G.W.Bush all those little lights
Contract History
A Tribute to John Frey world class friend
Towerman's Market Related References
FAA AC-707460-1K
SBA Contract Assignment 31JUL06
Yesterday was 30 JUL 06 my 49th birthday. Site repair planning was in effect for 3 days, Beloit , KS a 860’ guyed tower with 10) 620 watt & 9) 116 watt incandescent lamps has been scheduled for a repair. The sun was dropping on arrival as I geared up a tool vest, climbing pack, my harness & helmet. The Sun was gone in 40 minutes. Just did not feel like a night climb - the climb headlight batteries are low.
Today 31JUL06 7:30 am PAC I was ready for all but the
horrific wind. Climbing this structure without a fall arrest device was enough
– yet I had 63Knot winds on the surface as per the local Flight .Service
Station. I find some comfort in the knowledge that I have dismissed wind as more
a bother that a risk, but today was different, no fall arrest & extreme wind
with 210 pounds, a full body harness, tool vest, light pack & helmet, was
more like putting up a sail. Today’s bright sunshine was chilled by the roaring
wind. 
The Climbs Start up & gear set went well to 40’ & I made a check signal in my mind – the 20’ section length at each leg junction. The tower top was the goal & I was prepared to complete the task. Gear settled, free climb- check signal 20’ - -- check signal as my heart races & my breath rate increases check signal, change in hand / foot positions in the next section. Check signal -as my heart pounds in my throat with the roaring wind dominating all sounds. check signal 100’ right hand ready with my aluminum hook – thumb pressed, open lock & clip - & then comes the rush, like a twisted rubber band released the run on of my pulse as my chest expands to take in more air,5 liters – maybe 6. Breathing a mentally controlled rate & the hearts run on continues – to subside & the roaring wind neither applauds nor badgers its presence is extreme. I am so glad to have the metal between the structure & the harness.
2nd set of 300mm Beacons achieved – the goal ahead as I pull the climb pack from around my shoulder to clip it onto the steel . such a simple task – remove lamps, check wiring, replace lamps.
Trouble steel, the wind so extreme here year round. Wind damage assessment ; feedline hanger kits loose, 20 lock washers & nuts missing so far. Antennas broken, lines loose always something to do & something to report as the climb continues, Thank God for 3" 3M-88 for the temp fix and my Olympus micro recorder.
I wonder when the last Guy wire Tension & plumb was completed. The towers sways only with my weight passing its not hopping up & down with extreme movements that slow my climb to a crawl & puts that though of a structural failure & massive insurance claim on my .80 EMR ( effective modification rate) as other towers have threatened. There is no such thing as a perminant install without maintenance.
Climbing, I saw the Raven's dark shadow soar along into the wind looking for a catch in the fence row. Adding altitude when appropriate, then cutting the wind with the wing moving across the wind & down –propelling forward in 60 knot winds – so willfully without noted effort hearing the same roaring wind, calculating with an ever sharp set of eyes for his lunch.
Second level side markers welcome rest, retainer clips operational, lense & weather seal checked. These filments were broken over time indicated by the darkness of the globe.
Second level Beacons lamps broken, I'll have to dig them out these were taken out with a lightning strike
the globe is white with blue swirrels - an indicator of a high voltage blow out.
Third level side markers has work i cant complete this climb, the sidemarker body has broken retainer clip pins. I can only do what the last man did & tape the lense retainer down. The conduit 4' nipple is out of the box & it will take a thread cutter , 1" thread diameter increase colar & junction box thread cutter to get this right. -
The wind has to be close to 90 knots my strides are shorter now – I want three sections then rest – I get a miss match its only 40’ & I’ve found a reason to stop to shake my grip & my forearm stress out.
Goal achieved, I find some relative peace. Free climbing just 10 feet down, that I was reviewing how to survive a fall at this height. My breath deep, my heart alive with strength wanting that pulse rush , yet knowing the risk of a run out balanced by 22 years tower climbing preparation for today .
I would be as the Raven, soaring face to earth in this wind My back arched , head up into the winds lifting attributes. Cutting the wind as the Raven, enough to hold the place neither gaining nor loosing the ground beneath. With my thumb pressed to open the hook finding a guy wire in the air. Wrapping a lanyard around as a brake as the milliseconds pass & terminal speed is robbed of my life. Or could I hold my place – this wind is extreme my weight in this vest might find the lift. Finding a simple Parachute landing fall ( PLF ) to be the end of the physical quest for assignment completion. A day dream of chance.
Now the climb down, it’s a rhythmic stepping tower. Not as timely as a metrodome structure of step bolts. Yet that rythym in the sections finds me down a full color band 140’ in a break. On the ground in 7 hops with only my hand grip & arms sore from the driving wind. – finding that rhythm is a goal at first - & it comes easy this time on this tower. It’s a weightless motion of the leg & torso with an upper body guide. & the limit of the heart & lungs --- build up ----- Heart beating stronger & stronger feeling it in my neck, Lungs forced to breath in with each step down. & the ache of muscle strain in my forearms & shoulders – sometimes it my hands that give me the indicator to stop & let my heart spin out its build up.
As the ground becomes larger its the controller tests that must be confirmed by the NOC OPS
On the ground - the Lords Prayer with "overhead costs" instead of daily bread sings in my head.
Its the controller to test: HP / Honeywell 9L series 
Flasher out – replace test mode indicated on the left –series wiring for the monitor checked - all clear green lights for the 5amp / 620 watt beacon bulbs, all but on side marker programming switch reset for 3 not 4 .9 amp draw side marker lamps.
Opto Monitor Check NOC called for notam clearance
9:45AM PAC 
Time for the “ green arrow of delorme on my computer screen to show me the way to the next two sites for today.
15 yrs ago I was enjoying the ability to climb 1000' in 30 minutes with full gear & replacement parts that included a 35# power transformer. Those climbs make great memories.
Proud Father of two sons 1) 4yrs old "Justice" & 1) 4 month old "Hadley"
I climbed 783 towers last year, wrote an invoice report for each completed & NOC recognized / cleared repair.