[aprssig] Help needed in Florida

[WB4GQK at aol.com]

Chris, KB8UIH,  posted this message:

>Lately I haven't seen activity so many of the stations
>may be down or ruined?  Maybe others can update this
>situation.

My APRS station was knocked out when Charley came thru almost a month ago. In 
the process of lowering and securing our tower, my XYL, N4TFP, and I were 
caught in a sudden and violent downpour. We rushed inside and within minutes the 
tower was on the ground. Two sections were destroyed.

I immediately ordered two new sections from Texas Towers, however due to all 
the emergency relief trucks pouring into the state and very limited diesel 
fuel, delivery was delayed until just 3 days prior to Frances arriving on the 
scene! We decided it would be far better to just leave everything on the ground 
rather than erect it. (the good part is I didn't have to mow the back yard). We 
did prepare all the sections for raising. I even purchased new coax cables, 
since the old ones had been up about 8 years.

Frances arrived late Saturday and we lost power and phone service. Power was 
restored Monday about 1100. Phones were restored by Thursday morning. In the 
meantime the XYL and I debated should we finish assembly of the tower with IVAN 
on the prowl and possibly coming thru the area? We decided again to leave it 
all on the ground until IVAN passes. (I think my wife is suspicious that I am 
hedging because I don't want to mow the back yard!)

Seriously as soon as IVAN is clear we will have the tower up and hopefully be 
back on APRS maybe as soon as next Wed.

73 de Jim wb4gqk