[TowerTalk] Disturbing tower picture in QST

[Bill Coleman]

I received a reply from Steve Ford, WB8IMY, who is the editor of QST.

He assured me that all three gentlemen were wearing climbing belts, 
although they are not visible in the picture.

On Oct 12, 2004, at 11:32 PM, Bill Coleman wrote:
> In the October 2004 QST, on page 52, there's a rather disturbing 
> picture. It shows three hams on a tower. Ostensibly, they are 
> installing a 2m antenna at a hospital as part of an Eagle Scout 
> project.
>
> Here's the disturbing part. Although it isn't possible to tell for 
> certain from the photograph, NONE of the tower climbers appear to be 
> wearing any sort of climbing safety gear. One gentleman on the left of 
> the picture appears to have a strap around his rib cage. The gentleman 
> above him on the right seems to have a similar clip to the tower. The 
> fellow below and to the right has nothing, and doesn't appear to be 
> doing anything to further the installation.
>
> Now, I'm all for doing good things for the benefit of the general 
> public, and installing a 2m antenna system in a hospital is a good 
> thing. BUT, that's no reason to compromise safety.
>
> Tower climbing is a dangerous activity. Proper safety gear and all 
> safety precautions ought to be followed.
>
> QST ought to consider the consequence of publishing pictures showing 
> hams recklessly endangering themselves.
>
> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
>             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901
>
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Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901