Removing an antenna from Sears Tower

[Al Skierkiewicz]

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=8729614
Last weekend, WLS removed the main Channel 7 analog antenna from the top of the East Pylon at Sears. This is a video of that event. The WLS traffic copter was used to shoot the removal. Of special note, one of the four men at the top was on the original installation crew for this antenna in 1985. As the camera zooms in and out, you will see significant parts of the north side of Chicago and occasionally, Navy Pier. As the antenna descends, you will see one of the glass blow outs on the observation deck and later you will see the major reconstruction of upper level Wacker Drive. For anyone who has been to downtown Chicago (or watched the Blues Brothers movie) knows there is an under ground street that runs near the Chicago River known as lower level Wacker Drive. It has been in existence for quite some time and was badly in need of repair.
All broadcast services on the roof had to be shutdown to prevent RF exposure to the workers. As you look at the video from the beginning, you will see each tower has three sections. Where the men exited the interior, is just above the Channel 11 (my station) old analog main antenna, now used by WBBM on digital Channel 12. The top of the antenna was removed earlier and it contained the tower aircraft strobe. The removal of the strobe was needed to connect the antenna to the helicopter. Note that the copter pilot must keep the aircraft centered over the antenna to prevent it from swinging and affecting flight.