It's Dead, Jim

[kb2vxa]

Sometimes Untied Parcel Service incompetence pays off. Once upon a time a friend ordered an antenna and after a couple of weeks hadn't received it. He called the seller and explained, having a great reputation to uphold they shipped another, this one arrived in a timely fashion. A month later he found the first one in the bushes, he gave it to me. Can't beat THAT price!

[KG4CGC]

Dead nuts. Dead nuts sucks.

[kb2vxa]

Unless they've reached room temperature, try a defibrillator at max power.

[W3WN]

Replacement aluminum showed up today. That's the good news.

Neighbor stopped by. His insurance? Not doing a thing -- falls within the deductible. The tree trimmer? Says it didn't happen. So, he's willing to pay for the parts... and the boss tells me "absolutely not, you're not taking a penny from them."

Now... who didn't see all of that coming?

[K7SGJ]

Replacement aluminum showed up today. That's the good news.

Neighbor stopped by. His insurance? Not doing a thing -- falls within the deductible. The tree trimmer? Says it didn't happen. So, he's willing to pay for the parts... and the boss tells me "absolutely not, you're not taking a penny from them."

Now... who didn't see all of that coming?

My best advice is, listen to her. You won't be able to fix the antenna with a broken arm and a boot up your ass. Well, maybe, but it would be tough.

[WX7P]

Replacement aluminum showed up today. That's the good news.

Neighbor stopped by. His insurance? Not doing a thing -- falls within the deductible. The tree trimmer? Says it didn't happen. So, he's willing to pay for the parts... and the boss tells me "absolutely not, you're not taking a penny from them."

Now... who didn't see all of that coming?

If it's a third party claim (you making the claim against his insurance) there shouldn't be any deductible. Sounds like there may be a miscommunication there or your neighbor doesn't want to make the claim.

From what you've said, the liability is pretty clear against the tree trimmer. He's the ultimate target. Commercial liability policies DO have a deductible sometimes, so maybe that's what your neighbor is talking about, but a deductible doesn't absolve anyone of responsibility.

[W3WN]

If it's a third party claim (you making the claim against his insurance) there shouldn't be any deductible. Sounds like there may be a miscommunication there or your neighbor doesn't want to make the claim.

From what you've said, the liability is pretty clear against the tree trimmer. He's the ultimate target. Commercial liability policies DO have a deductible sometimes, so maybe that's what your neighbor is talking about, but a deductible doesn't absolve anyone of responsibility.

All true. but the bottom line is that it's more aggravating to fight them over $50 in parts than my time and temper are worth. Which is what someone further up the food chain probably figures.

Now if the entire HF2V had been destroyed, that would be a different issue.

No, one must pick one's battles carefully, and this is one that I can't win; even if I "win" with the insurance company or the tree trimmer, I'll lose on the home front.

[WX7P]

All true. but the bottom line is that it's more aggravating to fight them over $50 in parts than my time and temper are worth. Which is what someone further up the food chain probably figures.

Now if the entire HF2V had been destroyed, that would be a different issue.

No, one must pick one's battles carefully, and this is one that I can't win; even if I "win" with the insurance company or the tree trimmer, I'll lose on the home front.

Oh, I didn't realize the parts were that inexpensive. Yep, I would have done the same thing.

[W3WN]

It was only the top two sections of aluminum tubing that were damaged. Possible only the topmost tube, but a small piece of it is still in the next tube down, and why take a risk?

I could have spent less. For about $20 including shipping, I could have bought the same OD diameter aluminum from DX Engineering, and in 6 foot lengths instead of 4. However, I would have also then had to cut and drill the tubes, and there's no guarantee that the thickness would be the same. Considering what an hour or so of my time is worth, it was worth it just to get the "factory" tubing.

At this point, I'm probably taking the entire HF2V down and putting it (after repairs) back into storage. I had been considering replacing it anyway, with about 40 feet of aluminum mast. Right now, I'm leaning that way... adding in some guy ropes. Also adding in a few 25 foot sections of "top loading" wires as part of the upper guys, as per a suggestion in the HF2 instructions from Don WØDN(SK), the creator of the antennas and the founder of Butternut. It will mean that this antenna will be primarily for 160, with a secondary use on 80/75. But that's OK, I don't need two 40 meter verticals, and the HF6 is working just fine (knock on plastic with woodgrain printing over sawdust and glue)

[kb2vxa]

Picking your battles carefully is spot on. Picturing you trying to work with a boot up your ass is only funny from afar. Get to work on it soon or you'll miss the best weather for an antenna party.