[TowerTalk] Sad news N5IA SK in tower fall

[Richard (Rick) Karlquist]

A ham I know (W6REC) works as an "auditor" for cell site
owners (he works for all the big carriers in a
free lance capability).  He has the authority to
essentially act as a "bouncer" if he sees workers
on site working in an unsafe manner.  According
to him, the maximum height above ground where
free climbing is allowed is "zero", and
there has to be a rescue qualified backup
climber on the ground at all times.  He unfortunately
has to play policeman too frequently.

I didn't know Milt well, but he seemed
to illustrate why 160 is called the "gentlemen's
band".  Certainly, his station was a "beacon"
station in any contest.  Perhaps this tragedy
will induce greater safety in connection with tower work.

Rick N6RK

On 6/14/2016 8:24 AM, Matthew Kaufman wrote:
> Problem comes when you are climbing someone else's tower. After you fall to your death, you don't get to participate in the liability insurance fight that ensues.
>
> My understanding is that this wasn't his own tower, and the tower site owner should be very unhappy with his decision... If a commercial site, definitely a violation of their policies... Which is exactly how hams get kicked off of commercial tower sites, and new hams get turned down when they ask.
>
> Matthew Kaufman
>
>