Wednesday is a day to appreciate the folks who work on your tower.

NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association has declared May 5 to be Tower Technician Appreciation Day “to pay tribute to the important work that communications infrastructure technicians conduct on a daily basis to enable a connected world.”

The proclamation highlights tower technicians for their skill sets, big responsibilities and demanding work environments.

Read the full proclamation.

In the tower biz, a lot of attention is paid to work supporting 5G, broadband infrastructure and emergency alerting. But of course tower techs serve broadcasters as well.

Gordon Smith, the president/CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, joined in the appreciation.

“NAB salutes America’s tower technicians whose work is critical to the operation of broadcast radio and television stations. The particular skill set required, including working under dangerous conditions, is vitally important in preserving broadcasting’s uniquely local and resilient platform on which consumers and communities rely,” he said in a statement released by NATE.

The social media hashtag to use is #TowerTechAppreciationDay.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association has reached a new record number of member companies. With the addition of Summit Cellular, NATE now has 1,020 members.

NATE member companies consist of tower construction firms, general contractors, tower owners, wireless carriers, engineering firms, technology companies, public safety entities, non-profit organizations, licensed design professionals, manufacturers, distributors and training companies.

“NATE’s member companies encompass all layers of the diverse communications infrastructure ecosystem and this new membership milestone is a testament to the Association’s ability to diversify and evolve alongside the industry,” stated Member Services Chairwoman Jordyn Ladner from MILLERCO. “I am proud of the fact that NATE’s membership continues to grow in the face of a global pandemic and that point serves to demonstrate the essential contributions that the Association’s member companies play to enable connectivity in the United States and throughout the world.”

For more information, visit www.natehome.com.  

EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The 2021 recipient of the Ernie Jones Memorial Civil Engineering Scholarship has been revealed by NATE and the Tower Family Foundation, with University of Evansville junior civil engineering student Alex Dodson this year's selection.

The Ernie Jones Memorial Civil Engineering Scholarship awards a $2,500 NATE-funded scholarship annually to a junior of senior level civil engineering student at the University of Evansville’s College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Dodson is among the top of her class academically and excels in her major courses related to construction and UE’s structural analysis and steel design sequences, per NATE’s announcement. After graduation, Dodson hopes to work in the construction industry for a Indiana-based firm.

“Alex is a dedicated student who demonstrates a work ethic on projects that is unmatched by her peers. In my memory, she has never missed a deadline for projects or homework,” said Dr. Jim Allen, associate professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Evansville. “Alex is always one of the first to seek additional project information (RFI) weeks in advance, whether it is in a group or individual setting. Her design and analysis techniques are thorough and complete, giving great attention to details in safety and constructability. The UE faculty thinks this diligence and continuous pursuit for safer and 'more-buildable' structures in her designs embodies the spirit of Ernie Jones as the recipient of his named memorial scholarship.”

Ernie Jones was a structural engineer that worked in the broadcast tower industry for 30 years. He died in 2015 in a tower accident.

For more information, visit www.natehome.com.  

WASHINGTON—NATE welcomed the introduction of the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act in the Senate earlier this week, believing that it could be a “springboard” for developing future telecom technicians.

The Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act was introduced in the Senate on Feb. 2 by Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), all of which are on the Senate Committee of Commerce, Science and Transportation. A previous version of the bill was crafted last year, but did not make it out of committee.

The bill would have the federal government and states create an interagency working group and require a GAO assessment of the workforce needs estimated to deploy broadband infrastructure to rural areas and support the installation of 5G wireless technology.

Recently, 11 industry organizations sent a joint letter to the White House and Congress urging support for broadband-related job skills development as part of any infrastructure legislation. NATE believes that this new bill is acknowledgment of the need to address telecom workforce issues.

“[I]t is great to see this bi-partisan group of U.S. Senators come out of the gate strong in the 117th Congress through the introduction of this legislation,” said Todd Schlekewy, president and CEO of NATE. “NATE believes that the provisions outlined in the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act can serve as a springboard to fostering greater collaboration between the federal government, state workforce boards, higher education and industry to accomplish the ultimate goal of developing a future pipeline of skilled technicians that the country sorely needs to meet its ambitious broadband and 5G deployment objectives.”

More information on the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act is available online. 

WASHINGTON—Eliminating injuries and fatalities in tower work is the aim of a new partnership of OSHA, NATE and the FCC.

 “The goal of the three-year partnership is to eliminate worker injuries and fatalities while performing wireless and telecommunications, tower erection and maintenance operations,” they said in an announcement.

“The partnership will address some of the industry’s frequently encountered hazards, including falls from height, electric, falling objects, tower collapses and inclement weather.”

The agreement was signed in an online ceremony involving officials of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association and the Federal Communications Commission.

They included Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor Loren Sweatt, NATE Chairman Jimmy Miller and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.

Sweatt said demand for wireless communications and broadcast services has increased the need for construction, service and maintenance of towers around the country.

The effort is being done under OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program.

This story originally appeared on TVT's sister publication Radio World.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—NATE Unite 2021 has been cancelled, another industry event impacted by continuing COVID-19 pandemic. NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association was planning to host its annual conference in Memphis in February.

Based on recent trends of how COVID-19 is spreading, and in discussions with the state of Tennessee, the city of Memphis and Shelby County Health Department, the NATE Board of Directors and staff came to the conclusion that a cancellation of the in-person event was the best decision for all involved.

“On behalf of the association, we want to emphasize that despite our disappointment at how NATE UNITE 2021 has been impacted by the global public health concerns caused by COVID-19, we are more excited than ever about the future of NATE as an organization, of our annual conference and our relationship with you,” NATE said in its announcement.

The announcement did not include any information on a virtual conference to replace Unite 2021, as many other conferences—most recently SMPTE 2020—have done. Instead, NATE points to Unite 2022, which is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas from Feb. 21-24, 2022.

Sponsors and exhibitors can have their funds transferred for the Unite 2022 conference, or if they prefer they can receive a 100% refund as long as they contact NATE by Dec. 21. All registered attendees or optional course registrants will receive an automatic 100% refund.

For more information, visit www.natehome.com. 

WATERTOWN, S.D.—NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, has sent out an advisory bulletin to its members regarding the 5G Global Protest Day that is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 6.

Here is the statement from NATE:

“NATE as an organization has heard through official channels that there are 5G Global Protest Day activities being planned throughout the country this Saturday, June 6, 2020. NATE member companies set themselves apart by embodying the characteristics of work ethic, professionalism, safety and quality on a daily basis. NATE reminds our member companies and their employees to remain safe, exercise vigilance and report any unusual or suspicious activities that they witness when traveling to and working at tower sites this weekend.

“NATE member contractor companies and their skilled technicians are on the front lines playing a major role deploying the communications tower infrastructure, equipment and technology essential to enable high-speed, 5G mobile service in the United States and throughout North America. NATE is excited about contributing to a 5G economy that will positively transform communities, enterprises and the citizens who live there. Together, NATE members will continue to make a difference.”

Those protesting against 5G believe that the developing technology will produce a number of negatives ranging from environmental issues, health, privacy, property values and on schools, according to Citizens for 5G Awareness.

Citizens for 5G Awareness laid out a schedule of initiatives for its supporters to take part in what has been labeled global action week, culminating in an organized protest in Huntington, N.Y. There are Facebook groups as well that promote organized protests across the globe, including some in the U.S.

There have been instances this year of towers being vandalized or damaged because of anti-5G individuals, though most seem to have taken place abroad. 

