On Wednesday evening, June 14 the WRGY transmitter site atop Saddleback sustained a direct lightning strike. WRGY shares the communications building with Saddleback and the lightning strike did extensive damage to the internet and power infrastructure, and damaged WRGY’s transmitter, studio linkage and processing equipment. WRGY is still assessing the damage and has removed all of its equipment for testing and possible repair. The station does have a backup transmitter which will be installed as soon as electrical power and the internet are restored. The primary transmitter will be sent to the factory for repair while a few other pieces of equipment will need to be replaced. WRGY hopes to be back on the air as soon as possible. In the meantime, WRGY continues to be available through its website www.wrgy.org. Unfortunately, direct lightning strikes are an inherent risk with radio transmission facilities and while lightning mitigation equipment was in place, direct lightning strikes can overwhelm these protective measures and cause extensive damage.
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