[TowerTalk] Plenty of Ham Friends who climb towers

[Roger (K8RI)]

> Jeremy wrote:
>
>> Well, Im 66 and still climb; including my 180' Rohn 45. Ive 4 >towers on
>> the  property.
>
> Howdy all
>
> This has been an interesting thread, but no one has touched on my problem.
>
> If I get more that 10 feet in the air, I start getting very nervous.  The
> thought of climbing a 40 foot tower makes me break out in a sweat.  I have 
> a
> small 2 section 36 foot crank-up, right next to the house, and I can step
> onto it from the roof of my shack when it is all the way down and the top
> section is resting on the ground.  That puts the top about 6 feet above 
> the
> flat roof of my shack. I feel pretty comfortable that way.
>
> I used to climb the big tree behind the house when I used to drink a lot 
> :-)
> Was pretty brave then.
>
> I think putting up a crank-up, tilt-over is the way to go, for me anyway.

And it's a good thought. When climbing makes a person uncomfortable they 
shouldn't.
For those who haven't climbed and have no fear, they should get some and 
then get some instruction, or coaching. If they gain a healthy respect for 
climbing and its dangers and still want to climb then have at it.

As a personal opinion:
I think far too many hams take a cavalier attitude toward climbing.
Unlike flying which is not inherrently dangerous, but very unforgiving, 
tower climbing is *relatively* dangerous and also unforgiving.


73

Roger (K8RI)
> 73
> Tom W7WHY