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The National Association of Tower Erectors have announced that on Monday, March 25, the organization’s co-founder Bill Carlson died at this home.

Carlson enjoyed a five decade career in the wireless infrastructure industry, including owning and operating Tower Systems Inc. as its president and CEO since 1975. In 1995, he helped bring together 60 independent tower contractors to establish NATE with the mission of providing uniform safety standards, education, communications and serving as the unified voice for the wireless and broadcast infrastructure industries. Today, NATE has more than 870 member companies.

In 2014, Carlson was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame by the Wireless History Foundation and was the initial recipient of the NATE Lifetime Service Award. The NATE award has subsequently been named the Bill Carlson Lifetime Service Award.

Colleagues of Carlson described him upon his passing as an iconic figure and Renaissance man for the wireless industry.

Carlson is survived by his wife Ruth Lorraine Carlson, daughters Kari Carlson and Kelli Anderson, son-in-law Eric Anderson and granddaughters DeLaney and Avreigh.

GRAPEVINE, Texas—FCC Chairman Pai gave a progress report about the channel repack, touting “great progress” since work began in April 2017. He added that the transition—which involves channel and/or location changes for approximately 1,000 full-power and Class A television broadcasters and about 2,000 low-power and translator television stations—is “ahead of schedule.”

In remarks to the annual meeting of the National Association of Tower Erectors today, the chairman noted the abbreviated timetable for finishing the transition by July 2020 and the resulting pressure on tower companies.

“The limited availability of tower crews capable of doing this work was a big factor in our transition planning from the start,” he said. “We designed a phased transition schedule that allows both tower companies and equipment manufacturers to prioritize stations in early phases and to strategically allocate resources. We built in flexibility to make adjustments so that safety is never compromised.”

At the conclusion of Phase 1, which ended Nov. 30, 2018, 143 repacked stations had already moved off their pre-auction channels, approximately 53 more stations than the FCC had planned to be repacked by the end of Phase 1, according to Pai. More than 20 of the approximately 115 stations assigned to Phase 2, which ends April 12, 2019 have been moved to their new channel.

Pai said that a total of $2.75 billion (including an additional $1 billion authorized by Congress last year) is available to reimburse broadcasters for repack costs, with more than $350 million already approved for reimbursements.

The FCC chairman acknowledged the concerns tower companies have had about availability, weather and deadlines, especially in a period when wireless companies are moving forward with 5G deployments. He encouraged the companies to be proactive.

“Coordination with stations and equipment manufacturers will be key,” Pai said. “Working together, I’m optimistic that we can be as successful as we were in Phase 1 and stay on track to complete this work for full-power and Class A stations by July 2020."

Pai added that tower crews are also helping the recipients of the 600MHz spectrum sold off by broadcasters two years ago deploy new services, citing T-Mobile’s recent progress in this area.

“NATE members are also deploying infrastructure so that wireless carriers can put the licenses awarded to incentive auction winners to use,” he said. “This deployment is now a reality in many places and is underway in many others. For example, one carrier has already lit up service using 600 MHz spectrum in more than 1,500 cities and 37 states, including Puerto Rico. For many of your members, this is intense, ongoing work. For American consumers, this means new competition and opportunities to benefit from 5G.”

For all the latest news and insight on the repack, visit our repack silo.

The National Association of Tower Erectors has announced the results of a board of directors election.

Randy Scott, president of Texoma Contracting, Muskogee, Okla., was reelected while Victor Drouin, president of Green Mountain Communications, Pembroke, N.H., Chris Mallon, president of TowerMRL, Cottage Grove, Wis., and Michael Young, chief operating officer, Sioux Falls Tower & Communications, Sioux Falls, S.D., will be added to the board.

Departing the board will be Jim Tracy, chief executive officer, Legacy Telecommunications, Burley, Wash., and Jim Miller, president and chief executive officer of EasTex Tower, Colorado Springs, Colo.

NATE Executive Director Todd Schlekeway said, “I would like to congratulate Randy, Victor, Chris and Michael on their successful election and for their willingness to serve on the NATE Board of Directors. 2019 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for NATE and the industry as 5G deployment continues to scale.”

Terms will begin with the upcoming annual NATE Unite conference in Grapevine, Texas, Feb. 3.

Drones are here to stay. And that’s exciting news for the head of the National Association of Tower Erectors, who sees a bright future in terms of new applications and refined safety regulations surrounding the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Radio World spoke with Todd Schlekeway, executive director of NATE, about the organization’s connection to the Commercial Drone Alliance, his takeaway on the provisions in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and how drones are being put to use as broadcasters deal with tall tower work due to the repack.

Radio World:What is your organization’s take on the usage of drones in the broadcast tower space?

Todd Schlekeway: NATE has been an enthusiastic supporter of expanding commercial UASes for some time. We joined the Commercial Drone Alliance [an organization committed to growing the commercial drone industry] about a year and a half ago. It’s clear that our industry could be benefactors [of legislation surrounding drones] over the long term.

Radio World:What specifically were you pleased to see implemented specific in the recent FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018?

Schlekeway: The key areas we were interested in [seeing implanting] were more flexibility with the waiver process, remote identification, and changes to tower marking.

One of the highlights is that [the act] expands and makes the waiver process streamlined and easier to use. Previously, unless you are an organization or company with a waiver to fly at night, beyond visual line-of-sight or over people, you had to file [a waiver] and that process took a long time. This FAA Reauthorization Act will set in motion a streamlined approach [to getting waivers approved].

From the commercial UAS perspective, we were very happy to see [the removal] of a clause from the previous authorization that essentially exempted hobbyist users from any remote identification. So this act is going to set forth a [procedure by which] all users are going to have to have remote ID.

This is significant because any time there is a registered drone, there will be accountability. Accountability breeds safety. That’s significant. The hobbyist community is very passionate about drones.

There’s also a provision impacting the previous tower marking mandate that was part of a short-term extension in 2016 [that] mandated that all towers between 50 feet and 199 feet be marked. Of course those towers over 200 feet are already lit and marked.

We fought hard against that; we don’t have the work force to retroactively [mark those towers]. It was one of those things that went too far by sweeping in communication towers. The 2018 act walked that mandate back. Now, those towers just need to be entered into a database.

Radio World:What kinds of reports are you getting from tower companies about how broadcasters are using drones?

Schlekeway: I reached out to two prominent broadcast contractors that are heavily involved with the repack and both had said they were using drones extensively with their tall tower work — specifically related to the repack. It’s just a different animal from a technical and engineering point of view. Technicians need to have a different skill set. This is a really specialized skill that not every company is capability of doing.

Some of the use cases [these contractors] were using UASes for were for complex construction such as rigging candelabras. Or using them to monitor their equipment with video and photo footage to look at structural analysis. Drones are useful to determine a lot of rigging obstructions, going to spots technicians can’t get to. There’s no question [drones] are playing a role.

Radio World: What else should radio and TV facility managers know?

Schlekeway: The broadcast industry needs to stay attuned to the evolving regulatory landscape. It’s about to get more flexible but you have stay up to date on the regulatory side of the house.

Use of these drones is going to continue to increase year over year. But there’s now a higher level of training needed. At a recent UAS summit, reps from several industries said “if we’re going to go allow your contractor on our site, your guy better be trained higher than just the baseline.” There’s a need for graduated training requirements.

Radio World: What are your thoughts on the future role that drones will play in our industry?

