Why is this important? My 60 radials per vertical in my 80m 4-square are buried a couple of inches below the surface and I consider that grounded. Also where the radials cross each other I did not bo
I have let BX type towers just free fall with no damage. Of course they did not fall on the ground but instead into a good layer of snow. Doug "Think of all the ways you can hurt yourself laughing."
Just where has the ham spirit gone? Everything seems to have to be done by professionals. Soil analysis ... really. I don't see the power company doing a soil analysis before screwing in an anchor he
Here is my take. A blanket statement does not fit all situations. A middle bearing does have merit. I cases where a long mast fits inside the tower or there are stacked antennas on the same mast, a m
I have said this many times before. If you can't 'free climb' then you SHOULD NOT be climbing at all. The use of a gorilla hook has it's place - for resting or at the work station. But IMO it should
What's the difference between dying falling to the ground, and dying hanging from the tower with a fall arrest harness? You avoid the agony of a slow death in a fall arrest harness. Doug --Original M
Are you talking from experience or just speculating? When climbing, remember I said climbing, my 'free' hand is in close proximity to the tower and if anything should happen to my other hand or feet,
One of my short lanyards had locking mechanisms on the hook. What I found with experience is the locking mechanisms were more of a hazard than without. I found them so difficult to unhook with one ha
Where I live, by the time a rescue team would reach me, I would be dead hanging from the tower. If I had to wait until a ground person was available ... I would still be waiting. I usually caring my
I have been climbing, free climbing, for 40 years. I never kept track; I probably have easily made at least 1000 climbs or more as a ham operator in that period. Doug I wasn't born in Saskatchewan, b
I have been climbing, free climbing, for 40 years. I never kept track; I probably have easily made at least 1000 climbs or more as a ham operator in that period. Doug I wasn't born in Saskatchewan, b
Bob, Do you have more information than what was posted? You say he was free climbing. According to the news report "Although he was wearing a safety harness he was not tied off, according to Chippewa
I wasn't born in Saskatchewan, but I got here as soon as I could. --Original Message-- I fully agree. The facts say his life likely ended before or during the fall, and not from the fall. No amount o
What a view. It appears that he free climbed the entire mast without stopping for a rest ... amazing. Those who can't, criticise those who can. Doug I wasn't born in Saskatchewan, but I got here as s
Mike, It's good to hear from people who are realistic and have common sense. Free climbing has been around for thousands of years and will continue for many more. Some folks get all twisted and bent
Jim, Some of these "safety devices" are good in theory. But can anyone tell me how many lives they have saved in the ham community? How many lives have been saved with a full body harness or the stee
I want to make sure everyone understands that I do use safety equipment when working on a tower. Ed you spoke the magic words "acceptable risk". Everyone has a different level of acceptable risk i
We have discussed this subject many times before and it appears to be a waste of time as some folks have completely forgotten that SELF SUPPORTING TOWERS CAN BE GUYED. Thirty seven years of guying se
I have a hard time, like you, understanding why some folks think guying any self supporting tower is a bad idea. Some folks over analyze and over engineer something that has been successfully done fo
Well you are going to have to take that point up with sdsc.edu. "Metals like steel are elastic materials. Such materials are equally strong in compression as in tension. ... when subjected to very la