[TenTec] tapping collective wisdom of Omni 6 owners

[Carl Moreschi]

That's exactly why I disconnect all my equipment from ALL outside 
connections including ground, antennas, power, and phone lines, by 
several feet when not in use.  Ground rods can't stop ground from being 
elevated.  Earth ground itself is a big resistor.

Carl Moreschi N4PY
121 Little Bell Dr.
Hays, NC 28635
www.n4py.com

On 9/7/2012 2:10 PM, Carl Gansen wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> I recently lost a Triton II, Triton IV, RX320, Ten Tec Omni 6 (plus
> via opt. 3), 962 power supply  and a Hercules II/9420 power supply
> to a lightning strike.  All antennas were disconnected.  All circuit
> breakers for the sub-panel that feeds my station were off.  That is
> the way I leave my station when I QRT.  The point of entry was where
> an antenna cable blew through to an outdoor ground rod (1 of 5)
> and elevated my ground.  I have sheet aluminum behind the sheet-rock
> with a copper bar bonded through the sheet rock along the
> length of my three benches.  The copper bar/aluminum sheet are
> electrically attached at multiple points and my ground wire is
> at most, 18 inches long to each of the ground rods along the house
> just outside my radio room.  I felt I was reasonably prepared.
>
> The TTO6+, even after 15 years, was still a delight to use.  I
> believed that I would never be in the market for a newer radio.  I am
> considering buying a used one but the fact that some parts are getting
> scarce suggests it may be time to move on.
>
> Hear is the premise of my inquiry:
> I would like to hear from former TTO6+ owners that have moved on to
> Eagles, Omni VII, Orions or Orion IIs.  What do you like?
> What do you dislike? Do you miss anything about the TTO6 (performance,
> ergonomics, whatever...)?  Would you do it again?
>
> On a side note, I am really stuck on what to do with replacing the
> Hercules II.  It took the brunt of the hit being closest to the
> unfortunate ground rod.    The rubber feet got blown off of the 9420
> and the screws were welded into the metal shelf that the power
> supply sat on.   The ground strap between the Hercules II and the
> copper bar left a mark on the back of the Hercules II that looks
> like somebody attempted ot do a bit of arc welding.  The 500 watt
> level fills my wants/needs adequately.  About the only time I use
> tha eamp is when I am net control for a local 75M traffic net (which
> is about the sum total of my phone use).  As good
> as the Centurion is,  I do not need the extra power.  I liked the
> instant on, no-tune, auto band-switching and QSK of the Hercules II
> in concert with the TTO6+.  That was perfect for me.  Any thoughts on
> this topic would also be appreciated.
>
> --
> Carl R. Gansen WB0CFF
> 9300 W225th Street
> Belle Plaine, Mn 56011-4206
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