[RFI] Visit from the power company

[Dan Kovatch]

Today the power company pulled up in front of W8CAR with one of their boom trucks and knocked on my door. They informed me they were going to do some maintanence and we would be without power for about 30 minutes. Turns out, as I watched, they were replacing the lightening arrestor. After the boom guy removed the arrestor and put the new one on he stopped and had a discussion with the ground guy. He then began walking up to the house. I went out to meet him as I was curious.

He asked if I'd had any electrical problems lately as the arrestor looks like it had been hit pretty good. He also said there was a hole in the top of the tranformer !!!!!!!!He was surprised that we hadn't had a problem and stated we probably had several hits on that pole or near it to do the damage. They had another crew bringing a new one out and we'd be without power for a while yet.

They unbolted the old one and brought a new BIGGER pole pig and bolted it on. My neighbor and I now have power back!

1) I didn't tell them I owned an Alpha!
2) Bigger transformer-bigger tube--- 8877???
3) They were very courteous, efficient and 'goterdone' in a very short time
4) Has a contest operation ever caused a lightening strike like event?

We have not had any electrical damage here ( that I know of) and I do have computers, radios and 'sensitive' electronics protected by power strip type surge protectors. I guess I was very lucky not to have damage from the strike(s)

FWIW
Dan
W8CAR