[TowerTalk] RE: Tower Climbing Gear

[K. Alan Robbins]

Larry, N1TX writes:

Safety is of utmost importance when dangling above the solid earth, whether
two feet or 200 feet....I'd like to hear from others on types of equipment,
tools, and various hardware used for doing the high work.

Here's what I swear by:

I use the full body harness, not a belt.  What's nice about this setup is
that you can loop the safety lanyard around the tower while climbing, and
then once you get up there you can thread it through the tower at whatever
tension you want.  That way you're not required to lean at a specific angle
just to stay safe.  My helper, KW8G, uses a traditional belt and after
watching me use the harness he believes it to be a better arrangement also.
Even if your feet slip you're still attached.

Don't even think of doing serious tower work without a good gin pole.  I use
the one by WX0B.

Another very useful item is the Maxon Hands Free Communicator FM headsets
that have VOX.  You wear these over one ear and they do not require you to
free up a hand for PTT.  Very nice when talking to your ground crew.  You
can find these on E-Bay for $50-$75.

I always go up with a rope/pulley/carabineer arrangement, and use a canvas
tool bag by West Marine to ferry tools/pieces up/down.  I've seen other hams
climb up with four or five little tool pouches strapped on, much much safer
to have the ground crew send stuff up rather than trying to carry it all
with you.

Another ham who's call I won't mention dumped an entire tool pouch loaded
with all manner of sockets, drivers, and wrenches on my head from 100'
because he insists on taking an entire tool box up with him for every job.
Which brings me to my final point: Wear a hard hat if you're working with
someone else!!

73 de W8VCK