AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/ham-power-line-distance

What is the minimum safe distance from a power line when installing an antenna?

Far enough that a falling antenna stays 10 feet from the wires.

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  1. Half a wavelength at the operating frequency
  2. If it falls, it stays 10 feet from the wires ✔
  3. The height of the power line

Why: Plan so that if the antenna falls, no part of it can come within 10 feet of power lines. Contact with power lines can be deadly.

Huh, didn't know that: Never attach an antenna to a utility pole.

The dad joke
Why did the antenna keep its distance? It did not want any shocking news.
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References

Answer: If it falls, it stays 10 feet from the wires. Plan so that if the antenna falls, no part of it can come within 10 feet of power lines. Contact with power lines can be deadly.

  1. HamStudy 2026-2030 Technician pool, section T0B hamstudy.org/browse/E2_2026/T0B
    Enough so that if the antenna falls, no part of it can come within 10 feet of the power wires
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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