Michigan radio ham donates tower to local police

The Milan News-Leader in Saline, Michigan reports that radio ham Don Churchill, WD8DTL, has donated his 64-foot high amateur radio tower to the city's Police Department.

Police Chief Jeff Lewis said the new tower means better
communications between dispatch and his officers on the street, and will double the radio area covered. The tower will also will bring better coverage for the Milan Area Fire Department.

For Churchill, the donation signals the end of what was an intense hobby for him in the 1970s.

With the help of the Milan Department of Public Works and the Federal Corrections Institution prison crew, the tower was disassembled and cut off its concrete base in Churchill's
yard. It was then transported to its new location.
The re-installation was done with the help of Milan Area firefighter Dan Carpus, who works for the Michigan 800 MHz Communications system.

The tower donation came as a result of a chance conversation between Churchill's daughter, Martha, and Mike Armitage, who is Milan Police Department reserve dispatcher.

Chief Lewis offered a thank you to WD8DTL on behalf of the Milan Police Department and the city.

Source: AR Newsline, Milan News-Leader, eHam

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