Robert Busch - DL7VOA wrote:

KH4 - MIDWAY ATOLL, OC-030
The Midway atoll is one of the most wanted DXCC entities (as seen from
Europe). Its scarcity value increased over the past few years after
Midway has been closed to the public in January 2002. Carolyn Bohan,
the regional head of the "National Wildlife Refuge Pacific Region
(US Fish and Wildlife Service)" gave her blessing to a visitor plan,
which could come into effect in November 2007 or January 2008. This
plan explicitly includes amateur radio activities but restrictions may
apply to the antennas. They must be designed in a way not to harm any
birds on Midway.



I couldn't help but notice this one. What is the danger to birds from
antennas? I've been around a number of different antennas, towers, etc,
both temporary and permanent. I haven't seen any evidence of harm to
wildlife.

I had heard of danger to birds at a very powerful shortwave site using
open wire balanced line, (a macabre story) but that just wouldn't happen
in any setup likely to be used today.

- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -

On Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:51:18 -0400, Michael Coslo wrote:
I couldn't help but notice this one. What is the danger to birds from
antennas? I've been around a number of different antennas, towers, etc,
both temporary and permanent. I haven't seen any evidence of harm to
wildlife.

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/is...rs/agenda.html

Our tower (I work for a TV station) has been the site of an annual survey
on this topic. (I hear our station's founder was an avid conservationist
and was very concerned about these bird kills)

Best information I have is that we don't know *what* the danger is, but we
do know that it exists.

That said, we're talking about much larger towers than would ever be
involved in a ham DXpedition!

I suppose there's a risk to small rodents (mice, squirrels, etc.) because
the tower makes an excellent perch for birds-of-prey!

Seriously, I suspect the concern isn't as much that the antennas
themselves will harm wildlife, as that amateurs will disturb habitat as
they erect those antennas.