Option 100 Fault Location and SRL 7-5
Characterizing and Verifying Antenna Systems
Potential Problems
Potential Problems
Antenna feedline systems are typically the most common sources of
failure in a communication system. The problems associated with these
systems can be hard to identify and, once found, are usually located high
on a tower. With the right test equipment, identifying and isolating
problems becomes very easy, and can be done at ground level.
Transmission Lines/Antennas
The following problems may occur with transmission lines or antennas:
• weather damage
–lightning
–moisture
–corrosion
• vandalism
• cable discontinuities
• pinched cables
The transmission lines are exposed to all sorts of weather conditions
which cause damage by mechanical stress, lightning, moisture, and
corrosive atmospheres. Towers make good targets for vandals, as a very
common cause of failure is created by bullet holes in the cables or
antennas. Other common problems in the feedlines or antennas include
discontinuities such as damaged junctions or support bends, and pinched
cables caused by over-tightened hangers, or accidental denting by tower
climbers.
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