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Commissioners get update on radio tower, microwave links and handheld radios
Summary
County staff said two microwave links were installed, a third microwave will go on a new tower, and SRA removed an old tower last week; officers’ handheld radios were purchased but will be programmed and issued after repeaters and MOU frequency arrangements are finalized.
County staff told commissioners they installed two microwave links (one serving Newton, one in Mayflower) and expect a third microwave to be placed on a new tower to provide countywide radio coverage. Staff said SRA recently took down a tower and that crews will inspect anchor points on the Bleak Wood tower for corrosion.
Officials explained handheld and mobile radios were purchased but must be reprogrammed once the radio-repeater network is online; staff said some fire-department radios already communicate with neighboring jurisdictions and suggested interim steps to issue handhelds on the south end while mutual-aid frequency arrangements with Orange County are finalized.
Commissioners pressed staff on the south-end coverage gap and immediate options to get usable handheld radios to deputies; staff said programming and the Orange County MOU were the remaining tasks and encouraged a short-term solution to improve field connectivity until repeaters are fully operational.
