>
WA2SYN wrote:
> Also, I think that caution is in order here, with ANY tower. It's
>almost like driving a car. Sure, there are quite a few horror stories of
>rather ghastly things that have occurred to many people while driving, but
>that doesn't mean you will drive as they do. Good common sense and lots of
>careful thinking will minimize the mishaps you might otherwise incur with
>a crankup.
There are enough insidious SPECIAL problems involved with crankups that
common sense and careful thinking are NOT enough to keep you out of trouble.
We heard one pretty horrible crankup story here on the contest reflector and
we can ALWAYS point to the problem with 20-20 hindsight and say that won't
happen to us. You are probably right. THAT particular thing won't happen
to you, but something else just as bad quite likely could. I have heard
just TOO MANY crankup horror stories, each one different, to think I have
heard everything. I have heard enough to know I will never own one and
advise all of my friends to do the same.
> It's just plain foolish to climb one while it's extended.
The implication here is that it is OK to climb one when it is not extended.
Let me assure you that that is also a very bad idea. Rich, KL7RA, could
tell you why if only we could get him to tell you his story. Ask ANY
crankup manufacturer what THEY say about climbing their towers, even when
cranked down.
>Crankups are safe towers.
You and I will NEVER agree on this one.
>You don't have to climb up in the air
Only if it tilts over as well as cranks down.
>I almost always work on my
>crankup with a friend for the second set of eyes;
Here is something we agree on.
> we think about what we
>are planning, and approach it thoughtfully - always.
If you EVER climb it, it isn't "thoughtfully" enough.
> As far as what to do if it gets jammed: hire a local professional
>tower person with strong experience. Let him do the job with learned
>skills. The price you'll pay is VERY small when the job is safely completed.
Again we agree that professionals are a good idea for the tricky problem of
a stuck tower. I think the suggestion that K7LXC made about getting a
crankup with a positive pull-down feature is the best way to avoid getting a
crankup stuck in the extended position. Costs more, but it is certainly
worth it, in my opinion.
Come on you guys with the crankup horror stories. It is time to do a public
service and tell your stories. You might be able to save somebody's life or
at least keep them from getting permanently disfigured. Sure it's
embarrasing to talk about getting maimed by a crankup tower but it has
happened to more people than you can imagine and in dozens of different ways.
Stan W7NI@teleport.com
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