[MAMS] [Mw] K4TO off 2-10 ghz

[Chuck Smallhouse]

Dave,

Please don't over do and make that 185 foot climb !  There are plenty 
of young men, of high school age and older, that could use the work 
(and money) to could make that climb.  You can guide them from the 
ground with a good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope and a 
couple of HTs or even hands free cell phones.

At our age it's too easy to have something unexpected happen and, at 
that height, even the best paramedics couldn't get you down in 
time.  You're a bit too far away for to be in my microwave range, but 
you have a lot in experience yet to give to the UHF/microwave 
community.  We've lost too many pioneers recently.

GL and stay safe !

Chuck,  W7CS




At 01:44 PM 7/21/2012, Dave Sublette wrote:
>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
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