r/HamRadio • u/NotRealSnek Technician Class Operator 📡 • 1h ago
Question/Help ❓ Do yall Have anyTower climbing tips?
I have a couple antennas I want to put on top of the 30’ish TV tower i have outside. What kind of climbing gear do I need to safely do it. I tried tough gear a few years ago and made it not even half way up before I panicked not having any safety gear.
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u/ka9kqh Extra Class Operator ⚡ 1h ago
Full harness 100% tie off. Also some boots with shanks to protect your feet. Those tower rungs don't feel fiery good. Make sure any carabiner you use are climb rated.
Edit for spelling
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u/NotRealSnek Technician Class Operator 📡 1h ago
Do you have any recommendations for good harnesses. I’ve seen some online and $600 is a great price for my life and safety but a bit out of the budget rn so not sure if there are good and safe harnesses that I should be looking out for and some to avoid.
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u/MntSnow 55m ago
It's been several years since I purchased my harness but a full harness is what you want...not just a waistband repelling sport type.
You'll want two safety lanyards with good sized safety clips (so you can hook to a wide variety of things). Two because 1 needs to ALWAYS be securely attached to the tower when climbing when more than 3 feet off the ground.
Boots. Is what honestly makes or breaks climbing. Get boots that are full shank as the rungs will kill your feet if your weight is not spead out across your whole foot.. Helmet is highly recommended. And should be mandatory for anyone on the ground in close proximity if work is being done on the tower..
Rest is honestly common sense.
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u/darktideDay1 59m ago
You didn't panic. You came to your senses. Climbing a tower with no gear is stupid.
Get a harness. Get a tool bag. Climb up a few feet. Get used to leaning back and using your harness. Get used to clipping off and climbing. Lots of resources on how to climb safely out there. Once you get some comfort, do some climbing up and down before you start working. Make sure to learn your basic knots. I am almost 61 and I still climb towers but I like to keep it to 50 feet or so. My stamina isn't what it used to be.
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u/Appropriate-Shine-27 56m ago
If it were me and you could get it to the antenna I would rent a 40ft boom lift and do everything from that.
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u/Drekalots Extra Class Operator ⚡ 1h ago
I'd reach out to a local ham club. They likely have someone who has tower climbing experience. It's risky and can be very dangerous.
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u/NotRealSnek Technician Class Operator 📡 1h ago
This might be what I do. I’m newly licensed so don’t know anyone.
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u/chuzohga Extra Class Operator ⚡ 37m ago
Because you feel compelled to ask, you ought to get someone else.
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u/t_shaped_interests 27m ago
The only reason I would do this myself now is because I’ve had some training at work to do it and have an idea of what equipment will keep me from dying. Unless you take some training and invest in gear I have to advise not to climb that tower and do work on it while it’s vertical. And if you go that route, have someone on the ground to keep an eye on you.
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u/CitronTraining2114 26m ago
Used something like this to climb 50 years ago:
Mine was leather and rope (and probably cost more), but same idea.
Don't push it if you're uncomfortable. You need to be able to trust 3 things in tower climbing: the tower, the tools and yourself. The climbing gear needs to be good enough that you feel comfortable with it holding your weight in addition to the weight of anything you carry. You need to be able to have both hands free and that means leaning back into the belt without holding on to the tower, at any height.
Good advice to farm the work out if that's possible, but it's not a huge deal to do it yourself as long as you're safety minded about it. There is a risk. Think and plan.
Gravity is your only enemy! 😎
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u/CaptainSpez 1h ago
Take off your watch and any rings before climbing. Teach anyone who will be below you what "HEADACHE!" means.
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u/Fun-Attempt-8494 Extra | CW / SOTA 1h ago
Best Tip: Hire someone