is this only at extremely high voltages?

above about 600V @ 60Hz I have heard but not confirmed.