Schlekeway: We are “all in” on what they can do for the broadcast side and for cellular sites. But they not a replacement for the workplace. [They are] a powerful supplemental tool for the team to work safely and more efficiently and to streamline their work process.

Drones are here to stay. As use cases continue to evolve, stay attuned to the regulatory landscape.

Radio World: It’s a time of immense change for the industry.

Schlekeway: It’s exciting to see. I envision the day when every contractor company has a drone as a part of their operation, as a part of their toolkit. We’re not too far from that reality.

Editor’s note: In May, I wrote an editorial about the recent Missouri TV tower collapse, with the headline “The Most Dangerous Job in America.” TV Technology reader Mike Pappas of Parker, Colo. disagreed with my assertion with the following response:

Tower climbing isn’t “the most dangerous occupation in the U.S.” It’s not even close. Over the last six years major strides in tower climbing safety training and improved best practices by the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) have substantially reduced the number of accidents and deaths. The biggest change has been the adoption of 100 percent tie-off at all times.

On the 2016 BLS listing of civilian occupations with high fatal work injury rates, tower climbing doesn’t even make the list.

My 21-year-old son Miles is a newly NATE-certified tower climber. He is working with an experienced crew that has a spotless safety record on a 1,000-foot TV tower as part of the repack. I can tell you as a parent I am confident that the company and crew he is working with are adhering to all OSHA and NATE requirements and best practices. I know he is safe and will be starting his junior year at The Citadel in August where he is working on his Mechanical Engineering degree.

Tower work isn’t the most dangerous occupation it’s not even close.

DENVER — Dr. Byron St. Clair, president emeritus of the National Translator Association, died May 20 in Denver of brain cancer. He was 93.

St. Clair, who served as president of the National Translator Association for 19 years, is known as the "father of translators, LPTV and low-power FM," the association said.

He worked to serve those living in the mountainous rural western United States with broadcast service and in so doing created a new class of over-the-air broadcasting, which has grown to more than 4,000 stations that serve millions of people.

“Byron was a friend and mentor to all, a man of immense intellect, wisdom, ethics, kindness and vision,” said NTA President John Terrill.

During his career, St. Clair was director of R&D for Adler Electronics and founded and served as president of EMCEE, a manufacturer and installer of TV translators. In 1967, he founded and was president of Television Technology Corp. in Arvada, Colo., which later became Larcan-TTC.

St. Clair obtained a BSEE in 1945 and a master’s degree in physics in 1949 from Columbia University. He earned a Ph.D in physics in 1953 from Syracuse University.

He was a member of the National High Definition Television Subcommittees, Systems Subcommittee Working Party to Field Test Task Force, a board member of the Advanced Television Broadcast Alliance, a member and active participant in the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers (AFCCE). St. Clair also was a member of the board of directors for Denver public broadcaster KBDI-TV.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering recognized St. Clair in 2017 with its Jules Cohen award for lifetime achievement.

AFCCE President John Lyons said, “I had the pleasure to sit and speak with with Byron over the last several years discussing his time in New York while attending Columbia for his BS and MA in Physics. He reminisced about living on the waterfront and his enjoyment of education. We will all stand to toast Byron at our Annual Meeting next month in Seattle."

The NTA is establishing The Byron W. St. Clair Memorial Scholarship Fund in partnership with the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers for promising undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in a career in broadcast engineering at accredited U.S. universities and colleges.

St. Clair is survived by his wife of 71 years, Julie, and daughter Susan Hansen of Arvada, Colo. A memorial service will be held in June. Details were not immediately available.

The National Association of Tower Erectors has designated Wednesday, May 9, as the second-annual Tower Technician Appreciation Day.

The event coincides with OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down Week, and NATE encourages member companies and stakeholders to use this day to host events to pay tribute to the technicians they employ.

“NATE is ecstatic to declare Wednesday, May 9, 2018, as a day to honor our industry’s most precious resource, the tower technician workforce,” said NATE Chairman Jim Tracy of Burley, Wash. “Today’s skilled technicians are expected to possess the diverse skill set necessary to safely deploy and expand universal broadband, public safety communications and ubiquitous 5G coverage across North America, while repacking the broadcast spectrum. NATE is proud to highlight and salute these dedicated technicians who work tirelessly to meet both our present and future communications needs.”

[Read: Confessions Of A Tall-Tower Worker]

U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chair John Thune (R-SD) said, “They don’t have an easy job, but thanks to their dedication and unique skill set, the United States is continuing to expand its wireless broadband footprint, and we’re in a much stronger position in the race toward 5G.”

The tower industry is applauding language in a measure that passed the House late last week that clarifies a tower marking issue that emerged over a year ago.

The passage of H.R. 4, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, in the U.S. House of Representatives included language offered by Representative David Rouzer (R-NC) that provided an important clarification to the 2016 FAA reauthorization related to the marking of certain telecommunications towers.

Specifically, the language clarifies that covered towers “shall be marked or entered into a de-identified database.” In a nutshell, the language clarifies that certain towers between 50 and 200 feet tall will not have to be marked if they are registered in an FAA location database.

[Watch: Working On A 1500-Foot TV Tower]

That amends the FAA’s Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016, which if implemented could have forced expensive retrofits to potentially 50,000 existing towers, according to a release from the FCC. Other observers said it also would raise tower prices for the next generation of wireless services, but with little gain to air safety.

An industry-wide coalition of partner organizations, including the National Association of Broadcasters, lobbied for the revision, which will take effect not later than one year after the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.

“Absent changes made by this language in H.R. 4, our industry would have faced a tower marking mandate at a time when we are already experiencing a workforce shortage. This scenario would have had a significant economic impact on our industry and would have strained an already busy workforce with additional tower climbs required to mark towers,” said Todd Schlekeway, executive director of National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE).

Schlekeway said towers that are most dangerous – those that are temporary and difficult for pilots to see, such as Meteorological Evaluation Towers – would still require both marking and registration in the location database.

In addition to NATE and NAB, the Wireless Infrastructure Association, Competitive Carriers Association and CTIA were all on board with the wording change to the FAA’s tower rules.

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 4) now goes to the Senate.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The National Association of Tower Erectors has released the results of its 2018 board of directors election.

Kevin Dougherty

The association says Kevin Dougherty, president of Millennia Contracting in New Castle, Del.; John Paul Jones, president of Tower & Turbine Technologies in Austin, Texas; Bryan Lee, president of Lee Antenna & Line Service in Hellertown, Pa.; and Jimmy Miller, president of MillerCo. in Gulfport, Miss., were reelected and will retain their seats on the NATE board.

Additionally, NATE announces Shama Ray, owner and CEO of Above All Tower Climbing in Bonne Terre, Mo., was also elected to serve as a new member of the board.

They will begin their two-year terms on Feb.17 at the NATE Unite 2018 Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

The association also acknowledged retiring two-term board member Don Train, president of Train’s Towers in Haddon Heights, N.J., who will also be recognized at the 2018 conference.

The National Association of Tower Erectors is a nonprofit trade association in the wireless infrastructure industry that says it provides a unified voice for tower erection, service and maintenance companies. 

This story originally appeared on TVT's sister publication Radio World. 

SEATTLE—Oh the weather outside is frightful, or at least it could be this winter, and that will make getting to remote tower sites even more difficult. To help educate tower operators on some of the safety needs for accessing remote tower locations—including operating snow tracked vehicles—NATE has released a new video for Volume 2 of its Climber Connection series.

