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What a job! "Stand on top of a very tall antenna on an extremely tall building and wiggle it around so we can get the bolts in." Glad there are people with the guts to do that because I sure couldn't.
This is the most exciting video I’ve seen in a long time. The fearlessness of all those guys is unbelievable - especially the man who climbs to the top and jiggles the mast. I just can’t imagine…
I worked high rise construction for many years. Highest I ever worked was 55 storeys. Once you get over the initial fear of hanging off a high rise, it actually becomes exhilarating, and even addictive. I never even came remotely close to slipping or other mishap in all those years, but now, decades later, I sometimes have bad dreams about falling. BTW......Height of the building is of no consequence. I knew 4 people killed in construction falls. Every one of them in falls from less than 5 storeys.
Yeah, I just did OSHA 30, the overwhelming majority of fatal accidents are falls and the majority of them are from way lower heights than people would think. 1-3 stories, off of ladders, residential roofers, that kind of thing.
I personally installed the N+1 combiner on the 100th floor, that made it possible to transmit the NTSC and Digital TV signals simutaneously. The DTV was at low power around 20 KW, while the NTSC was at 60KW (?). The FCC required a 5 year conversion window, for all stations to go full on DTV. This must be the final DTV antenna. They have the ability to use both antennas each in half power mode, or either antenna in total power mode as backup. The elevator to get up there takes only like 30 seconds to go 100 stories. Its like a carnival ride. We went on top of the building one night to take in the view, and I was able to look over the edge of the building down at the street. Freaky. No one can be on the roof when they are transmitting, or else you will be fried my the strength of the UHF signal. When they have to shut down like this, the station manager told me that they potentially could loose $100,000 a minute. and that was in 1999 ish.
What were the stations on those antennas? IIRC, WLS-TV had its awesome Jampro spiral antenna for NTSC in one of the spots prior to the digital transition, with WTTW on top.
So if someone would fry if they’re up around the antennas when they’re functioning, how are aircraft able to fly in close proximity without terrible effects? And obviously I’m not talking about the Erickson Sky Crane used in this video. I mean regular aircraft flying close by from day to day. In a helicopter you can legally fly right next to those antennas.
@@VictoryAviation I don't know where you get your information, but it is _not_ legal to play chicken with tall buildings in an aircraft! Especially after 9-11.
@@StringerNews1 I’m a commercial fixed wing pilot and will have my commercial helicopter license in a couple months. 14 CFR 91.119 says 500’ minimum altitude over congested areas and 500’ from any structure, person, vessel, etc. However it also says, “If the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface - may be operated at any altitude provided any person operating the helicopter complies with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the FAA.” 500’ is pretty close, especially when you’re talking about an antenna that can broadcast with the power it has. This doesn’t take into account making approaches to heliports, which could absolutely take you within less than 500’ distance of other structures. So nobody is talking about playing chicken with buildings. I’m talking about normal operations in a large city environment like Chicago.
@@VictoryAviation oh, you're a commercial pilot. What video ga...er _airline_ do you fly for? Get real, kid. I know that's a lie. If you had only read 14 CFR 91.119, you would have seen that for over congested areas, the altitude is 1,000 feet, and horizontal separation is 2,000 feet! And because of a thing called the inverse square law, 2000' is plenty to reduce power to safe levels. There's more to it than that, and a real commercial pilot would know about restricted airspace and controlled airspace. Any real pilot knows not to go joyriding through urban canyons for a variety of reasons, all of which have to do with aircraft safety. Video gamers know none of these things.
These iron workers are breed of there own , just another day for them, but the pilot to me is the most important key to this, this is how it's made to look easy when you have a complete top notch crew
The difficulty IN THE WINDY CITY is off the charts! That pilot is incredible! @ 10:35, look at the pants of the guy standing on that platform! The wind is RIPPING!
It’s good to know there are jobs available for crazy people. There’s about a 0% chance I’d climb on the base level of that antenna, much less the section on top installed a few minutes earlier.
I flew in that same helicopter a year later with the same crew of pilots. They talked about this same lift. That’s an expression to never forget. That’s for sharing.
