Ed,
Wow! I hope all came out ok in the end. I am in the process of putting
up four towers at my home. No matter how many times I tell how many
people I won't climb alone, I always do. It's an accident waiting to
happen that we all deny.
Chuck, KZ5MM
K4SB wrote:
> This one's on me. For the first time in 44 years, I left a serious
> amount of blood on a tower,
> and as a result, have a badly broken left paw which required immediate
>
> surgery.
>
> Was stepping in a 2" 1/8" wall aluminum mast to the regular 12'
> molybdenum ( finally got
> a spell checker which knows how to spell it ) mast. Aluminum part
> telescopes over a solid
> machined 30" piece of T6. Using come-along to jack moly be damned up.
>
> Even had muffler clamps around both to prevent either or both from
> falling through rotor
> plate. Needed to lower the thing a little so reached in to release the
>
> come-along safety latch
> ( the main latch was supposed to still hold it) Well, the main failed,
>
> and the masts dropped
> about 8' until the muffler clamp stopped it by smashing into the back
> of
> my left hand.
>
> Worst part was it trapped my arm and hand, nightfall was coming, temp
> low 40s, and no
> ground crew. Best part is the cable from the come-along remained
> hooked
> to the bottom
> of the mast. Finally had presence of mind to check and see if
> come-along
> would raise
> mast. It did. I hate to think what would have happened otherwise. By
> now
> chilled to the bone, arterial bleeding ( did I mention I threw up a
> couple of times?) and 75' in the air. Managed to climb down, go to
> emergency room, and so forth.
>
> Stupid? yes! On several points. ( and I'd rather not read about them )
>
> Don't let this happen to you! Never thought much about it, but don't
> EVER put your hands into a tower with an unsecured mass. ( 110 pounds
> )
>
> 73
>
> Ed
>
> --
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