The video provides a detailed overview on the planning practices, safety protocols and operational procedures associated with using snow tracked vehicles in difficult terrain environments and during inclement weather situations. There are also conversations between vehicle operators and tower technicians about the hazards of using snowcat vehicles to access tower sites.

Watch the new Climber Connection video below, or click here. You can also share the video on social media with the hashtag #ClimberConnection.

BLOOMINGTON, MINN.—The National Association of Tower Erectors held the premiere for its latest #ClimberConnection video at the NATE Wireless Industry Network Great Plains Regional Conference in Bloomington, Minn. The video, which focuses on Distributed Antenna Systems, featured a familiar site to Minnesota natives, the Minnesota Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium.

The new video highlights the growth of DAS and the role the technology plays in densifying networks to ensure coverage and connectivity in populated venues and facilities, like airports, hospitals, convention centers or stadiums. It also provides an overview on how the technology and components of DAS network interface together to provide coverage.

NATE put a special focus on the DAS technology at U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Vikings and location for Super Bowl LII.

Watch the full video from NATE below.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—
The National Association of Tower Erectors’ board of directors has elected board member Kevin Dougherty to serve as the new secretary and treasurer for the association’s executive committee.

Dougherty is CEO of Millennia Contracting in New Castle, Del., and has been a member of the NATE board for two years and has fulfilled a variety of other leadership roles during his tenure with NATE, including service on the OSHA Relations Committee and STAR Initiative Ad-Hoc Committee.“Kevin will provide the steady leadership and vision to ensure that NATE continues on an aggressive growth trajectory and accomplishes our ambitious agenda,” said NATE Chairman Jim Tracy, who is also CEO of Legacy Telecommunications of Burley, Wash. “I would also like to provide a tip of the cap to departing NATE Executive Committee Board member Ben Little. Ben served with distinction at both NATE and the Tower Family Foundation for many years and we salute his leadership.”NATE is a nonprofit trade association in the wireless infrastructure industry providing a unified voice for tower erection, service and maintenance companies.This story originally appeared on TVT's sister publication Radio World. 

The vote was held at the organization’s 2017 Summer Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The National Association of Tower Erectors has reached an all-time high in member companies, announcing its membership now totals 828, eclipsing the previous mark of 827.

NATE member companies are made up of tower construction firms, general contractors, tower owners, wireless carriers, engineering firms, technology companies, public safety entities, manufacturers, distributors and training companies.

One of the reasons that NATE’s membership is reaching these new heights, according to Member Services Coordinator Rebekah Hauber, is its enhanced membership benefits. “Through specific outreach initiatives with the Wireless Industry Network program and Member Services Committee, NATE looks forward to continuing to engage prospective member companies over the next several months in order to educate them on the value of joining the Association,” Hauber said.

For more information, visit natehome.com/membership.

FARGO, N.D.—The latest topic the National Association of Tower Erectors are tackling with their “Climber Connection” series of safety videos covers unmanned aerial systems, a.k.a drones.

The NATE UAS operations video highlights the role drones have in the communications tower industry as well as provides a detailed overview on the best practices associated with conducting drone operations at a tower site. Additional topics covered in the video include the current regulatory environment governing commercial drone operations and industry resources available to UAS operators for safe flying.

NATE debuted the its UAS operations video during its main stage presentation at the 2017 Drone Focus Conference. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum were among those in attendance.

Watch the video below or visit NATE’s YouTube page.

ORLANDO, FLA.—FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly recently spoke at the 2017 Wireless Infrastructure Show and one area in particular drew the praise of the National Association of Tower Erectors.

O’Rielly devoted some of his time to tower marking; he described the FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016 as “two steps backward.” NATE subsequently praised the commissioner’s “common sense approach.”

As we've reported, the FAA’s legislation outlined tower obstruction marking provisions for the communications tower industry, mandating improved physical markings and/or lighting on towers ranging from 50 to 200-feet tall. Some of the reasoning behind the provision involved the potential dangers for crop dusters running into towers.

“Carrying out the burden as written will be an extremely expensive undertaking due to the cost of the specialized labor that climb these towers,” O’Rielly told the conference. “It is without question that there have been accidents involving crop dusters. But, it doesn’t appear that communications towers are to blame one iota. According to requisite data, there is a good chance that, had the new provision of law been in effect, it would not have saved any pilot lives or prevented any crashes or incidents.”

Wrote Todd Schlekeway, NATE executive director, in the organization's press release: “Commissioner O’Rielly articulated the impracticalities and unintended consequences of the onerous tower marking provisions the industry is dealing with in the aftermath of the FAA legislation that was passed late last year. NATE thanks Commissioner O’Rielly for utilizing his platform to not only call attention to this issue but also offer common sense improvements that can be made to these requirements.”

NATE said it is working with a coalition of national wireless and broadcast industry organizations to seek practical improvements to section 2110 of the act.

For O’Rielly’s complete comments, click here.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—NATE has offered what it hopes will be a helpful tool determining the safety of guy anchors on towers with its “Anchor Inspection/Safe to Climb Protocol” document.

The new document is presented as a flow chart that can be used as a reference to aid owners and managers in making judgement calls on whether or not a tower is safe to climb without foreknowledge on the condition of the underground anchors.

An example of the document is given on the left, but to see the full-sized image, click here.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The National Association of Tower Erectors keep churning out safety videos, recently releasing the third entry of its “Climber Connection” series volume 2, “Riding the Line.”

The new video provides an overview on the best practices for personnel hoisting at a communications tower site. It highlights industry resources available to tower crews and hoist operators to ensure hoisting activities are performed safely. There is also aerial footage of tower technicians riding their line to a designated work section of the tower.

The “Riding the Line” video is available to watch here.

WASHINGTON—Last week, a delegation from the National Association of Tower Erectors visited Washington for legislative and regulatory meetings. The group consisted of Chairman Jim Tracy, Board of Directors member John Paul Jones, Executive Director Todd Schlekeway and Policy Director Jim Goldwater.

On Capitol Hill, the delegation visited with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas); the staff of Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.); Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.); Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.); the staff of Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.); the staff of Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.); the staff of Rep. John Carter (R-Texas); and the staff of Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), according to a summary of the visit from NATE, which is a nonprofit trade association in the wireless infrastructure industry.

The group also met with officials from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Labor’s OSHA and the staff of Chairman Ajit Pai at the Federal Communications Commission.

And they spoke with representatives of CTIA – The Wireless Association, the National Association of Broadcasters, the Telecommunications Industry Association, the Wireless Infrastructure Association and the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.

NATE said the meetings provided an opportunity to discuss the association’s 2017 legislative and regulatory priorities, and coincided with “Infrastructure Month” as designated by Chairman Pai.

The organization said it highlighted the role its member companies will play in the deployment of the FirstNet Public Safety Broadband Network, the post-incentive auction broadcast “repack” work and the buildout of 5G networks and related technologies.

Additionally, it emphasized its role in integrating unmanned aerial systems into the communications tower industry; efforts to seek changes to the tower marking provisions in Section 2110 of the FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016; and its efforts to streamline small cell deployment in the country. NATE also addressed workforce safety and talked about resources it makes available to ensure safe and quality work.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The National Association of Tower Erectors is sharing the news that the American Nation Standards Institute/the American Society of Safety Engineers (ANSI/ASSE) has published two new safety standards for fall protection. The two Z359 standards are meant to cover components of an organization’s managed fall protection program.