@@snakebitmcgee6532 hah that’s funny. I can try to figure out how to add a picture to this thread. I worked with them way before smart phones and RU-vid came out. 🤷♂️
I’m not typically afraid of heights but this is insane. These guys are something else altogether. From a human standpoint i don’t understand how some people can mind over matter tasks like these it’s truly fascinating to me. Chicago born and raised resident here. I was happy to see the title refer the building as Sears. The Willis Tower is just strange to hear even now after knowing it as the Sears Tower my entire youth.
Even after he's done shaking it, the same guys go back to tighten the lower bolts again to make sure nothing didn't loosen up and everything is properly secured.
That's the job of big people, the courage of those men up there has to be brave, and the guy in the helicopter has to be a real pilot, congratulations to everyone.
Dude F THAT! One sway and that thing would take you and your two buddies with it. And the thought of standing on the tip reaching UP to grab the load! 😱 talk about losing your balance! Hats off to these men!
The base of those antennas are anchored down to the 106th floor and those guys you see going in the antenna thats the 108th floor which are the mechanical floors from 106 to 108 floor 109 which is the roof and the penthouse for the glass clean machine that sits in the penthouse is floor 110
I'd rather be one of the guys on the ground. Can you imagine being on the side of that mast some 1600 feet up with that chopper overhead producing all that wind? Nerves of steel.
Rare footage! Witnessing the addition to the West Antenna Tower on the Sears Building in Chicago from June 4th, 2000, offers a fascinating glimpse into the city's architectural history. It's amazing to see the progress and changes over the years.
Agreed. If he’s off just a little bit, he can harm or kill several guys. The heavy set guy on the ground seems to be the boss. The grim look on his face tells the whole story about the pressure he’s under.
@@VictoryAviation This is one of those conversations, where if you know what we are talking about, YOU KNOW! You know what I mean? I realize this is major inside talk, but I do miss my flying days in the Army.
@@davidclaudy4822 Unfortunately I have a unique medical condition that’s allowed me to serve for 23 years, but not as a pilot in the military. However the FAA has lovely alternative color vision tests that I found out about a couple years ago and I’ve been off to the races since on the civ side. I am very envious that I didn’t get to fly on the mil side.
There is a small window in which to do this. The weather has to be right, which means as little wind as possible which is rare in Chicago. As little traffic as possible, so on a Sunday when very few people and cars are around. It can't be too hot either, thermal drafts will cause problems. Plus, using helicopters aint cheap you wanna get those boys off the clock as soon as possible. You have to do things quickly and efficiently, but this is the kind of work that cannot be rushed, it'll be done when it's done.
@@mikemarley2389 Its not actually windy. Well, i should say its no more windy than any other city is. The name was from a Cincinatti enquirer in 1876 that depicted a tornado that blew through the city while also poking at the local speakers that were "full of wind". Something along those lines. Possibly ChatGPT that ....
