[TowerTalk] Wires in trees

[Art Boyars]

If you have a little room around the trees you might try a trick I learned from utility line workers.  It will take at least two people.  One end of the wire can be fixed, but you need to be able to haul in and out on one end.

X's are two "good" trees; O's are an obstacle that blocks the wire from going up.
Let's say the right end of wire is fixed; left end is hanging down.
    ___           _______
   / X \         /      X
  /  X  \   O   /       X
     X   \__O__/        X
     X                  X

You loop a rope (light) over the middle of the wire, between the two trees.  Holding both ends of the rope, you can pull the wire toward you.  If you're lucky, you can get it far enough out to clear the obstacle (the "bad" tree) while your helper pulls the wire up at the appropriate time.  The rope will slide along the wire, so you can adjust your azimuth for pulling; that might help clear the obstacle.  And a second rope over the wire (and helper) will give you more flexibility.

That works for two trees and one obstacle.  With your multiple trees you will probably have to repeat it obstacle by obstacle (keeping left end fixed) until you are over all the bad trees.  And that means you have to get a messenger line and halyard over the each bad tree as you go along.

Pain in the neck?  Absolutely.  But a lot cheaper than hiring a helicopter.  Will it work?  Depends on if you have enough room to wiggle between the trees.

73 & GL, Art K3KU