[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”30px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_orientation=”left” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Cristian climbs the rungs of a narrow ladder, while the wind and cold hit his face. He is 50 meters above the ground, at the top of our radio towers: “As easy or difficult as this task may seem, it is not for people with vertigo or fear of heights”.<\/p>\n
This is how Cristian Navarro, our Radio Technician<\/strong>, who for the past 11 years has been in charge of keeping the OSF and AOS VHF radio system working, tells of his experience.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alma.loadingediciones.cl\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/0b956ded-6c8c-47a1-83b3-faee74d2e53b-1.jpeg” title_text=”0b956ded-6c8c-47a1-83b3-faee74d2e53b (1)” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alma.loadingediciones.cl\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-09-at-7.52.29-PM-1-e1685635022535.jpeg” title_text=”WhatsApp Image 2023-05-09 at 7.52.29 PM (1)” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alma.loadingediciones.cl\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/22042011381-1-e1685640713110.jpg” title_text=”22042011381 (1)” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alma.loadingediciones.cl\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/52cd05c7-1bff-40cb-928f-7aaf71de2581-1-e1685640887427.jpeg” title_text=”52cd05c7-1bff-40cb-928f-7aaf71de2581 (1)” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_orientation=”left” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Every three months he inspects the radio repeater towers located on the Macon, Amargo and Honar hills. There he checks the condition of the tower guy rods, the lighting, grounding, condition of the structure, ladder and foundations. And if any corrections are necessary, he performs maintenance or requests help from the contractor’s personnel. <\/p>\n This periodic work is fundamental for our daily operations at the OSF and AOS<\/strong>, 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.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_orientation=”left” min_height=”148.5px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]From above<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alma.loadingediciones.cl\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/f9819734-92dc-441d-884c-f259531c5b78-1-e1685633530453.jpeg” title_text=”f9819734-92dc-441d-884c-f259531c5b78 (1)” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alma.loadingediciones.cl\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/panoramica-1.jpg” title_text=”panoramica (1)” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_orientation=”left” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]While the view from the top is priceless, precautions also increase. “It’s easy to change a light bulb in a room, but when you have to change a light bulb 50 meters up, standing on the edge of the tower…”. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alma.loadingediciones.cl\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/edf13f44-38fb-4a78-9159-9e8059bb7237-1-e1685633703556.jpeg” title_text=”edf13f44-38fb-4a78-9159-9e8059bb7237 (1)” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alma.loadingediciones.cl\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/3cad6958-c593-4853-859b-a63c1dbc5514-1-e1685640624461.jpeg” title_text=”3cad6958-c593-4853-859b-a63c1dbc5514 (1)” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_orientation=”left” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Improving communication<\/strong>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alma.loadingediciones.cl\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/7db54f7a-6d4d-4f95-8022-686dc92adb4b-1-e1685634135203.jpg” title_text=”7db54f7a-6d4d-4f95-8022-686dc92adb4b (1)” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_orientation=”left” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]While we continue to use this analog radio system, new technologies are already being worked on in parallel. <\/p>\n “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<\/strong>.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_orientation=”left” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]These alternatives are based on low power consumption wireless networks that would allow on-site communication without affecting antenna signals. In the meantime, we remain connected via the radios kept by Cristian from the heights.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/alma.loadingediciones.cl\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-09-at-7.52.28-PM-2-e1685634333748.jpeg” title_text=”WhatsApp Image 2023-05-09 at 7.52.28 PM (2)” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n Cristian climbs the rungs of a narrow ladder, while the wind and cold hit his face. He is 50 meters above the ground, at the top of our radio towers: “As easy or difficult as this task may seem, it is not for people with vertigo or fear of heights”. This is how Cristian Navarro, […]<\/p>\n