A lightning strike the afternoon of Tuesday, July 17, knocked World Radio Network (WRN) station KNOG-FM in Nogales, Ariz., off the air for nearly three days, causing an estimated $10,000 in damages. WRN is one of HCJB Global's cooperating ministries with 23 Spanish- and English-language outlets, most along the U.S.-Mexico border.

"Thankfully, no one was hurt, and there is no visible damage to the building or facilities," said WRN Director Glenn Lafitte. "However, much of the studio equipment, telephones, computers and other equipment were not working properly and may have to be replaced."

KNOG Station Manager Marcos Romero said the lighting struck at about 3 p.m., hitting the antenna tower and sending a power surge through the studio-transmitter link (STL), a cable that enters the studio.

"This damaged two very important pieces of equipment in the studios, the audio processor, two of our station automation systems and the switch that provides Internet distribution for our offices," he explained. "This affected both our broadcasts and our networking. Fortunately, many pieces of equipment were spared from damage."

The KNOG studios not only house the facilities for the local FM station in Nogales, but also serve as a satellite uplink that feeds repeaters in Green Valley, Tucson and Phoenix, Ariz., as well as providing programming to WRN stations in Douglas, Bisbee and Yuma, Ariz.

With help from network engineers Jimmy Stinson and Paul Salzman as well as Western Regional Coordinator Dwight Lind, the station went back on the air this afternoon (Friday, July 20). Chief Financial Officer Dave Mattox is coordinating the insurance claim.

"We still need to replace equipment so our recording studios will be operational again," Romero added. "I would say it will take 20 more hours of work to complete the repairs."