The stick was insulated but you'll see a GROUND wire attached to the opposite end of the hot dog from the towerDr. Bob, did you see this in person? If the voltage was low frequency AC and the hot dog was on an insulated stick and not touching two conductors, why would it explode? Birds don't explode when they sit on one conductor of a medium high voltage power line.
And to respond to the "what can go wrong?" question in the title- What could go wrong is public perception.
Content like this can trigger people who are inclined to panic over events in life that have a low probability of happening.
The hot dog video relates to public risk from radio towers, to the same extent as a video of an exploding cellphone battery killing someone who is using it. Both are not high probability risks to the general public, and I think making social media content of this is not helpful.
Especially the radio tower example, because a person has to take action to be at risk.
Yes, I attended the seminar. IIRC the stick was grounded. They also drew some very impressive arcs. As I stated previously, the seminar was for people operating pneumatic masts that can and have been raised into overhead power lines. The seminar also included a video of a lineman who inadvertently reached and contacted a live line without proper protective gear. He survived, but had severe injuries and he was in an “insulated” bucket truck. The term insulated being dependent on the condition and cleanliness of the truck.Dr. Bob, did you see this in person? If the voltage was low frequency AC and the hot dog was on an insulated stick and not touching two conductors, why would it explode? Birds don't explode when they sit on one conductor of a medium high voltage power line.
And to respond to the "what can go wrong?" question in the title- What could go wrong is public perception.
Content like this can trigger people who are inclined to panic over events in life that have a low probability of happening.
The hot dog video relates to public risk from radio towers, to the same extent as a video of an exploding cellphone battery killing someone who is using it. Both are not high probability risks to the general public, and I think making social media content of this is not helpful.
Especially the radio tower example, because a person has to take action to be at risk.
Another advantage of the industry moving away from expensive and dangerous situations involving live trucks with microwave masts to Cell/IP like Dejero, LiveU, Comrex, etc. Not only can you stop the madness of buying and maintaining expensive vans and the risks involved, but MMJ's can easily set up their own live shot from the contents in their backpack.It was advised that if you did raise a mast into a power line and you were inside the truck making it line potential, to jump as far away as possible, crouch in a ball and shuffle your feet in small steps to minimize the displacement currents.
The downside to using wireless data connectivity for video (or audio for that matter) is that you are dependent on the various wireless carriers for service. During severe weather or a natural catastrophe, the carriers might not be able to provide the data connectivity due to inoperable sites or high demand.Another advantage of the industry moving away from expensive and dangerous situations involving live trucks with microwave masts to Cell/IP like Dejero, LiveU, Comrex, etc. Not only can you stop the madness of buying and maintaining expensive vans and the risks involved, but MMJ's can easily set up their own live shot from the contents in their backpack.
I think most stations are keeping at least one sat or live truck around in case such a calamity were to occur. These days operations use Starlink portable Internet terminals along with Dejero's and LiveView should cell/PCS be unavailable. $140 a month for a Starlink subscription is cheaper than paying someone to sit around waiting to drive a live truck or the risks and costs involved with maintaining such vehicles and radio gear.The downside to using wireless data connectivity for video (or audio for that matter) is that you are dependent on the various wireless carriers for service. During severe weather or a natural catastrophe, the carriers might not be able to provide the data connectivity due to inoperable sites or high demand.
Not privy to the financials but here in Atlanta the "storm trucks" are sponcered usually by a truck/ car advertiser and they broadcast going into the storm. Usually the "newest weather or news reporter" is making reports. If some something really bad happens I guess "new" talent is "expendable". I assume they are using a cell company's data. The news crews have vans with small dishs on the roof. There are some vans without the dish too.Another advantage of the industry moving away from expensive and dangerous situations involving live trucks with microwave masts to Cell/IP like Dejero, LiveU, Comrex, etc. Not only can you stop the madness of buying and maintaining expensive vans and the risks involved, but MMJ's can easily set up their own live shot from the contents in their backpack.
Maxxkonnect supplies prioritized cell service, puts you just below E911, so it works in congested situations. The real problem with depending on wireless data is simple cell availability in shielded areas indoors. The simple backpack fails a lot because the operator is in a location with no service. But congestion is not the issue with prioritized service.The downside to using wireless data connectivity for video (or audio for that matter) is that you are dependent on the various wireless carriers for service. During severe weather or a natural catastrophe, the carriers might not be able to provide the data connectivity due to inoperable sites or high demand.
I’m aware of first responder level priority service like FirstNet and Frontline. Another priority service is Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) which is federal program and must be used with Wireless Priority Service (WPS). Both GETS & WPS must be approved in advanced with GETS seemingly having more stringent requirements. WPS provides for the “call” to go into a cue if the network is congested but you get priority over the general public. I don’t know about Maxxknonnect specifics, but I’m assuming that it uses WPS?Maxxkonnect supplies prioritized cell service, puts you just below E911, so it works in congested situations. The real problem with depending on wireless data is simple cell availability in shielded areas indoors. The simple backpack fails a lot because the operator is in a location with no service. But congestion is not the issue with prioritized service.
Could be, I don't think they specifically say what they're doing. It's presented in terms a user easily understand. I have clients that use it with success.WPS provides for the “call” to go into a cue if the network is congested but you get priority over the general public. I don’t know about Maxxknonnect specifics, but I’m assuming that it uses WPS?
To honest it looks like the start of a Workman's Comp case. I hope some idiot without gloves, wooden stick, a knowledge of the he is doing doesn't try to climb a fence and try this for a tick tock challenge.This is a father/son combination that has done a few broadcasting-related things for the clicks...
This one - not sure I would recommend it, but dad's the CE at the station.
If something went sideways, he'd be the one on the hook to fix it.
Tower-Hotdog of the Week Calendars?I know the Geerlings, and they're great guys. I'm hoping to collaborate with them on some video projects someday.
Russia's own Beavis & Butthead bagged that challenge 11 years ago on Youtube. They did at least wear gloves, but evidently got a painful taste of RF anyway:To honest it looks like the start of a Workman's Comp case. I hope some idiot without gloves, wooden stick, a knowledge of the he is doing doesn't try to climb a fence and try this for a tick tock challenge.
That was actually in Ukraine btw.Russia's own Beavis & Butthead bagged that challenge 11 years ago on Youtube. They did at least wear gloves, but evidently got a painful taste of RF anyway: