This is how Cristian Navarro, our Radio Technician, who for the past 11 years has been in charge of keeping the OSF and AOS VHF radio system working, tells of his experience.
This periodic work is fundamental for our daily operations at the OSF and AOS, since the radio system is the only means that allows communication anywhere within the observatory site. While there are telephones at the antennas, outside the antennas there is no medium with a greater presence than radio.
And if the function of the towers is already amazing, the view from there is even more so. “At the top of the tower you have the best view of the observatory. Very few people have the privilege of working at this height and being able to contemplate the landscape,” says Cristian.
To ascend, he climbs a ladder located inside the tower. There, with a sliding carriage, he attaches his harness to a lifeline, always using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). As he climbs, he monitors the conditions and problems that the tower may have, while opening different hatches until he reaches the top. Once at the top, he informs Safety that the ascent was successful.
“Today this system allows us to communicate. But tomorrow we want it to allow us to geo-reference where people or vehicles are and thus be able to have a little more peace of mind from the point of view of people’s safety, and also to prevent some infractions from being committed,” says Rolando Olivos, our Infrastructure Maintenance Group (IMG) Manager.
Grande Cristián!!!!