Summary - The Final Tally Icom PW-1 Amp Seems like it might live again. I was able to take the unit completely apart and find a problem. What a challenge! First, in the style of most “no user serviceable parts” consumer electronics mentality, Icom does not show the power supply in the schematic or parts list for the amplifier! It is instead shown as a large cube with no breakdown, this in my factory service manual. I removed about 40 screws, gotta love baggies for keeping them organized, and was finally able to get the power supply cube out. Removed perhaps a dozen more screws and I was inside the power supply. I found two small 4 amp fuses, both of which had been zorched. I quick test showed me that the fused power leads were not shorted, so I made a temp fuse with a few wire strands. The amplifier powered back up, thankfully that was simple. I have the fuses coming from Icom today. Icom Service and Parts could not locate the fuse number, it took great pains to find out and order. I plan on doing extensive testing over the weekend with high hopes of a complete recovery.
UPDATE - Spoke with Icom Tech Support this afternoon, (good folks by the way), they told me that the power supply is made FOR Icom and that they - Icom - do not really have a schematic or spare parts for the unit - only what they can cannibalize out of other failed units.
Here is the clincher - the retail cost of that power supply - just the power supply, not the complete amp - is $3200! Heathtkit HO-10 ScopeFuses in the old type power plug popped, replacing them tonight and keeping my fingers crossed.
Panasonic Cordless Telephone SystemJunk, anyone want for parts?
Linksys Router and Cable ModemJunk, anyone want to dissect?
GFIsReplacement
Light Timer in outbuildingApparently smoked
Cable TV and Data LineThe repair guy, who told me he had a degree in philosophy (you might want to mention that your kids in college!), was great. He found and replaced multiple cable connectors, and then was good enough to call in my new cable modem MAC address and get the system going. I celebrated by watching a rerun of the movie “Bruce Almighty” (what a great movie!), the lightning scenes were especially poignant.
The TreeThe sad part, done. Estimated at 100-125 years old, it’s going away Monday.
I hope to document that on my website, taking down a 100 foot pine tree is no easy matter.
The cost of cut down and removal is $850 from the folks at Asplundh, a nationwide biz.
Insurance Was great. They will not pay for the tree removal as it had not fallen, but will pay for a replacement and repair to my lawn. Anyone care to hazard a guess for the cost of a 100 foot pine?
They will pay for all the electronics and electrical work. And they WILL pay me a “reasonable and customary” rate for parts AND labor to repair my gear. Items not repairable will be reimbursed at replacement cost. I really thought they were most fair and easy to work with. My thanks to the Vermont Mutual, good people.
Lessons LearnedAlways ground your antenna. Despite the strike no more than 50 feet from my antenna, nothing connected to the line was damage. I was most amazed about that.
In the past I've always been very cavalier about operating on the air during a electrical storm, no more.
In the event of a near strike chances are very good that things plugged into utilities will be damaged, electrical, cable and telephone.
Nothing will save your house, or electronics, in the event of a direct strike.
One can only do measures to mitigate near strikes.
Count your blessings. In my case it could have been much worse – someone hurt or killed, fire at the house/barn, vintage electronic stuff zorched, etc.
My landscape crew left only 20 minutes before the strike!
ThanksFinally, many thanks for all those who took the time to write, email, or call with expressions of support.
This is one of those “it will never happen to me” things that did indeed happen. Lesson learned.
-Bruce W1UJR