[TowerTalk] WSJ: Home copper thefts rise

Thu Sep 7 22:04:40 EDT 2006

I just had a storage shed at my home broken into. All my many years' collection of heliax, coax, wire for radials, etc. was stolen - probably about $1000 worth. They left my nice expensive mountain bike, tools, etc. - they just wanted the copper. Too bad the metal recycler places don't seem to ask anyone for ID, they just want the copper, too.

LJ

-----Original Message-----
>From: "Rob Atkinson, K5UJ" <k5uj at hotmail.com>
>Sent: Sep 6, 2006 9:24 AM
>To: towertalk at contesting.com
>Subject: [TowerTalk] WSJ: Home copper thefts rise
>
>Today's Wall St. Jour. on p. D1 reports that the record high scrap copper 
>price is causing a wave of copper thefts from homes across the U.S.   Most 
>of the thefts involve ravaging outdoor central air conditioners to get the 
>tubing and compressor, which can fetch a nice amount of money for a few 
>minutes of work.  These thefts are taking place, not only at unoccupied 
>homes but even when the homeowners are there.   Homes with exposed crawl 
>spaces holding copper water pipe are at risk.   Theives are crawling under 
>and hacking out the pipe when homeowners are away, even for just a few 
>hours, doing thousands of dollars of damage to air conditioning and 
>plumbing.   homeowners are adivsed to put locked covers over their air 
>conditioners and enclose crawl spaces.  Hams:  Keep an eye on your 
>copper--strap, feedline, radials.  other metals are reported as high scrap 
>value as well such as steel and aluminum.
>
>rob / k5uj
>
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