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November 9, 2006
WCARES is on the Move!
This Saturday at 10:30AM we have a small group of people planning on meeting at the Dirlam Rd. repeater site to disassemble and move our equipment from this location. As many of you know we've been having discussions with the tower owner about coming to an acceptable long term agreement for us to stay at that location. As it was obvious to us that we were not going to be able to come to an agreement on terms we have decided that in the best interest of Wood County ARES we are going to take ours and the county's equipment out. Fortunately Steve, N8XSF, has agreed to take advantage of this opportunity to give the equipment a thorough check so we will be temporarily moving the equipment to his location for that purpose. If you'd like to help please contact either Phil, W8PSK or me. We'd love to have you.
Now for the good news. Sheriff Wasylyshyn has been in touch with the Wood County Commissioners and has received verbal approval for us to move to the county's tower on Linwood Rd. in Bowling Green. We are in the process of drawing up a long term lease that is satisfactory to the county and hope to have that executed shortly. Of course though the move will be at some expense. The antenna and feedline will not be salvaged from the current tower so there will be the equipment expense associated with this move plus there will be the added expense of climbing and installation. I suspect that this is where our status as a 501(c)3 organization will come into play. I will be looking to you all for ideas as to how we may raise money for this venture. We can have this discussion at further length at our next monthly meeting but specifically I'm looking for a volunteer for someone to lead this fund raising effort. Of course though any fund raising ideas would be helpful. If you know of a company in the county that offers grant money for this type of a venture please let us know. As I said, all ideas are welcome.
Additionally there are a couple option relative to how we configure our equipment at the new location leveraging what we've learned from the current set up. For example do we use a single feedline and dual band antenna like we're doing today (lowest cost) or go to separate 2 meter and 440 antennas with separate feedlines. There's also the option of using separate antennas with a single feedline using commercial duplexers. We need to pull together a small committee to lead the effort to determine the right direction which will also determine the cost. If you want to participate or lead that effort please contact me or one of the AECs (Craig K8IXL, Phil W8PSK, Paul KG4RWS, Mike KD8BTI or Scott KC8BHV).
This is your organization and your County. Now this is your opportunity to make a difference.
Bob, KG2BC
WCARES EC
Posted by at 6:29 AM