Here is today's Ham Shack Safety Tip:

Check with local building codes, have all the needed tools
BEFORE starting work, and be sure enough help is on hand for
the project. Make sure that you have acquired all of the proper
permits, paid the appropriate fees, etc. If not, you could be
in trouble with local officials.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (454:1/33)

Here is today's Ham Shack Safety Tip:

Those living in areas with Covenants, Creeds, and Restrictions
(CC&R's), and/or Homeowner Association Agreements (HOA's) may NOT
be allowed to erect outdoor antennas...plus, indoor antenna setup
may be restricted, if not prohibited altogether. PRB-1 does NOT
cover these CC&R's and HOA's. Check the paperwork BEFORE you sign
any kind of lease agreement.

While the Amateur Radio Parity Act is moving through Congress,
there's no guarantee that it'll pass. But, even if it does, that
likely will NOT give carte' blanche' to hams to do whatever they
want with towers, etc.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (454:1/33)

Here is today's Ham Shack Safety Tip:

Avoid placement near power lines at all costs. If the tower
tilts and comes in contact with a power line, anyone on or
near the tower, will be fatally electrocuted.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (454:1/33)

Here is today's Ham Shack Safety Tip:

If attaching antennas to a structure, make sure the structure is
sturdy enough to hold it. You don't want the antenna in a severe
storm coming down, taking the side off of a structure...let alone
power lines. The lines on the ground could start a fire.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (454:1/33)

Here is today's Ham Shack Safety Tip:

Wear gloves and other safety gear as you climb the tower. In
the daytime, especially in summer heat, the metal of the tower
will become very HOT, and severe burns can result if your arms,
hands, feet, are not protected.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (454:1/33)

Here is today's Ham Shack Safety Tip:

Have adequate eye protection when working in the shack, or on a
tower. You don't want to have debris from solder, electronics,
or otherwise in your eyes...or intense light from the sun off of
metal surfaces outside. Either way, you could lose your eyesight
in a hurry.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (454:1/33)

Here is today's Ham Shack Safety Tip:

Cancel ALL tower work if there is any threat of thunderstorms.
Lightning can strike as much as 20 to even 200 miles away from
the parent thunderstorm, and the tower is basically just one big
lightning rod. If you are on it, and the tower is struck,
you could be severely burned, if not fatally electrocuted.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (454:1/33)

Here is today's Ham Shack Safety Tip:

If there is a Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat Watch, or Excessive
Heat Warning in effect for the area, CANCEL any and all tower
work...treating it like a day with thunderstorm potential. Hot
temperatures can lead to heat illness, heat exhaustion, and
potential heat stroke; the latter can be fatal, if medical help
is not summoned promptly.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (454:1/33)

Here is today's Ham Shack Safety Tip:

Do NOT place the tower where insects or reptiles may be a problem.
Stinging insects such as bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, etc.
may build their nests near, or on the towers. Also, watch for fire
ant mounds, and snakes. Stings or bites will be very painful, and
in some cases, fatal, if prompt medical attention is not obtained.

If you are allergic to insect stings, have an EpiPen handy for quick
injection. Because that is a massive dose of epinephrin, you need to
have an ambulance summoned, and take you to an Emergency Room quickly.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (454:1/33)

Here is today's Ham Shack Safety Tip:

Be sure that all shack equipment is insulated and grounded. Unplug
all gear, and disconnect all antennas during thunderstorms, whether
in or near your area.

The U.S. Storm Prediction Center has "Convective Outlooks" where
at least 10% coverage of thunderstorms is expected. However,
thunderstorms can form outside of this coverage area...especially
during the heat of day in the summer. Check with the forecast
from your area National Weather Service or Meteorological Agency
for the forecast of thunderstorms in your area.

Also, have access to weather radar...so if you see something
developing, it's time to "shut things down".
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (454:1/33)