The first standard is ANSI/ASSE Z359.2 2017 Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program. This standard establishes criteria and requirements for employers’ fall protection program including policies, duties and responsibilities, training, survey and identification of fall hazards, fall protection procedures, eliminating or controlling fall hazards, rescue procedures, program implementation, incident investigation and evaluating program effectiveness.

The ANSI/ASSE Z359.3 2017 Safety Requirements for Lanyards and Positioning Lanyards standard meanwhile establishes requirements for performance, design, marking, qualification and verification testing and instructions for lanyards and positioning lanyards for users within the capacity range of 130 to 310 pounds.

For more information, or to purchase the full standard write-ups, follow these links for the Z359.2 and Z359.3.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—NATE UNITE 2017 was a record-setting affair, as the annual conference saw more attendees and exhibitors than ever before, per the National Association of Tower Erectors.

The 2017 event had 1,801 individual registered attendees, topping the 2016 event and previous record holder of 1,614. In addition, the 153 participating exhibitors surpassed the previous mark of 137 for a NATE event.

NATE UNITE 2018 in Nashville, Tenn., is already in the planning stages, according to NATE’s executive director Todd Schlekeway.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—The trio of Jim Tracy, Jim Miller and Ben Little—members of NATE’s Board of Directors—have been elected to serve on the association’s Executive Committee for the next year. The announcement was made at NATE UNITE 2017 Conference and Exposition.

Jim Tracy

Tracy, CEO of Legacy Telecommunications, and Miller, president and CEO of EasTex Tower, were both re-elected to their positions of chairman and vice chairman on the committee, respectively. Little, CEO of Centerline Solutions, was elected to serve as the secretary/treasurer.

During the conference, NATE also recognized Kari Carlson, vice president of Tower Systems, as she is departing as a member of the Board; she was on the Board since 2008.

WASHINGTON—The closing bell rang for the FCC’s forward spectrum incentive auction last Friday, Feb. 10, with bidding concluding at $19.6 billion. As a result, the National Association of Tower Erectors has issued a statement to the Commission.

“The closing of the bidding phase of the incentive auction is a tangible step in this process and the participants should be congratulated,” said Todd Schlekeway, NATE executive director. “The real transition related work has not yet started, however, and it is paramount that the wireless carriers and broadcasters involved hire only qualified contractors that are experienced and equipped to conduct the re-packing work in a safe and quality manner.

Schlekeway goes on to remind the Commission and broadcasters that NATE has safety resources available to them to ensure that the requirements for future work on broadcast and cellular towers are met.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—Everybody loves a sequel, and the National Association of Tower Erectors has come out with its for the “NATE Unmanned Aerial Systems Operations Around Vertical Communications Infrastructure” resource document.

The newly released second edition of NATE’s resource comes from a collaboration between the NATE Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Committee and other commercial UAS industry representatives. The document focuses on the appropriate operations around wireless infrastructure, cellular towers, broadcast towers and utility structures. Updates from the new guidelines and provisions associated with the FAA’s Rule 107 for commercial use of UAS technology has also been added to the second edition. NATE is offering the second edition as a free download on its website.

In addition, NATE has also announced the appointment of three new members to its UAS Committee. Art Pregler from AT&T, Christopher Desmond of Verizon Wireless and Robert McCoy from Crown Castle are now official members of the committee. They will join the other members in monitoring the trends and regulatory environment for UAS and making appropriate recommendations to NATE on best practices.

This, from the comms tower folks in WATERTOWN, S.D.—The National Association of Tower Erectors released a safety video highlighting the new ANSI/ASSE A10.48 standard. The video is the first to debut as part of Vol. 2 of the NATE Climber Connection series.

The A10.48 standard, “Criteria for Safety Practices with the Construction, Demolition, Modification and Maintenance of Communications Structures,” is described as the first comprehensive standard encompassing the entire tower construction, service and maintenance industry.

The Climber Connection Vol. 2 video includes an overview of the A10.48 standard and includes practical information on gin poles and rigging class guidelines for the industry to follow in accordance with the standard. The video also includes epic aerial views and footage of hard working tower crews in action at a communications tower site.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—A new face will be joining three familiar ones on the National Association of Tower Erectors’ Board of Directors, as revealed by the results of the organization’s 2017 election. Randel Scott, president of Texoma Contracting is the newest elected member of the board, where he will join Jim Tracy, CEO of Legacy Telecommunications; Jim Miller, president of EasTex Tower; and Ben Little, CEO of Centerline Solutions, all of who were re-elected.

Randel Scott

All four members of the board were elected by industry peers. The quartet will officially begin their two-year terms on Feb. 26, 2017 at the NATE UNITE 2017 Conference, which will take place in Fort Worth, Texas.

“The recently elected NATE Board of Directors will preside over an era of unprecedented advances in wireless infrastructure and technologies and will provide innovative, proactive leadership in order to maintain the Association’s role as the global leader in safety, standards and education as the industry moves toward the deployment of 5G networks,” said Todd Schlekeway, NATE’s executive director.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The National Association of Tower Erectors has published a video showing how tower anchors corrode and ways to protect them.

“Anchor corrosion is an out-of-sight, out-of-mind issue that plagues towers all across the country. Over time, and in the right condition, anchors can corrode and can ultimately lead to a tower collapse,” the beginning of the video informs us.

Several techniques to protect an anchor are talked about, those include choosing an optimal soil condition, using epoxy coatings on anchors or encasing an anchor in concrete, to name a few. How to rate the severity of an anchor site is also explored.

This story originally appeared on TVT's sister publication Radio Magazine.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The National Association of Tower Erectors has launched a program with the goal of promoting NATE’s regional, state and local efforts, the Wireless Industry Network (WIN) program. WIN is also meant to support existing state and national wireless organizations and facilitate communication between stakeholders in the wireless industry.

WIN is made up of regional ambassadors and state liaisons that support NATE’s mission and want to expand its message of safety, quality, standards and education. The areas of coverage for the U.S. are broken up into eight regions: Pacific, Southwest, Rocky Mountain, Great Plains, Great Lakes, Northeast, Atlantic Coast and Southeast; there is also a grassroots structure in Canada and a presence in the Bahamas.

WIN also offers a Speakers Bureau of experienced industry executives who are available to deliver keynote addresses, speeches and educational sessions at events.

Heading up WIN will be Scott Krouse, who will have the official title of WIN director. Krouse has 30 years of experience in the industry, eight years of which included serving on NATE’s Trade Show Committee.

NATE has created the WIN Interactive Map to provide information about ambassadors and state liaisons serving in different regions. For more information, visit www.natewin.org.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The National Association of Tower Erectors has singled out the companies that it feels represent “cream of the crop” for safety and quality in the industry by officially announcing the approved participates for its STAR Initiative for 2016-2017.

Now in its sixth year, the STAR Initiative program is designed to help companies operate safely and recognize tower contractors, owners and carriers who adhere to higher safety standards, according to NATE. The program requires participants to commit to requisite levels of training, site safety audits and the implementation of safety programs while also adhering to industry best practices. Companies identified as STAR participants also receive discounts on designated training courses offered on the NATE Exchange website. Participants also have access to the STAR Initiative App, which allows for the submission of Site Safety Audit documentation through a smartphone, tablet, computer or other mobile device.

Companies that have earned the distinction of being a STAR Initiative participant for 2016-2017 include BTE Management Group, Front Range Wireless, Microwave Transmission Systems, Sky Climber Tower Solutions and Telcom Construction Wireless Division.

