Homeland security grant funds ARES trailer

The Aiken County, South Carolina, Office of Emergency Management has received a $100,000 grant to fund a new Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) trailer.

The US Department of Homeland Security grant was distributed via the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division's Office of Homeland Security Grants Administration. The project will provide a state-of-the-art
communications vehicle for ARES members to assist served agencies. ARRL South Carolina Section Manager Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, says the project was the brainchild of several radio amateurs, including ARRL members and Section leadership.

"Bob Besley, K4NJN, wrote the grant after participating in a statewide homeland security drill in August 2004 and seeing a need for amateurs to have equipment that becomes useful in the event of a large-scale disaster," he said. "This trailer is exclusively for Amateur Radio."

The grant will enable the purchase of a new 28-foot air-conditioned communications trailer loaded with HF, VHF and UHF radio gear as well as packet capability, GPS, wireless Internet, live National Weather Service reports, satellite TV and more. Boehner and Besley believe the grant marks the first time the Department of Homeland Security has provided funding of this magnitude for an Amateur Radio communications facility.

"A portable 2-meter repeater has been secured and will be available to provide on-scene communications as needed," Boehner said. In addition, the vehicle will be equipped with Winlink 2000 to enable Internet and e-mail via HF. The State Emergency Operations Center also will have Winlink 2000 capability.

Complementing the onboard TV facilities will be an innovative 3x4-foot two-way projection screen at the rear of the vehicle. It will not only be viewable inside from the six-person conference table but from outside to aid in group briefings and video presentations. Separate 17-inch LCD screens throughout the unit will have VCR/DVD capability.

Powering the unit will be a 10 kW generator with an onboard diesel tank to allow continuous operation for more than 24 hours before refueling. A 30-foot mast controllable from inside the trailer will provide antenna support.

Satellite communication, including high-speed Internet connections, will be via an automatic roof-mounted dish antenna. A local area computer network and router will complement several laptops at work stations.

While the trailer will primarily be deployed within Aiken County, emergency officials in neighboring counties may request its use as needed. "It is intended to be a resource for the South Carolina Section, upon request of the respective county or state Emergency Management Department and the District Emergency Coordinator in that area," Boehner said.

The trailer is now on order and set for delivery in early July, although Boehner says it could arrive in time for ARRL Field Day June 25-26. Local radio amateurs plan to cover the costs of the van's upkeep through swapfests and other fundraisers.

Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The American Radio Relay League

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