Radio stations East mast 482 m: WLIT FM 93.9 MHz main, 4.0 kW, AMFM WCHI FM 95.5 backup, 3.1 kW, AMFM 480 m: WBMX FM 104.3 main, 4.1 kW, CBS Radio 476 m: WTMX FM 101.9 main, 4.2 kW, Hubbard 474 m: WBBM FM 96.3 main, 4.2 kW, CBS Radio 472 m: WKSC FM 103.5 main, 4.3 kW, AMFM WGCI FM 107.5 main, 3.7 kW, AMFM 470 m: WFMT FM 98.7, 6.0 kW 468 m: WLS FM 94.7 main, 4.4 kW West mast 460 & 451 m: WFMT FM 98.7 backups 443 m: WBBM-FM 96.3 backup WBMX 104.3 backup W264BF (simulcast of WHLP) 100.7 MHz, 2 W, Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa table of allotments: **WLIT, WLS, WBBM, WTMX, WBMX, WCFS NOAA Weather Radio station KWO39 transmits off the tower at 162.550 MHz. Programmed by the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Chicago, it is equipped with Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME), which sets off a siren on specially-programmed weather radios to alert of an impending hazard. Television stations East mast 515 m: WLS-TV 7 analog, 55 kW, ABC Owned Television Stations (Analog Broadcast discontinued as of June 12, 2009. Now broadcasting only in digital.) WLS-TV 7 permanent digital, 4.75 kW 510 m: WCPX-TV 43 digital, 200 kW, Ion Media Networks WCPX-TV 38 analog, 3630 kW, Ion Media Networks (Analog Broadcast discontinued as of June 12, 2009. Now broadcasting only in digital.) WJYS TV 36 digital, 145 kW, Oxford Media Group WCIU-TV 27 digital, 15.1 kW, Weigel Broadcasting 509 m: WXFT-TV 59 temporary digital, 200 kW, Univision Communications WXFT-TV 50 permanent digital, 230 kW, Univision Communications 498 m: WTTW TV 11 analog, 60.3 kW, Window To the World Communications (Analog Broadcast discontinued as of June 12, 2009. Now broadcasting only in digital.) WBBM-TV 12 digital, 8 kW, CBS Television Stations 480 m: WFLD TV 31 digital backup, 475 kW, Fox Television Stations WPWR-TV 51 digital backup, 508 kW, Fox Television Stations 478 m: WGN-TV 19 digital backup, 310/229 kW, Tribune Broadcasting 474 m: WTTW TV 47 digital backup, 150 kW, Window To the World Communications WLS-TV 52 digital backup, 220 kW, ABC Owned Television Stations unknown: WESV-LD 40 digital, 37.2 kW, Trinity Christian Center of Santa Ana West mast 523 m: WPWR-TV 51 digital, 1000 kW, Fox Television Stations 514 m, WLS-TV 52 temporary digital, 153.6 kW, ABC Owned Television Stations 508 m, WMAQ-TV 29 digital, 350 kW, NBC Owned Television Stations 494 m: WMAQ-TV 5 analog, 20 kW (Analog Broadcast discontinued as of June 12, 2009. Now broadcasting only in digital.) WPWR-TV 50 analog, 5000 kW (Analog Broadcast discontinued as of June 12, 2009. Now broadcasting only in digital.) WXFT-TV 60 analog, 5000 kW, (Analog Broadcast discontinued as of June 12, 2009. Now broadcasting only in digital.) 475 m: WFLD TV 31 digital, 690/1000 kW, Fox Television Stations 473 m: WCIU-TV 26 analog, 5000 kW (Analog Broadcast discontinued as of June 12, 2009. Now broadcasting only in digital.) 472 m: WCIU-TV 27 digital, 590 kW, Weigel Broadcasting WSNS-TV 44 analog 5000 kW, NBC Owned Television Stations (Analog Broadcast discontinued as of June 12, 2009. Now broadcasting only in digital.) WSNS-TV 45 digital 467/665 kW, NBC Owned Television Stations 465 m: WTTW TV 47 digital, 300 kW, Window To the World Communications 455 m: WJYS TV 36 digital, 50 kW, Oxford Media Group 453 m: WGN-TV 19 digital, 645 kW, Tribune Broadcasting unknown: WWME-CD 39 digital, 4.4 kW, Weigel Broadcasting WEDE-CD 34 digital, 50 kW, First United WMEU-CA 48 analog STA, 150 kW, Weigel Broadcasting WMEU-LD 32 digital, 15 kW
I admire these guys! I could not do this type of job! You are incredible workers, do this job in the highest! My greetings and respect! (city Barbacena, state Minas Gerais, Country Brazil)
So cool so his job a top is the wobble around so that it releases the tension on the nuts and bolts below so that the workers are able to fully tighten them
I remember seeing this helicopter in the 70's when it came once a year to Flat Rock Michigan to install equipment on the roof of Ford Michigan Casting Center. This was Fords largest iron foundry at the time. Building was too big for a giant crane to reach the center of the building. So we had to hire Evergreen once a year to install equipment on the roof. It was usually a Sunday, nobody was allowed to work in the building, in case the pilots had to drop your load to save the chopper. If I remember it was something like $20,000 to show up and $1,000 per lift. If the millwrights rigged it wrong, and the chopper picked it up, and set it back down, CHA CHING! A thousand dollar mistake by the mill wrights. Didn't happen very often, our M/W's and Tinsmiths were very good at rigging! Talked to the pilots, and most of them were Vietnam Vets at that time. Nice guys and VERY SKILLED AT FLYING HUNKS OF STEEL THRU THE AIR FOR US!!
