[TowerTalk] tower accident-- ALMOST!

[Guy Olinger, K2AV]

I have a favorite belt hanging in the garage that I used on towers at W4KXV
and W4BVV in the 60's. I can't bear to throw it away.

But for the upcoming tower work, I ordered a new body harness, etc, from
Champion.

I weigh a lot more now than then. Too much trouble to fill in the crater if
I fall...


73 & don't fool around up in the air....


Guy


----- Original Message -----
From: Bud <k4isv@westky.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 1999 7:19 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] tower accident-- ALMOST!


>
> A few nights ago a friend borrowed my safety belt to install a TV tower.
> Today I needed the belt to do some work on the 80M antenna @ 190ft.  No
> problem, I thought, since my OLD belt was hanging in the garage.  This OLD
> belt was given to me in the 60's and had not been used for at least 10-15
> years.  It still LOOKED GREAT!  I think it was just blind luck that I
> decided to do a small test ... I hooked it around the tower--  both legs
> still on the ground and tugged a bit--- NO PROBLEM.  I climbed up about 3
> ft and rehooked exerting more and more pressure and then gave a sudden
jolt
> as hard as I could---- next thing I new I was on my back on the ground!
> The leather strap, although looking great, had snapped in half.  Even a
3ft
> slip shook up these old bones---- sure glad it wasnt at 190.
>
>
> I did secure another belt and the driven element of the M2 3 ele 80 is
back
> up and the antenna is back to life!   It does make you think though... why
> take down the 80m beam in winter and put it up in the summer??
>
> Be careful guys... one simple ( stupid ) mistake and its over.
>
> 73
>
> Bud K4ISV
>
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>


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