Unit 5 — Calibration and Verification

TM-GEAR-011 — Open Handout TM Chapters: Chapter 6, Chapter 7 ELOs: Calibrate the MAST AND TOWER — PORTABLE AND FIXED INSTALLATIONS; verify performance against acceptance criteria; complete calibration log Estimated time: 45 minutes (actual lab work required)

Step 1: Read the TM

Open TM-GEAR-011. Read Chapter 6 — Calibration and Chapter 7 — Verification and Acceptance completely.

Then come back here.

Chapter 6 — Calibration Content

1. Measure actual mast height with a measuring tape or laser rangefinder. Record height at each clamp position for future reference.
2. Verify guy wire tension: each guy in a set of three should be tensioned equally. Use a wire tension gauge; target 10–15% of rated breaking strength for operational tension.
3. Plumb verification: with all guys tensioned, measure horizontal offset at the top with a plumb line. Must be <1% of mast height.

Chapter 7 — Verification Content

1. Mast plumb within 1% of height (e.g., <0.1 m offset for a 10 m mast).
2. All guy wires tensioned and attachment hardware secure (no loose turnbuckles, no shackle pins without cotter pins).
3. Wind load calculation completed and documented for the installed configuration (mast height, antenna size, design wind speed).
4. Log: date, mast type, height, antenna mounted, guy radius, design wind speed, tension measurements, operator.

Calibration vs. Verification — Distinction

Calibration (Chapter 6): active adjustments to bring the component within specification. You are permitted to adjust, tweak, and repeat until the criterion is met.

Verification (Chapter 7): independent confirmation that the calibration succeeded. No adjustments are permitted during verification. If a verification check fails, you return to Chapter 6, not to Chapter 7.

Acceptance Criterion

A criterion found in Chapter 6: 15%. Confirm the exact criterion in the TM.

Write the exact criterion from the TM here before you start the lab:

Lab Checklist

Work through each item in sequence. Do not skip steps.

• [ ] All required equipment gathered and ready
• [ ] Equipment warmed up per TM requirements
• [ ] All Chapter 4 setup steps verified complete
• [ ] Chapter 6 calibration performed (all steps)
• [ ] Calibration criterion met (recorded below)
• [ ] Chapter 7 verification performed (all steps, no adjustments)
• [ ] All verification criteria passed
• [ ] Calibration log entry completed

Calibration Log Entry

• [ ] Date
• [ ] Equipment used
• [ ] Measurements taken
• [ ] Results vs. criteria
• [ ] Operator name

Record your results:

Self-Check Questions

SC5-1. What is the acceptance criterion for this calibration (from Chapter 7)?

SC5-2. During verification, one reading fails. What is the correct action per the TM?

SC5-3. List the items required in a calibration log entry per Chapter 7.

SC5-4. What is the difference between calibration and verification in this context?

SC5-5. If the component passes all Chapter 7 checks, what does that tell you about its current state?

Answer Key

SC5-1. See Chapter 7. The criterion is stated as a specific value with units.

SC5-2. Stop verification. Return to Chapter 6 and re-calibrate. Diagnose the cause before re-adjusting.

SC5-3. See Chapter 7, last numbered step. The log items are listed there.

SC5-4. Calibration allows adjustments; verification does not. Verification is independent confirmation.

SC5-5. It tells you the component is performing within its specified parameters at this time. It does not tell you how long it will remain in calibration — periodic re-verification is required.

Checkpoint

You are ready for the final assessment when you can: - [ ] State the acceptance criterion from memory - [ ] State the difference between calibration and verification - [ ] State the required log items from memory

→ Proceed to Final Assessment