“Investigators determined that Ambrose Lloyd “Tripp” Owens was attempting to raise a temporary amateur radio antenna in the Chicora Cemetery and the mast of the antenna accidentally came in contact with a Duke Progress Energy power line.”
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That’s sad. My condolences to his family and friends.
Our local power supply people used to run a “look up and live” campaign for tradies with Aluminium ladders.
When on portable activation I check for power lines, usually thinking interference source, and trees with foliage above where I want to raise the mast, signal eaters.
But when others are engaging you in conversation it’s easy to omit your usual look up behaviour.
Take care boys and girls.
73
Ron
VK3AFW
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It reminds me about OMFF-0149 - it is very hard to find a place which is not close to high voltage (I think 110 kV) power line there. And although the cables are 40+ m above you, it was reported doing all kinds of nasty things thanks to gradient of the field.
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I was saddened to hear that Tripp, N4NTO had met with such a tragic and horrible accident. My sincerest and heart felt condolences to his family. He was a super CW operator and I had logged him many times from various WWFF parks.
W6LEN / Jess
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Overhead long distance power transmission lines are not something I’d want to set up an antenna anywhere near. I remember going on a walk (part of the London Loop south of Orpington) where the path went under a major transmission line. The air was crackling…
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Sad news and a sad end for a keen ham.
It is a puzzle to me that a cemetery is within a pota park.
Update: I now understand that the cemetery is not included in the pota park and in fact the antenna pole was located nearby the cemetery where power lines cut across a grassed area.
A tragic end.
73 Andrew VK1DA/VK2DA
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Very bad for reception, if nothing else. A timely reminder for those of us who use carbon poles to be extra vigilant.
73 de OE6FEG
Matt
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It doesn’t even need to be a carbon pole if there’s an antenna wire attached. Even if the wire’s insulated it may not be up to dealing with 11 kV. 
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May God receive him. Rest in peace.
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