05/30/09 — Installed coax to top C51XR; installed power and control wires to M2 Orion 2800. Tested rotator- it appears to have survived the lightning strike. Also tested all feedlines, control lines, etc. – all test OK.
05/26/09 — On Tuesday May 26, the station was severely damaged by a lightning strike. Apparently entering via the AC power mains, very little gear that was interconnected survived. As it turns out, another ham ½ mile down the road took a direct hit on his tower, which appears then to have back fed thru his solar power/battery inverter system and then to the power transformer to his home then down the lines toward my home.
05/25/09 — Installed connectors on shack end of hardline. Installed SixPack. Installed terminal strips for control wiring junctions from 4 StackMatches. Installed feedline up tower to middle C-31XR.
05/18/09 — Installed the new StackMatch, made up the control cables for the four StackMatches. Climbed up to the bottom C51XR and installed the feedlines in a temporary fashion. Now need to install connectors on the shack end of the hardline.
05/12/09 to 05/17/09 — Attended CTU and Dayton Hamvention. Acquired a used AL-1500, another used StackMatch, several connectors, some repair parts for 3 Heil headsets, EZNEC 5.0+. Participated in the Kansas City DX clubs CW Pileup event for the first time.