Tower-pro is an internet mailing list that was founded on March 21, 1999 by John Hettish and thirty-four members of the Land Mobile Radio (LMR) list. The idea was to create a location on the internet for the discussion of issues that really concern we who make our living by climbing and working on communications towers. The text of that first message appears below. Tower-pro began as Tower-pro@onelist.com, then became Tower-pro@egroups.com and finally Tower-pro @yahoogroups.com. Within that first year, Tower-pro had become the "grapevine" of the tower industry. We often know things before they become official, such as details of accidents or projects that might provide us with opportunities. Tower-pro members are encouraged to create business relationships with other members, keeping in mind that even though members exchange email, that a thorough scrutiny of a company you plan to do business with or you plan to utilize for your project is mandatory for your own protection. The expansion to a web site is the logical next step in the Tower-pro evolution. The web site is intended to provide a valuable resource for the members of Tower-pro@yahoogroups.com. Here we can have product reviews, how to articles, compare member's equipment and techniques and provide information on who is capable of what (member's links). A useful web site depends on the input of its users.

Tower-pro.net will always be under construction as we expand its capabilities based on input from our members. Please forward any ideas, photos, or other web compatable material to me, John Hettish or post it on the list. This could be fun.

I see that several folks have already subscribed to the list. The list will
not be moderated so its up to you to let fly. I have quite a bit to say
about tower issues and in particular safety. I like NATE and am impressed by the way they've come up with proposed (and temporarily accepted)variances which would once again make "Riding the ball" and free-climbing practices acceptable in the eyes of OSHA but am chagrined at the fact that they seem to universally accept the full body harness. The FBH is fine for working horizontal surfaces but what about vertical ones. How does oneself-rescue while suspended a thousand feet up by the shoulder blades.

I have some answers to that but not now. So lets see some discussion.

John Hettish
Middle Tennessee Two-way Inc.
http://www.mt2w.com