For a complete list of participating companies, click here.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—Night climbing is the latest area of focus for the National Association of Tower Erectors “Climber Connection” campaign.

The new safety video highlights practical safety tips for conducting elevated work at night and includes testimonial footage from a tower worker on precautionary measures to incorporate at the tower-site when working in the dark. Among the areas the video focuses on include the danger of fatigue and communication between the ground and the tower.

NATE is also asking tower climbers to share their personal night climbing safety tips through NATE’s Facebook and Twitter.

NATE’s night climbing safety video can be viewed here.

Previous safety videos in the association’s “Climber Connection” series have covered PPE inspection, 100 percent tie-off, tower inspection, weather conditions, and RF and antenna identification.

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Tower Erectors will be the beneficiary of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Susan Harwood Targeted Topic Follow-On Training Grant for the second year in a row. NATE will receive $126,000 to continue offering its industry-specific training for the 2017 fiscal year.

“NATE facilitated the training of over 310 industry employees and employers in fiscal year 2016 due to the resources made available through the Susan Hardwood Grant,” said Todd Schlekeway, NATE’s executive director. “As recipients of the grant, the Association looks forward to continue offering these successful training programs in 12 new markets in 2017.”

Named after the former director of the Office of Risk Assessment in OSHA’s former Directorate of Health Standards, the Susan Harwood Training Grant program has been around since 1978 and provided training for 2.1 million workers, per NATE’s press release.

For more information on the program, click here.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The latest video of the National Association of Tower Erector’s Climber Connection campaign is now available. The new video focuses on RF and antenna identification safety.

The video outlines the FCC’s guidelines for maximum permissible RF exposure limits in both controlled and uncontrolled environments. Testimonial footage is also provided from a tower technician discussing thermal and health effects of RF exposure, as well as the importance of antenna identification when assessing RF hazards. Best practice tips for safety around different types of antennas are also included.

The RF and antenna identification safety video is available to watch here. NATE encourages tower technicians to share the video on social media sites using the hashtag #ClimberConnection.

Previous videos released by NATE as part of the Climber Connection campaign can be accessed here. Topics include PPE inspection, 100 percent tie-off, capstan hoist and rigging, workforce professionalism, tower inspection, gravity and weather conditions.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The American National Standards Institute and American Society of Safety Engineers have finalized the A10.48-2016 Standard on tower safety, the National Association of Tower Erectors announced in a press release. Officially titled A10.48 Standard – Criteria for Safety Practices with the Construction, Demolition, Modification and Maintenance of Communication Structures, the ANSI/ASSE standard encompasses the entire tower, construction, service and maintenance industry, and is being described as "the most comprehensive tower construction and use standard ever developed," according to NATE Executive Director Todd Schlekeway.

The new standard establishes minimum criteria for safe work practices and training for personnel performing work on communication structures, including antenna and antenna supporting structures. Other areas of construction addressed in the standard include pre-job planning; job site conditions; fall protection; radio frequency/electromagnetic energy; base mounted hoists used for overhead material lifting and personnel lifting; personnel lifting accessories and process; rigging; gin poles and other lifting devices; structural construction loading considerations; training program; capstan hoist; demolition; and helicopters used for lifting loads.

Kathy Stieler of Electronics Research Inc. was a member of NATE’s A10.48 subcommittee that worked with ASNI/ASSE to develop the new standard. “The A10.48 Standard will provide the ultimate road map for companies and workers to adhere to in order to raise the bar on safety and quality in the industry,” she said. “This transformative standard will fill a huge void that currently exists right now in the industry.”

Schlekeway also believes that this new standard is coming out at just the right time. "The timing of the standard's completion is significant as well as it comes prior to the Broadcast Repacking work that will be done in the aftermath of the 600 MHz Incentive Auction," he said. "The timing of this new standard is also great as it will be a go to resource for contractors and subcontractors involved in the FirstNet Public Safety Broadband Network deployment in the near future."

Representatives from NATE, ASSE and the Telecommunications Industry Association will be providing information and educational opportunities on the A10.48 standard in the coming weeks. NATE says it will also provide an update on how to purchase the standard when it is officially published.

WATERTOWN, S.D.— In the run-up to the U.S. TV spectrum repack, the National Association of Tower Erectors released a video on the impact of weather conditions on tower techs as part of it’s 2016 Climber Connection campaign. The repack, which could start sometime next year, is expected to put pressure on tower crews. (See “Repack Faces Tower Crew Shortage,” Dec. 28, 2015.) Tower fatalities spike in 2006, when crews faced the digital TV transition deadline, according to the Wireless Estimatortower fatality tracker.

More recently, the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill added to the tower industry workload with regulations requiring that “covered towers” to be “clearly marked,” according to Ashley Ludlow of Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth.

“Buried deep in its legislative bowels is Sec. 2110, a little-publicized provision that could have serious repercussions on small tower owners, particularly those in rural areas,” she wrote.

The NATE video appears to employ drone footage of techs working on tall steel, while tower tech Brent Jarvis explains the dangers of extreme heat and cold on tower-climbing personnel.

“Heat stress is the number one weather-related killer in the United States,” he said. “Heat and cold injuries are 100 percent preventable.”

NATE is a non-profit organization dedicated to the safety of its membership. It previously published a YouTube video stressing the importance of “100 percent tie-off,” a reference to the ropes and safety harnesses used to tether climbers to a tower. In it, Don Doty, a tower industry veteran, emphasized that the “centerpiece of federal regulations regarding fall protection is 100 percent tie-off, all the time, when above the six-foot level.”

WATERTOWN, S.D.—Advances in wireless are changing the landscape and delivery models for industries as diverse as health care, financial services, higher education, agriculture, energy, aviation, utilities, public safety, government and the military.

Did you know that the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE), a national trade organization, is providing the “muscle” behind this mobility revolution? NATE’s 800 + member companies are playing a prominent role as wireless infrastructure service and equipment providers in order to enable this global connectivity.

This enhanced technology is vital to meet both our present and future broadband needs and society’s insatiable thirst for data consumption. According to annual survey results released by CTIA – The Wireless Association, Americans used 9.6 trillion megabytes (MB) of data in 2015. This data usage is three times the 3.2 trillion MB of data utilized in 2013. The CTIA data compared this growth to the equivalent of consumers streaming 59,219 videos every minute or roughly 18 million MB!

Additionally, according to a report from the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), next generation wireless networks have the potential to add roughly $2.7 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product by 2030. This figure equates to an average annual growth boost of 0.7 percent or an overall increase of 11 percent in economic output.

NATE member companies are on the front lines in terms of deploying these next generation communications networks. Just how exactly are NATE member companies helping provide this wireless future? Consider the following areas of critical importance to the future of mobility:

FCC 600 MHZ Incentive Auction

As everyone in the wireless and broadcast industries are acutely aware, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is conducting a 600 MHZ Incentive Auction in order to free up valuable low band radio waves spectrum currently held by broadcasters. This 600 MHZ spectrum is often referred to as “beach front property” because airwaves operating in this band can travel longer distances and provide better in-buidling coverage.

Upon the conclusion of this innovative auction, NATE’s contractor companies and equipment supplier members will be called on to “repurpose” the spectrum by deploying the new antennas and wireless equipment on communications structures located across the United States. This important infrastructure work will help pave the way to enable emerging technologies and networks that are capable of meeting the country’s connectivity and data needs moving forward.

