[TowerTalk] Lightning strikes!

[Barry Kutner]

Had a lightning strike last night, and unsure where it came in. No 
sign of entry. Damage includes telphone ans machine, VCR, alarm panel 
(upstairs only), heat pump/AC (upstairs only, thermostat adjacent to 
alarm panel), one garage door opener, and the strange one - 
wallpaper! In the bedroom, near the alarm and thermostat, there 
is a 3x3 inch area of wallpaper that was blown off the wall. The 
wallpaper has a metal foil in it, and I believe that's what carried 
the charge in the bedroom, blowing the alarm panel and thermostat.

I was in the shack at the time (rig off, computer on) and saw a spark 
and heard a bang. XYL was in bedroom and also heard a bang.  Only 
damage in the shack appears to be a non-functional Ameritron RCS-8V 
box that controls my 80 m slopers. All antennas are intact, and rig 
loads up fine (exc. can't check 80 m).

The only thing in the house NOT lightning protected is the phone line 
(soon to be done!) Only thing that smelled burnt was the answering 
machine. Wonder if it came in on the phone line? (nearest pole abt 
800 ft away, from there to house runs underground).

Call in to insurance agent...
73 Barry
--
Barry Kutner, W2UP                            Internet: w2up@itw.com
Newtown, PA                                   Frankford Radio Club

                                           

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