Technician T0B: Towers and antenna safety
These are the 11 official questions in group T0B of the 2026–2030 Technician question pool, with the correct answer marked and a plain-English explanation of why it's right. The real exam asks one question from this group.
- T0B01Question 1
Which of the following is good practice when installing ground wires on a tower for lightning protection?
- APut a drip loop in the ground connection to prevent water damage to the ground system
- BMake sure all ground wire bends are right angles
- CEnsure that connections are short and direct Correct
- DAll these choices are correct
Why: Lightning ground connections should be short and direct.
- T0B02Question 2
What is required when climbing an antenna tower?
- AHave sufficient training on safe tower climbing techniques
- BUse appropriate tie-off to the tower at all times
- CAlways wear an approved climbing harness
- DAll these choices are correct Correct
Why: Use a harness, a hard hat and an observer. All the choices are correct.
- T0B03Question 3
Under what circumstances is it safe to climb a tower without a helper or observer?
- AWhen no electrical work is being performed
- BWhen no mechanical work is being performed
- CWhen the work being done is not more than 20 feet above the ground
- DNever Correct
Why: Never climb a tower without a helper or observer.
- T0B04Question 4
Which of the following is an important safety precaution to observe when putting up an antenna tower?
- AWear a ground strap connected to your wrist at all times
- BInsulate the base of the tower to avoid lightning strikes
- CLook for and stay clear of any overhead electrical wires Correct
- DAll these choices are correct
Why: Look for overhead power lines and stay clear of them.
- T0B05Question 5
What is the purpose of a safety wire through a turnbuckle used to tension guy lines?
- ASecure the guy line if the turnbuckle breaks
- BPrevent loosening of the turnbuckle from vibration Correct
- CProvide a ground path for lightning strikes
- DProvide an ability to measure for proper tensioning
Why: The safety wire keeps vibration from loosening the turnbuckle.
- T0B06Question 6
What is the minimum safe distance from a power line to allow when installing an antenna?
- AAdd the height of the antenna to the height of the power line and multiply by a factor of 1.5
- BThe height of the power line above ground
- C1/2 wavelength at the operating frequency
- DEnough so that if the antenna falls, no part of it can come within 10 feet of the power wires Correct
Why: Keep far enough away that a falling antenna can't come within 10 feet of the power wires.
- T0B07Question 7
Which of the following is an important safety rule to remember when using a crank-up tower?
- AThis type of tower must never be painted
- BThis type of tower must never be grounded
- CThis type of tower must not be climbed unless it is retracted, or mechanical safety locking devices have been installed Correct
- DAll these choices are correct
Why: Climb a crank-up tower only when it's retracted or locked with mechanical safety devices.
- T0B08Question 8
Which is a proper grounding method for a tower?
- AA single four-foot ground rod, driven into the ground no more than 12 inches from the base
- BA ferrite-core RF choke connected between the tower and ground
- CA connection between the tower base and a cold-water pipe
- DSeparate eight-foot ground rods for each tower leg, bonded to the tower and each other Correct
Why: Use a separate 8-foot ground rod for each tower leg, bonded to the tower and each other.
- T0B09Question 9
Why should you avoid attaching an antenna to a utility pole?
- AThe antenna will not work properly because of induced voltages
- BThe antenna may unbalance the power transformer, causing power fluctuations
- CThe antenna could contact high-voltage power lines Correct
- DAll these choices are correct
Why: An antenna on a utility pole could contact high-voltage lines.
- T0B10Question 10
Which of the following is true when installing grounding conductors used for lightning protection?
- AUse only non-insulated wire
- BWires must be carefully routed with precise right-angle bends
- CSharp bends must be avoided Correct
- DCommon grounds must be avoided
Why: Sharp bends make lightning grounds less effective, so avoid them.
- T0B11Question 11
Which of the following establishes grounding requirements for an amateur radio tower or antenna?
- AFCC Part 97 rules
- BLocal electrical codes Correct
- CFAA tower lighting regulations
- DUL recommended practices
Why: Local electrical codes set grounding requirements for towers and antennas.