There are varying excuses for not wanting to climb towers any longer,
too old is one ! At 83 and a ham for over 67 years, I prefer (not
desire) to only have to climb no more than 30-40 feet on something
similar to Rohn 45 or 55.
So some months ago, when confronted with climbing a retracted crank
up tower, with diagonal bracing, I purchased an aluminum 24'
extension ladder from Walmart, on sale for about $144. Prior to
using it, I installed "ears or wings" on the top of each of its
vertical members to prevent it, when leaning up against my tower,
from inadvertently sliding off. With the ladder's base about 3 to 5
feet away from the tower's base, it provides a comfortable climbing
angle. I further anchored and stabilized it to the tower, with three
strategically placed, rachet "tie down" straps around both the tower
and the ladder, along it's length.
This is a cheap mental and physical insurance policy for climbing
retracted crank up towers, if you can't also "lay them down". Bear
in mind that the advertised length of these ladders does not reflect
the necessary overlap distance of their sections. Also there's
nothing wrong with storing them in place !
Chuck, W7CS
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