Anyone use the PitchHopper to climb their shingle roof vs ladders for antenna installation?

[TrainsOfThought]

Good morning.

I haven't been on a roof in over 25 years.

Age 64, has anyone used the PitchHopper foam blocks to walk up/access their asphalt shingle roofs to install antennas? The Pitch Hopper | The Best Roofing Tool for Efficiency
There bunches of reviews etc on Youtube

...looks good for DIY'ers. A roofing supply near me supposedly sells them. I wanted to run these by the Community for ideas.

I'm looking to come out a 2nd floor bedroom window and up the "walk" up shingle roof of the home office extension the reach the newly renovated brick chimney.

 

[K9KLC]

This is my answer. I use pitch hoppers all the time. They are NOT a substitute for common sense or other safety equipment. Your roof looks doable with some pitch hoppers however you're gonna need at a minimum two. (And move them as you go up). I'd recommend you have someone there to help you, watch for things you can't and just a second set of eyes and hands.

 

[K9KLC]

Also I'd recommend a safety rope of appropriate diameter tied off on the front of the house looks like some pretty fair trees up there. Tie the rope off and get it over the top of the roof down that other side. go to a Big box store and get a roofer safety kit (about 100 bucks or so) and use the harness included but use the the other rope unless the 50 foot one that comes with that kit isn't long enough. OR if you're good with knots, you can put the two ropes together and go about it that way.

I'm not gonna say we do or do not use them without the harness's but I will say the warning is right there on the pitch hopper itself. The harness would be another way to guarantee your safety. (life). To be 100% honest, If you've never used the pitch hoppers or do not have a literal ton of roof experience, truthfully I'd recommend hiring someone maybe to get that up there for you. NO antenna is worth your life.

If you do decided to carry on, stay to the center of the pitch hoppers, do not stand on the edges (from left to right) that's where they'll try and walk on you. Be mindful of where you place your feet regarding the front to back, do not stay towards the back or downward side, again, they might try and flip on you. They're GREAT items, I'll have 6 up on a roof tomorrow doing some painting but, man be careful. they're not the answer for everything but truthfully I can't imagine life without them now.

 

[TrainsOfThought]

Thank you K. I picked up three 24" PitchHoppers this week from the in-Town ABC Building supply. I'll do a limited test with one shortly just to get the feel for them. I'll say one thing...fitting through the bedroom window is a FANTASTIC diet/lifestyle change encouragement! I'm taking this step-by-step and not rushing. I started the roofer safety kit as a backup for the PitchHoppers. Our roof was relatively easy to ascend to the 80-90's urban flat roof (through the bathroom closet roof!) for scanner radio antennas but that was over 25 years ago and lots have changed. Long term I have plans (hopes) for multiple antennas multiple roof antennas for scanning and high school-fascination with radio waves finally learning about and doing some ham radio. The ultimate solution would be an exterior mounted ladder as pic'd. Being an amateur astronomer maybe even one day finding an outlet to those pent-up asto feels for radio astronomy.

 

[K9KLC]

Truthfully, and not seeing the roof in person, we usually traverse on and off a ladder at the gutter line but we with VERY VERY rare exception have our ladders touch the guttering. During those RARE exceptions we use this. Ladder's Little Helper - Amazon.com


However normally we just use these.

Ladder Stabilizer Standoff Brackets with Silicone Elbows (Sold in Pairs) - Ladder Accessories - Amazon.com

Ladder Stabilizer Standoff Brackets with Silicone Elbows (Sold in Pairs) - Ladder Accessories - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Up to you whether you'd rather go out a window or use the ladder method. Obviously with a "friend" there, the ladder might be a little easier.
We do this daily however so I'm not recommending you do anything you are not comfortable with

Obviously they make different kinds of stands off that will work to keep you off the gutter line, those are the ones we seem to grab from day to day usage. Also should you decide to get the ladder standoff I mention, don't try and save a few bucks by getting the Foam sleeves, get the Silicone ones. The foam ones lasted exactly "one" use. I still have the bare metal part in my garage and eventually will come up with a pool noodle or something to put on it to see if it's still usable at all. If you don't have a ladder suitable, then ya just be stupid careful and go out the window and from the flatter part over to the incline to the chimney.