[CQ-Contest] update from NQ4I ice storm 2014

[Wayne Kline]

Hi Rick
 
 WOW   that's heartbreaking... not wanting a can you top this but  the Friday B-4 the ARRL CW test in 1997 We had an ice storm hit EPA.
As I was driving home from a grub run as I climbed the mountain  the ice on the trees was obvious   turning into the home the antennas were  like U bolts
3 element 40.  5/5/5  20's  5/5/5 15 and 5/5 tens were pointing to the ground ,, then night fall and the backside of the storm ( WIND gusty WIND)
The  night was filled with clanging sounds like wind chimes.. at Day break   the noise was obvious, it was the remints of the boom hanging from there philly stran truss supports.. clanging  into the towers  the three stingers of the 80 meter for sq were snapped off  and on totally collapsed  and all wires and beverages on the ground...
 
  Let's hope you experience is not a total  loss  and the temp get lower meaning less I ice  more snow 
 
Wayne W3EA 

 
> Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 17:02:38 -0500
> From: nq4i at contesting.com
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com; secc at contesting.com
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] update from NQ4I ice storm 2014
> 
> Hi all...well the antennas are starting to give up...so far I have lost the
> top 40m KLM 4 el at 155 ft that is used for the MULT station...it is
> dangling from the top of the tower..next to go will be the 3 el Telrex 40m
> RUN top antenna...also ready to fold up is the monster 8 el homebrew 8 el
> 20m on 89 ft boom...not looking good either is the top 8 el 15m RUN antenna
> at 155 ft...I might very well lose the rest of the antennas tonight...it is
> raining and ice pellets and the loads keep increasing on the antennas...we
> had planed to operate in the ARRL CW this coming weekend...not sure if
> there will be any antennas left...tomorrow morning will end the storm
> around 11 am..temps are forecast to rise to 34 degrees F and maybe some
> melting will tke place.
> 
> de Rick NQ4I
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