FirstNet Public Safety Broadband Network

NATE members will also be playing a critical role in the build-out of FirstNet, the country’s first nationwide broadband network devoted exclusively to public safety. When the FirstNet build-out is ready to begin, NATE member companies will be helping provide the wireless infrastructure services and equipment necessary to make this network a reality. FirstNet will ultimately help save lives and provide law enforcement officials, fire fighters and EMS personnel with the critical communications capabilities and resources they need to respond to emergency situations.

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Technology

NATE is also playing a proactive role in monitoring the trends and regulatory environment associated with rapidly evolving Unmanned Aerial Systems (drone) technologies and making recommendations to the wireless and broadcast infrastructure community on best practices when it comes to UAS integration. UAS technologies, if integrated appropriately, can play a supplemental role in enhancing safety and quality in the industry as well as contribute to the vital economic, public safety and national security benefits associated with broadband network deployments in the United States.

The Future: 5G Networks

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), it is widely anticipated that 5G (5th Generation) commercial networks will be in the marketplace by 2020. Wireless carriers like Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile are already in the process of planning 5G trials in the United States in order to pave the way for this technology. The ITU states that 5G networks will have a peak speed of 20 Gbps (billions of bits per second), or 20 times the peak speed specification of today’s 4G LTE networks, which stands at 1 Gps.

NATE member companies have developed and maintained every generation of communications networks and will help make 5G networks a reality in the future. The next time you utilize your smartphone to watch a YouTube video or stream a movie on Netflix, remember that NATE is on the forefront of making these next generation technologies and modern day conveniences possible.

This story first appeared on TVT's sister publication Radio World. 

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The National Association of Tower Erectors is providing some summer reading, announcing the release of a new resource document titled “Unmanned Aerial Systems Operations Around Vertical Communications Infrastructure.” The document was created from a collaboration between NATE’s UAS Committee and other representatives from the commercial UAS industry, according to NATE’s press release.

Focusing on small UAS operations around wireless infrastructure, cellular towers, broadcast towers and electrical distribution towers, the document provides UAS utilization guidelines dealing with FAA requirements, flight operations, training provisions, documentations, safety reporting, emergency procedures, weather requirements, noise abatement and hours of operation. According to NATE Executive Director Todd Schlekeway, this will be the first of several best practice documents from the NATE UAS Committee regarding UAS technologies.

The “Unmanned Aerial Systems Operations Around Vertical Communications Infrastructure” resource book is available for free download on NATE’s website.

This article first appeared in TV Technology's sister publication, Radio Magazine.

WATERTOWN, S.D.­—The National Association of Tower Erectors wants members to #StandDown4Safety this week.

From May 2-6, members are encouraged to participate in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction by having frank discussions with employees about fall risks and how to prevent accidents. According to OSHA, falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry.

“The OSHA Safety Stand-Down Week serves as a nice complement to some of the association’s top current initiatives to enhance worker safety, such as the NATE Susan Harwood Grant Fall Prevention Worker Training Course offerings and the NATE Climber Connection Campaign,” said NATE Executive Director Todd Schlekeway.

Register online to participate in one of NATE’s 2016 Fall Prevention Worker Training Courses.

The 2015 National Safety Stand-Down reached more than 2.5 million workers. OSHA’s 2016 goal is to reach 5 million workers.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The National Association of Tower Erectors has commended the U.S. Senate’s recent reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. NATE, in a recent press release, specifically points to the approval of new language that enhances education and safety in the use of unmanned aerial systems.

“NATE would like to thank Senators Thune, Ayotte, Nelson, and Cantwell and their colleagues in the United States Senate for passing this important FAA reauthorization legislation,” said Todd Schlekeway, executive director of NATE, in a statement. “The Association is extremely interested in the commercial application of Unmanned Aerial Systems technology. UAS can complement and enhance the safety and well-being of communication tower workers by minimizing the risks associated with climber fatigue, weather, and distractions, while reducing repetitive stress injuries.”

Schlekeway also noted NATE’s work with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on other tower safety initiatives.

NATE Chairman Jim Tracy also commented on the Senate’s passage: “The bill’s emphasis on education and safety in the use of technology is consistent with NATE’s status as a national leader in developing and implementing tower safety programs.”

LAS VEGAS—Using the 2016 International Wireless Communications Expo as its platform, the National Association of Tower Erectors released a new Capstan Hoist and Rigging safety video as part of its “Climber Connection” campaign.

In the video, NATE highlights safety tips for selecting and using capstan hoists. There is also a recorded testimonial from a tower climber on performing function tests, checking manufacturer’s guidelines and emphasizing best practices for using a capstan hoist. In addition, the vide features real footage of capstan hoists in use lifting antenna equipment.

The NATE Member Services Committee says it developed the “Climber Connection” campaign in conjunction with the NATE Safety and Education Committee to provide resources and deliver the association’s message directly to the work force. This is third of 12 planned video releases that will be part of the “Climber Connection” campaign; each will focus on a specific safety topic or issue involving working at heights. NATE previously released videos on PPE inspection and 100 percent tie-off.

To see the capstan hoist and rigging video, click here.

NEW ORLEANS—NATE UNITE 2016 was one for the record books, according to the National Association of Tower Erectors, as the organization’s annual conference set new records for both registered attendees and total exhibitors.

According to NATE, 1,614 individuals registered for NATE UNITE 2016 in New Orleans, surpassing the previous high-mark of 1,564 at NATE UNITE 2015 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

In addition, NATE UNITE 2016 featured more exhibitors than previously in the conference’s 21-year history, with a total of 137 exhibitors taking part.

“The record-setting accomplishments of NATE UNITE 2016 are a testament to NATE’s ability to evolve along with the wireless industry,” said Todd Schlekeway, NATE executive director.

The organization reports they are already working toward NATE UNITE 2017, which will take place in Fort Worth, Texas, with a date to be announced later.

NEW ORLEANS—Kevin Hayden, president of Hayden Tower Services, and Diane Mueller, sales representative for Primus Electronics, were the guest of honors during the NATE UNITE 2016 Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Hayden was the recipient of the Bill Carson Lifetime Service Award, while Mueller was presented with the Distinguished Service Award.

Kevin Hayden

The Bill Carson Lifetime Service Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and long-term contributions to the National Association of Tower Erector’s mission and has served the association for a minimum of 15 years. Hayden was a founding member of NATE in 1995 and has served as chairman and director for the Board of Directors, as well as a variety committee leadership roles.

Dianne Mueller

Mueller was this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes past or present committee members who “has demonstrated direct and individual contributions to the NATE mission.” Mueller has been a NATE Member Service Committee volunteer for 18 years. She has also helped form the first NATE Regional Meeting in Sept. 2015 and assisted the NATE administrative staff with the NATE UNITE conference.

The NATE UNITE 2016 conference is currently underway in New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS—As the annual NATE UNITE Conference gets underway, The National Association of Tower Erectors have announced the election of Jim Tracy, Jim Miller and Kari Carlson to the association’s executive committee for the upcoming year. All three are members on NATE’s board of directors.

Jim Tracy

Tracy will serve as NATE chairman, becoming the sixth chairman in the organization’s history. A member of NATE’s board of directors for five years, Tracy previously served as vice chairman of the board of directors and board oversight for the member services committee. Tracy works for Legacy Telecommunications.

Miller, who works for EasTex Tower, was re-elected to the position of NATE vice chairman. Miller has been on the board for seven years and served as board oversight for the safety and a member of the legislative and regulatory committee.

