[PVRCNC] Ice Report

[Jim Jordan K4QPL]

Having turned on the computer for the first time in almost five days, and
looked through 85 messages not including spam, it's great to be back to
normal.

CP&L power came on about 5:00 this afternoon (Sunday) after a total of 3
days 18 hours of "Field Day" generator power. That translates into 50+
gallons of gas run through a 4400 watt generator poured in 5 gallons at a
time at all hours of the days and nights obtained by numerous trips to
whatever gas stations were open; one oil change, COUNTLESS trips to the
garage to use the "Sneaker Net" method of power management, flipping
breakers to alternate the power flow to the well water pump, one burner on
the range, the hot water heater and the SubZero freezer, not counting the
trips outside to reset the generator breaker when I got too aggressive on
simultaneous loads.  Also not to mention one trip to Home Depot to buy a
propane space heater and connecting it in place of the useless (for heating
purposes) gas logs in the fireplace.

Trees and tops of trees: Haven't counted--probably 30 plus branches. (5
across power line leaving the transformer on the ground and a couple snapped
poles along the street. It looks like a war zone around here.

Antenna toll: All wire antennas--160/80 V's, 80/40 V's, 40M Wire Yagi
snapped and buried somewhere under branches and trees.
The GOOD NEWS: Tower, Tribander and 40M rotating dipole undamaged.

Cars: Major damage to XYL's Honda Accord. Woke up 6 a.m. Saturday to the
burglar alarm signalling intrusion at rear door and windshield by portion of
pine tree.

Water Garden: Falling branch punched hole reducing water to about 30%.
Hopefully enough for fish to survive.

Bedroom Temps: I think one afternoon they got up to about 50 F. Other living
areas OK after getting propane heat.

Invasions: Daughter and roommate from Durham townhouse trying to study for
first year law exam at Duke tomorrow; (they were able to leave today when
Durham got power) son from his N.Raleigh house which got power Friday.

Power Co. response:  Despite the time and bad rap the utilities have
received, I think CP&L did a great job under the circumstances. They
obviously had to work outward from the cities first and we could see how
their plan was developing as we could see power getting closer every day.
The devastation in our area was enormous, much like Hurricane Fran, and when
the storm crews (mostly out of GA and TN) finally arrived in our small
subdivision early this morning, they worked flat out all day moving trees,
resetting poles, installing transformers, etc.

And you ask why you didn't hear me in 160 and why I didn't check my email
for 4 days???!

Yes, it could have been worse. Probably in a few days I'll figure out how.
;-)

73,

Jim, K4QPL