[MAMS] K4TO off 2-10 ghz

[Dave Sublette]

Due to several close lightning strikes two nights ago, I am off of the 
air on 2304 through 10368 Mhz.  The damage is two-fold (and maybe more I 
haven't found yet).  1) The PTT line to the top of the tower is 
shorted.  and 2) The potentiometer on my PST 71D rotator is shot.

All things considered I feel really good about a lot of things. First, I 
don't think the damage is too severe.  I had all cables, power and 
ground at the shack disconnected as I always do, else the lightning 
might have really hit directly and taken everything. Second, I have just 
finished an exhilarating afternoon working at 50 feet.  I removed the 
PST-71D and it is now in the shop, ready to get a new pot. I neglected 
to look up the weight of the unit before climbing and it was so heavy 
(77lbs!) I almost couldn't get it down (gracefully) after getting it 
loose from the tower.

This was my first major climb in just over a year. Last year at this 
time I just got out of ICU where I was for three weeks, unconscious. The 
first week they didn't give me any chance of survival. Five weeks after 
I went in, I walked out and started rehab.  I am just now really getting 
back close to where I was.  I had so much fun this afternoon I was 
almost giddy.

I am thankful for the Grace of God that allowed and enabled me to 
recover. I don't take things for granted much anymore these days.


So ....  I will keep you all posted on progress. After getting the 
rotator fixed and back up, I have to climb to 185 feet, take down the 55 
pound four band microwave box, repair it and put it back up. I'll shoot 
for the September contest.

Thanks for listening.

Dave, K4TO