Hey, we ALL have to be lucky to be still here.
From: Ken K6MR <k6mr@outlook.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2021 10:14 AM
To: Steve Jones <n6sj@earthlink.net>; 'Ken Alker' <ka6ken@alker.net>;
towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] Climbing a crank-up tower when nested
Yep, I know it can happen. I knew a kid that had that happen just after
getting his new crank up. We always called him "Fingers" from there after.
I was in the antenna business (worked for a TriEx dealer in Los Angeles) for
a short while in the late 60s and early 70s. Put in lots of crankups.
Always climbed them, with proper precautions. Like anything, done properly
it's not a problem. I even climbed a few that were cranked up all the way.
Back in the day it was quicker to climb it than crank it down and then back
up with a hand winch.
And yes, some things we did when younger are a little cringe worthy. Like
leather climbing belts. And no 100% tie off. Some of us survived, some
didn't. Other than sticking my hand in a live amplifier, I really didn't do
anything really stupid. I'm still here (and still climbing) so sometimes it
is better to be lucky than good.
Ken K6MR
From: Steve Jones <mailto:n6sj@earthlink.net>
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2021 09:14
To: 'Ken Alker' <mailto:ka6ken@alker.net> ; towertalk@contesting.com
<mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Climbing a crank-up tower when nested
Ken,
Crankups are notorious (or at least used to be) for settling to their own
weight when cranked down, then settling just a little more with added weight
of someone climbing on them. Tends to chop off fingers! A ham friend once
described to be how he carefully inserted well-cured 2x4's between each gap
through the tower as he climbed, to protect his fingers from crushing.
Sounded too scary to me. I'm happy to tilt over my crank-up. Besides, when
fully nested, the antenna is around 23 feet off the ground, so I'd need to
either climb the bracing or use a ladder, neither of which appeal to me. I
used to climb my 120' Doug fir tree here where I mounted a Rohn 25 tower top
to install my cubical quad and rotor. But I was 30 years younger then, and
just a bit more cautious now. Maybe newer crankup designs have built-in
stops or brakes for safety. In that case you should be fine.
73,
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
<mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> > On Behalf Of Ken Alker
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2021 7:35 AM
To: towertalk@contesting.com <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Climbing a crank-up tower when nested
Why would you never climb a crank-up when nested? I'm considering putting
up a tower, and your comment made me curious.
Thanks,
Ken
--On Saturday, June 26, 2021 9:59 AM -0700 Steve Jones <n6sj@earthlink.net
<mailto:n6sj@earthlink.net> >
wrote:
> Al,
> I have a UST HDX-589. It tilts from the base. I installed my Orion
> 2800 and TiltPlate plus DB42 on a chrome moly mast with it tilted
> over, resting on a pile of railroad ties about 4 feet high. No
> problem tilting all that hardware back up to vertical. I would never
> climb a crank-up tower when nested vertical or otherwise. Not
> familiar with the DX-70. I have lots of photos if you're interested.
> 73,
> Steve
> N6SJ
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
<mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> > On Behalf Of
> al.n6ta@gmail.com <mailto:al.n6ta@gmail.com>
> Sent: Friday, June 25, 2021 10:03 PM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Tilting over a DX-70: how far over will it go?
>
> I am contemplating purchase of a new DX-70 or the HDX572. The DX-70
> tilts horizontally being level at about 9' above ground. Has anyone
> tilted it further than horizontal to get the antenna (on a tilt plate)
> closer to the ground for convenience? My site will be suboptimal for
> use of a ladder or lift to get up that 9' for maintenance.
>
> I realize the 572 tilts at the base, not 9' up.
>
> Also, did you tilt up from ground on initial erection with a mast and
> rotor installed or put those in once it was vertical and then tilted over?
>
>
>
> Thanks for any tips!
>
> Al
>
> N6TA
>
>
>
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