[TowerTalk] Old Safety Belt

[Kenneth R. Goodwin, Jr.]

In the climbing game, any harness older than 5 years old is 
automatically thrown away whether it has been used or not. This 
specifically applies to webbing but should convey the thought that 
there is a finite life to climbing belts especially those that use webbing.

The W2ONV belts break one of the cardinal rules of climbing towers 
that one should ALWAYS be 'clipped in' (attached to the tower).  The 
ONV belt can only be used as a positioning/fall restraint lanyard but 
then only if it is attached to the tower at all times.  Being tied in 
at all times with these 'safety belts' rarely happens except at the 
final work location on the tower.  This 'safety belt' has no means to 
be used as a fall arrest device and doesn't provide full time 
protection.  With a 3 foot rope lanyard, you have to unclip sometime 
to move up or down the tower.

Go purchase a full body harness along with some gorilla hooks on a 
shock absorbing lanyard and stay clipped in at all times.  I 
personally feel that the advertising and selling of these 'safety 
belts' should not be allowed since it conveys the thought to the 
amateur radio operator that this is all one needs to climb a 
tower.  I know that is what I believed when I purchased my ONV safety 
belt.  After all it was advertised in all of the radio magazines and 
they wouldn't lead me astray would they??

73,  Ken K5RG