Met a guy one that did this type of work, he said the most dangerous part is landing the components together. Nothing is scarier than the moment you come in contact with it until the copter is released and clear
What these fearless folks do is amazing. Plus the coordination of the Sikorsky sky crane pilot and the crew is impeccable. Some people would have a heart attack just watching this.
The loss of this tech came from offshore imports of lunar wane shafts. If it wasn't for the above, and the copying of such advances, the competition would have had a hard time effectively preventing side fumbling.
That's Nucking Futts! It makes me sad to think the Twin Towers in NY are gone, but someday I will visit Chicago just to see the Sears Tower.Hard to imagine Sears is gone, after all they invented home delivery along with JC Penny!
I noticed that the pilot wasn't a 25 year old bed wetter who always got a trophy. He had some gray hair. The best!!! And I'm sure he gets paid according ly. Cheers
Another great job performed by professionals. We're fortunate to have people that are willing and ready to do they're best at what ever they do. Let's Go People 💯💯💯💯💯
The guy standing on the outside of the antenna on that tiny 2 ft platform with no railings on it is living a nightmare I have had a few different times. Everytime I have had this dream I wake up and I always remember the dream which I find strange because I can't remember any of my other dreams.
That is an incredible stable helicopter/super pilot. But also this looks like the most dangerous job to be up there on the tower when your life is in de hands of the wind-gods..
My biggest fear with helicopter lifts is the static discharge. Talk about your heart pumping the first time you touch the load, even after it's properly discharged I always have that doubt.
Actual height is not relative to the fear factor. 2,000 ft is just the same as 200 ft . If you fall you are just as dead. So if you are good at this you have to be confident in your team and your gear. Fear of falling never enters your mind.
Heck, you can see the Sears Tower from Lombard and Addison. Probably even farther. I wish Sears didn't go belly up. I was up in that tower when I was a youngster. I thought "What a fall !", as I'm thinking that now.
That is by far the craziest shit I ever dreamed of seeing. Those men have nads bigger than the biggest buffalo ever seen in life. I really hope the radio works.
There are some things that men do that you just can't believe what you're seeing.....I get dizzy standing on a sweet wrapper....no office 'shinies' here...just plain fearlessness, courage and determination. After a day doing this, how do these sky warriors relax?!
They made it looks easy and flawless well oiled machine all the way around going on right there and the video footage from so many different angles gave such a great perspective 👏 BRAVO
I grew up in Chi-town suburbs. The Prudential Building at 44 floors (observation deck) was tops. By HS, the John Hancock Bldg at 104 floors was tops. The elevator ride and view were awesome. Sears Tower at 110 floors was pretty cool too. Their observation deck had a metal screened outdoor porch for a cheap thrill. But these guys make it seem like I jumped a curb. Great skill.
that building has an observation floor made of glass that you can walk onto and look straight down. I always thought I was ok with heights, but I could not walk out onto that glass floor. My son finally convinced me to crawl out there, I was terrified, but I did it,
I wish they would allow people to go on the roof, for observation, instead of the 103rd floor, it's still really great, don't get me wrong, but I feel it would be an even greater experience.
From MN, but lived in west IL growing up, and now back in MN for 40 years. Well into adulthood, never appreciated the form of Sears - as I do now. Tremendous building.
Mad skills all around is about all I can say! What a way to spend a Sunday! I hope they went to church early to pray for safety! I grew up in Chicago and remember when the Prudential Building (40 stories) was the tallest building. My buddies and I used to cut school to go ride the world's fastest elevators!
