Sorry to learn of you lost architecture. Maybe you should move to Ohio where we only need to worry about tornadoes, snow, ice and a rather rare earth tremor. I'm happy to know you are safe.

Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director

ARRL Great Lakes Division

Mason, OH 45040; Tel. 513-459-1661

ARRL, The national association for Amateur Radio

Greetings all and Merry Christmas!

There I was checking my antenna system to decipher all the movement I saw during the current storm. It was not cranked down and the gusts were getting severe across the top of the ridge. Maybe the missing eucalyptus trees removed some wind protection, but then the entire tower came crashing down on my shack with me in it! One of the 3 legs snapped just above the base bolts and the 2 others bent right over. What a noise and am I lucky! I'm looking at what's left of the PRO-67B right outside my hf operating position, 5 feet away from me. Only the top most vertical hit the roof, but did not penetrate it. I'm still a little shaky. The US Tower freestanding tower had been up for almost 17 years.

I hope all of you and your loved ones are well and having a wonderful holiday. Be safe!

K6JAT is now off the air. Back to the drawing board. . . . 73, Jim K6JAT