[600MRG] WD2XSH/20

[Rudy Severns]

Well we got pounded with our own ice storm the past few days.  We don't see 
this kind of stuff very often and the latest was the worst on record.  We 
were without power for 20+ hours which was a pain.  WE had enough generator 
power to keep the freezers and refrigerators going but nowhere what was 
needed to heat the house.  Being in the NW where power is comparatively 
cheap (lots of hydro) we have an all electric house.  Not so good when the 
power fails however.  The XYL is now agitating for a nice big diesel 
generator like the one we had at the last QTH which could run the entire 
house indefinitely when the power failed.  I can't whine too much,  I know 
you guys back east get this nonsense regularly.

Despite heavy icing none of the antenna wires broke which is a miracle 
considering I have 1600' of #14 aluminum wire up in the air.  However, the 
ice load was great enough, pulling more or less horizontally at the top of 
each pole, that one of the poles tipped a bit.  The ground at the base was 
pretty soft and the base of the pole actually moved a little leaving the 
pole with a tilt.  I'll have to fix that but it'll be a while.  Need for all 
the ice to melt and the weather to warm up.  In any case the antenna is 
detuned now so I'll be QRT until I get this fixed.  Still able to listen 
however, on the rx array and will be reporting most evenings.

73, Rudy