Carlson, of Tower Systems, was also re-elected as the secretary/treasurer. A Nate board member for nine years, Carlson previously served on the association’s financial investment committee and industry relations committee.

The 2016 NATE UNITE Conference is taking place in New Orleans through Feb. 25.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—Ahead of the National Association of Tower Erectors UNITE 2016 Conference, NATE has released the second video in its Climber Connection campaign, a 100 percent Tie-Off Safety Video.

The video highlights practical 100 percent tie-off safety tips to ensure workers are adhering to standards that govern fall protection. The video provides a testimonial from a tower climber discussing safe 100 percent tie-off practices and promoting a zero tolerance policy.

NATE is encouraging tower climbers and wireless industry stakeholders to share the video through their social media accounts, with the hashtag #ClimberConnection. The organization also encourages employees and employers to sign the 100 percent Tie-Off 24/7 Commitment Certificate, which can be downloaded here.

To watch the 100 Percent Tie-Off Safety Video, click here.

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—Recalling the frantic period of activity to get antenna systems in place leading up to the June 2009 deadline for the U.S. DTV switchover, could it be “déjà vu all over again” when the 2016 incentive spectrum auction dust settles?

A multitude of qualifi ed tall tower workers will be key to accomplishing the necessary postauction TV station “repack.”

Given the number of stations likely to be impacted by an anticipated channel repack, the National Association of Broadcasters commissioned Digital Tech Consulting to examine the matter. Early last month, the Dallas-based research firm released its findings in a 60-page document (“Broadcast Spectrum Repacking Timeline, Resource and Cost Analysis Study”) which examined several industry sectors critical in moving the repack forward. One of these was tower workers.

CREW CRUNCH
The availability of qualified tower workers has to be a major concern, for no matter how much channel-change hardware (transmitters, antennas, RF components and tower structural modification members) can be delivered, without sufficient installers it will be just so much dead weight languishing on pallets and in packing boxes.

It all seems to boil down to: “Are there enough tall-tower workers to handle the anticipated changes within the three years the FCC has allotted?”

Given the many variables, this is not an easily answered question. No one really knows how many broadcasters will sell out, will remain on the same channel, or will need a new antenna (and in some cases, transmitting facility relocation). The study suggests that 800–1,200 stations will require fairly extensive changes involving new antennas and replacement of associated RF components. It assumes that there may be 16 tall tower crews available when the channel swapping begins, and given this number (and the time required for a typical job), finds that no more than 130 antenna/tower retrofits could be accomplished in one year. It concludes that the repack clock may tick out with perhaps only 360 antenna jobs completed—not even half of the low end number anticipated.

FCC DROPPED THE BALL
Several individuals and organizations likely to be involved in repack activities were contacted for their take on the situation. Tom Silliman, president and CEO at antenna manufacturer ERI (and a tower rigger himself), estimates that the number of qualified crews is about the same as it was prior to the DTV transition.

Tom Silliman

“I’d say that there are around 15 qualified crews,” said Silliman. “If a station gets repacked they’re probably going to need an auxiliary antenna and reinforcing for the tower, and that takes time; however, the real problem is that people aren’t going to start ordering antennas until next summer and it will be a year before things start going out into the field. Immediately you’ve lost one of the three years due to the turnaround. I told the FCC this myself: ‘You’re going to need at least five years.’

“Another factor is that the FCC has crippled the TV transmission supply side. There are fewer antenna manufacturing companies than there were a few years ago because of the FCC television ‘freeze.’ We dropped literally half of our capacity. We didn’t lose any of our capability; we just lost a lot of our depth. Where we needed technology we’ve kept people; but where we could afford to let people go, we did.”

Keith L. Pelletier, vice president and general manager of antenna manufacturer Dielectric is also concerned about industry readiness.

“If you look at the players that went through the DTV build-out, the range of preparedness varies,” said Pelletier. “Dielectric is preparing for the repack, but the proposed timeline is going to be a real challenge. We’re being aggressive with the steps we can take to be ready. You need to be aware too that there are a limited number of qualified structural engineers and tower crews. It is going to be a problem, especially considering weather, [in] getting the repack done in the extremely short timeframe while maintaining safety standards.”

SAFETY CONCERNS LOOM
Safety issues are on the radar also at a major tower trade association, the National Association of Tower Erectors.

Placing a multi-ton TV antenna atop a 1,000- foot tower is markedly different than installing panel-type cell site antennas.

“The timeline is a concern to us, especially the 36-month window,” said Todd Schlekeway, NATE’s executive director. “In our industry after the digital conversion there hasn’t been much work from a contractor’s perspective in that space. The workforce migrated over to the wireless and cell tower side, and all the new workers in the last several years are familiar with [only] that type of work. You start ramping up broadcast again and there could definitely be a shortage of contractors qualified to do work, and broadcast towers are a whole different animal than cell towers. We’re concerned about safety. Given the nature of the work and [lack of] familiarity with working on broadcast structures… and the timeline, [there is] a concern from a safety perspective and we’ve sent correspondence to the FCC that said as much. We’re going to be watching things very closely.”

Joe Burdette, vice president and co-owner of U.S. Tower Services in Frederick, Md., also believes that there could be manpower shortages and safety issues, and notes that the situation is not the same as when broadcasters were preparing for the DTV changeover.

“Qualified crew availability is much worse,” said Burdette. “When the first big change came about there were plenty of companies that did this sort of work. That’s not the situation now. Most of the work going on is in connection with cell sites, and those crews aren’t necessarily qualified to do tall tower work.”

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Even if a much larger workforce could be readied immediately, there are other factors that could slow the overall repack program. Weather can be a big player with windy conditions halting a job and low temperatures greatly impeding progress.

“You can work through the winter,” said Silliman, reflecting on a job he did in Chicago. “But it’s painful and you’re not nearly as efficient.”

Another slowdown may come from a pending industry requirement. “There’s a new TIA [Telecommunications Industry Association] code that’s probably going to come out within the next year that’s going to make things even tougher for tall tower jobs,” said Burdette. “There’re going to be changes in things like wind loading, metal fatigue and other areas. Even if you install a smaller antenna, you must follow the latest code.”

Dielectric’s Pelletier also flagged the interrelationship between some television markets as a potential retarding factor.

“The whole eastern seaboard is going to be problematic,” he said. “You’ve got so many large markets in a small geographical area—Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore, Washington, all the way down the coast—that a change in Boston may trigger changes all the way down to Charlotte, N.C.”

ARE THERE ANY SOLUTIONS?
Given the “Mission Impossible” nature of the pending repack, is there anything that broadcasters can do now to speed up matters when the flag drops?

“Do some homework,” said Pelletier. “Get a VSWR sweep of your system and determine what is band-limited and what is not, and figure out what channels will work with the transmission line length you have now. It would be good to speak with your RF system and antenna manufacturer to get a high-level understanding of system capabilities and what they may be able to do to help you with a frequency change.

“In some cases the old analog antenna is still on the tower,” Pelletier continued. “This could come down in advance to make way for a new antenna. The more things you can do proactively now—structural studies, transmission line inspection and sweeps—the better.”

ERI’s Silliman also offered suggestions.

“If a station really wants to get ahead of the game and they’re worried that they’re going to go down in frequency they ought to have someone look at the tower—have it analyzed in terms of capacity and possibly do some reinforcement work.”

Asked if ERI will establish a “waiting list” for prioritizing repack work, Silliman was quick to answer.

“It’s strictly going to be first-come, first-served.”