[TowerTalk] from W0RTT...

[Keith Dutson]

WOW!  This is about as bad as it gets with lightning.  I have heard and read
that lightning will not explode concrete.  I hope Pete got some photos of
the damage and will post them.  I can host them on my site if needed.

A strike hit my shack June 22.  The Icom 775DSP and Alpha 87A are still
being repaired from that one.

Keith NM5G


-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of n0hf at comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 5:08 PM
To: cq-contest at contesting.com
Cc: RogueCPA at aol.com; AL7H at aol.com; gnoyes at yahoo.com;
towertalk at contesting.com; n4vi at arrl.net; k6rf at aol.com; k9uiy at aol.com;
w1yl at tampabay.rr.com; gschultz at ball.com; Larsusa at aol.com; randy at rkmassoc.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] from W0RTT...

Pete, W0RTT asked that I pass this news along, basically he's unable to use
email from his home QTH (read on) and those who would like to contact him
please use his work email address:  Peter.Grillo at anheuser-busch.com for now.
'73 Dan N0HF
Boulder, CO

>Hi Dan -

>I have some bad news.  Precisely at 12:47 PM on Sunday, August 22nd (I 
>>know the time because my Geochron is still showing that time), our 
>house was struck by lightning.  Miraculously, none of the 8 people at 
>the house were hurt.  The bolt hit our metal roof and found its way to 
>the phone system and power equipment ground throughout the house.  We 
>never lost primary power, but the surge was >so huge that it wiped out 
>all connected electronic equipment (FT-1000D, Cisco >1700 Router, UPS 
>system, Compaq computer system, stereo system, TV and >probably other 
>things yet to be identified).  The control wiring from my house to the 
>top of the hill exploded and was fried (eighteen #14 stranded wires in 
>PVC conduit, 300' long).  The concrete base for the 50' tower, yet to 
>be completed, was >blown apart.  The tower is still standing, but I 
>would not climb it today!  I have two power distribution panels.  One panel
that services the older part of the house had 6 popped breakers.  The 2nd
panel for the addition had 2 popped >breakers.
>As a result, all internal house wiring is suspect for fire hazard.

>I will be unable to send e-mail from my home for several weeks until 
>insurance has settled my claim.  You happen to be the only radio 
>contact I have in my >work address book!  Can you pass this information 
>along to CQcontest reflector, tower-talk reflector, and our K0RF 
>friends?  Also, Vic K9UIY at AOL.com and >Ellen W1YL (I don't remember her
e-mail address).

>Chuck needs to know I'll likely be available for CQWW CW this year, but 
>now >I'm desperate to find a station for CW SS.

>73 for now,
>Pete
>W0RTT
_______________________________________________

See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

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