[TowerTalk] Sad day - W9ZUC tower accident

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

On 9/23/2014 9:55 AM, Bill via TowerTalk wrote:

Through the years, I never slipped on a tower, or needed the fall 
arrest, but I was very slow and methodical.  OTOH, I averaged well over 
30,000 miles a year from 1960 through 1997 which totals well over a 
million miles.  I never needed the seat belt, air bags, and crumple 
zones until that SUV shot out in front of my TA.  I left less than 12 
feet of skid marks and stopped so quick all the antennas on the car 
pointed straight forward. Even the TM-D700 control head smashed the 
mount flat.  I made use of the seat belt, air bags, and crumple zones 
and walked away with just a few bruises.  The TA was totaled!

When flying, all that emergency training seems a waste, but I practiced 
those procedures diligently..  Nearly 2000 hours and no problems, but 
then I had three engine failures on climb out in less than 3 years. Put 
it back on the airport without bending anything every time.  Talk about 
an adrenalin rush!

So it is as in climbing, That stuff is just excess baggage until it's 
needed.  THEN you really appreciate it.

73

Roger (K8RI)

> Back in the 80s and the 90s I free-climbed many times too.   One day after
> reaching the top at 165 feet I decided to lean back from the tower  to begin
> my work.  Only problem was I hadn't put the belt around the  tower.  My
> mind did a self check and right before I let go, I didn't.   I quickly put my
> belt around the tower and actually shook for a while, thinking  how close I
> had become to being a silent key.
>   
> Wearing a seat belt has been rather useless over the years  too.  I've
> never been in an accident where I needed it.  But, you only  need to use it one
> time to save your life.
>   
> Belt up guys!
>   
> K4XS/KH7XS
>   
>   
> In a message dated 9/23/2014 1:38:39 P.M. Coordinated Universal Time,
> dj7ww at t-online.de writes:
>
> Why  repeat it again and again?
> We know you are the  greatest...
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk  [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of
> Doug
> Renwick
>
> I have been climbing, free climbing, for 40  years.  I never kept track; I
> probably have easily made at least 1000  climbs or more as a ham operator in
> that  period.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk  mailing  list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk


-- 

73

Roger (K8RI)


---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com