HACKER Q&A
📣 sigmaprimus

Engineering problem – How can a fat Dad climb a tree?


I'm 47 and pushing the maximum capacity of a little giant ladder. I would like to install a LTE modem in a tree in order to facilitate a stable connection to a rural home. The home owner is in his 70s and has been a kind supportive friend. There is not the option of hiring a young person but fortunately money is not an issue (within reason). What would be the safest way for a heavy older person to climb and then top a tree, to strap an antenna attached to a pole on the trimmed top of the tree? The tree in question is a fir tree and we are looking at 75' to where the tree will be topped.

I am thinking a platform with a pulley or ratchet strapped ladder might work. Thanks.

  👤 lumpa Accepted Answer ✓
How experienced are you in topping trees and installing antennas?

IMO the safest way for a heavy older person to climb and then top a tree is to have the right safety equipment, years of experience doing this kind of thing and some other experienced person to help.

Other than that, if you're willing to risk life and limb, at least hire an expert to assess your materials and proposition.

Oh, and if you really end doing this, try topping and attaching an antenna to a... say 8' tree first. That way you can learn the basics from simple maiming, instead of more severe outcomes.

👤 pestatije
Been giving this a thought while sleeping. Instead of the whole tree thing, I'd go for a high pole buried in a hole, with the modem installed beforehand obviously.
👤 HarryHirsch
Tree-topping? August Hunicke has a hilarious gallery of fails: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSSqc6uBFz_yx-LBrjyRrvw

(Also, questions about lightning safety and electrical grounding.)

👤 pestatije
Scissor or articulated boom lifts. From $90 / 4 hour hire, and up very quickly.

Edit: sorry, is that 75 "feet"? If so, no can do with a lift, they top up at 60 feet (20 meters).

👤 totalZero
75 feet?! Sounds very risky. I would hire an arborist.

All my other ideas are pretty unworkable....drone....tethered weather balloon...

What about ViaSat? Why does it need to be LTE?