Anyone who owns a crankup tower should read this article,
especially the two personal experiences concerning safety issues
when working on these things (in short, DON'T CLIMB!).
When I was old enough to know better (30 to be precise), I
had a 55 foot TRI-EX (about 20 years old at the time) and a couple
times I climbed it about halfway. Of course I was young, strong,
and invincible. Besides, I did put a 2x4 in between the sections
on the way up. Safety belt, what's that? Fortunately the middle
section was awful skinny, so I couldn't go very far up on that
section. Now as I read these accounts and look back at that stupidity,
I feel really fortunate and blessed by God that nothing happened to me.
Later on I met Bob KA1GG, and he taught me a great deal about towers,
including what a safety belt is used for and why!
Steve also warned about runaway crank handles. It happened to
me once. I made a quick decision to try and grab it so that the tower
would not get damaged as it came down full speed. It was an incredibly
bad decision. I still remember laying on the ground in pain. I didn't
break my hand, but it sure was sore for a long, long time.
73, Dave Clemons K1VUT
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