Hurrican Irma effects

Ernest

As you know Hurricane Irma struck; the Northwestern side of Florida. 
My family and I evacuated by order of the Governor and the County officials. 
Our resident is in Northeastern, Florida on the Atlantic Ocean side.
Upon returning to Amelia Island IOTA: NA-138 (aka Fernandina Beach.) I was surprised to see that I was coming home to a house and not an aquarium.
The effects to our home were minimal. We lost electrical power for a day (as I was told by those that stayed) and no telephone or internet service for a week. 
However, my Hy-Gain HT-18 Hy-Toward was nowhere to be seen, until I walked to the backyard. 
There she was; lying on top of several trees sheared off the mounting insulators posts. 
I thought these insulators would withstand 75 plus mile/hour. However, the island had higher gusts.
Now I am looking forward to upgrade my 6700 and catch up with family and friends.
Ps. yes I took the F-6700 and Maestro to Georgia just in case!

Ed, K0KC

Ernest,

The tower can be replaced...at least you are safe!

Ed, K0KC

Justin W4JTD

Wow glad you and your family are safe! This is very interesting, I have the same antenna. I got it instead of something with a higher wind load because my QTH pretty regularly has wind in the 75-100 mph range. So far (4 years) it has held up well, but my mount looks a little different than the one in your photo. I too have the insulator mounts (essentially plastic) and I wondered how they would hold up, but so far so good. In your pic it looks like the tower itself held up well, maybe just some new insulators and a re-mount? Again, glad you didn’t have any worse damage and your family is safe. Best of luck in your antenna repair, and maybe a good excuse for an upgrade hi hi 73 Justin

Ernest

Thank you Ed and Justin we are safe and sound.
I am a member of NCARES and last week I volunteered to go out and survey some areas of the county for FEMA.  We found many homes nearby that suffer severe flooding's, missing roofs, HV AC power lying in water and close to living quarters. And  elderly persons in need of food, and  generators to run their oxygen machines.

Mark_WS7M

Hi Ernest,

Living in Colorado I have to admit that the devastation seems surreal.  I mean during the time all of you were evacuating and others were struggling we were enjoying 85 degree sunny days.

It was hard to remember that this was going on not only in your state but in other parts of the islands.

After watching the second hurricane roar in my wife and I sought out and donated clothes, food, money.  I think we've spent close to $3000 so far between the donations and the cash.  I am hopeful it is helping.  

This year Uncle Sam will hit our family hard tax wise so I wish I could have done more.

I look forward to hearing you on the air as soon as possible.

Mark - WS7M

Ernest

Thank you Mark

By the way that black wire crossing over the tower was my 20 meter dipole; it wrap it self around the nearby trees and I was not able to disentangle it.