[TowerTalk] Climbing a crank-up tower when nested

Sun Jun 27 14:10:55 EDT 2021

Hey, we ALL have to be lucky to be still here.

From: Ken K6MR <k6mr at outlook.com> 
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2021 10:14 AM
To: Steve Jones <n6sj at earthlink.net>; 'Ken Alker' <ka6ken at alker.net>;
towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] Climbing a crank-up tower when nested

Yep, I know it can happen.  I knew a kid that had that happen just after
getting his new crank up.  We always called him "Fingers" from there after.

I was in the antenna business (worked for a TriEx dealer in Los Angeles) for
a short while in the late 60s and early 70s.  Put in lots of crankups.
Always climbed them, with proper precautions.  Like anything, done properly
it's not a problem.  I even climbed a few that were cranked up all the way.
Back in the day it was quicker to climb it than crank it down and then back
up with a hand winch.

And yes, some things we did when younger are a little cringe worthy.  Like
leather climbing belts.  And no 100% tie off.  Some of us survived, some
didn't.  Other than sticking my hand in a live amplifier, I really didn't do
anything really stupid.  I'm still here (and still climbing) so sometimes it
is better to be lucky than good.

Ken K6MR

From: Steve Jones <mailto:n6sj at earthlink.net> 
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2021 09:14
To: 'Ken Alker' <mailto:ka6ken at alker.net> ; towertalk at contesting.com
<mailto:towertalk at contesting.com> 
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Climbing a crank-up tower when nested

Ken,
Crankups are notorious (or at least used to be) for settling to their own
weight when cranked down, then settling just a little more with added weight
of someone climbing on them.  Tends to chop off fingers!  A ham friend once
described to be how he carefully inserted well-cured 2x4's between each gap
through the tower as he climbed, to protect his fingers from crushing.
Sounded too scary to me.  I'm happy to tilt over my crank-up.  Besides, when
fully nested, the antenna is around 23 feet off the ground, so I'd need to
either climb the bracing or use a ladder, neither of which appeal to me.  I
used to climb my 120' Doug fir tree here where I mounted a Rohn 25 tower top
to install my cubical quad and rotor.  But I was 30 years younger then, and
just a bit more cautious now.  Maybe newer crankup designs have built-in
stops or brakes for safety.  In that case you should be fine.
73,
Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
<mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> > On Behalf Of Ken Alker
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2021 7:35 AM
To: towertalk at contesting.com <mailto:towertalk at contesting.com> 
Subject: [TowerTalk] Climbing a crank-up tower when nested

Why would you never climb a crank-up when nested?  I'm considering putting
up a tower, and your comment made me curious.

Thanks,
Ken

--On Saturday, June 26, 2021 9:59 AM -0700 Steve Jones <n6sj at earthlink.net
<mailto:n6sj at earthlink.net> >
wrote:

> Al,
> I have a UST HDX-589.  It tilts from the base.  I installed my Orion 
> 2800 and TiltPlate plus DB42 on a chrome moly mast with it tilted 
> over, resting on a pile of railroad ties about 4 feet high.  No 
> problem tilting all that hardware back up to vertical.  I would never 
> climb a crank-up tower when nested vertical or otherwise.  Not 
> familiar with the DX-70.  I have lots of photos if you're interested.
>  73,
> Steve
> N6SJ
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
<mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> > On Behalf Of 
> al.n6ta at gmail.com <mailto:al.n6ta at gmail.com> 
> Sent: Friday, June 25, 2021 10:03 PM
> To: towertalk at contesting.com <mailto:towertalk at contesting.com> 
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Tilting over a DX-70: how far over will it go?
>
> I am contemplating purchase of a new DX-70 or the HDX572.  The DX-70 
> tilts horizontally being level at about 9' above ground.  Has anyone 
> tilted it further than horizontal to get the antenna (on a tilt plate) 
> closer to the ground for convenience?  My site will be suboptimal for 
> use of a ladder or lift to get up that 9' for maintenance.
>
> I realize the 572 tilts at the base, not 9' up.
>
> Also, did you tilt up from ground on initial erection with a mast and 
> rotor installed or put those in once it was vertical and then tilted over?
>
>
>
> Thanks for any tips!
>
> Al
>
> N6TA
>
>
>
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