OK, I've bought my frist HF transceiver. Now I want to get on the
air.
I have some basic questions, that may sound dumb..but hey, I'm new
to this, as was everyone at one time, so...I'm wondering how careful
I need to be setting up a station ground, and setting up the antenna.
For instance, is the grounding through the wall outlet sufficient for
the radio? Or should I run a short line from true "earth
ground" (i.e.
via a pipe driven into the earth so many inches, etc.)? As for the
antenna...I have a dipole ordered and am wondering about the cautions
I've read regarding RF, and shocks, etc. Is it safe to have an
antenna
with wires exposed/un-insulated? Can an antenna come into contact
with, or lay on top of say a roof? Are antennas a shock hazard, or
spark/electrical fire hazard, RF exposure hazard? How can these
problems be reasonably minimized? Are there any other things I
need to be cautious about? Also, my father thinks I'm likely to drive
my neighbors crazy with interference from my radio :-{ Any advice?