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Commissioners accept donated 35-foot radio tower for county Emergency Operations Center
Summary
Roosevelt County commissioners unanimously approved accepting a donated 35-foot radio tower and associated equipment from the Greyhound Amateur Radio Club for the Bonham House Emergency Operations Center; the club will handle installation and the county’s only anticipated expense is concrete.
Roosevelt County commissioners voted unanimously to accept a donated 35-foot radio tower and associated communications equipment from the Greyhound Amateur Radio Club for the Bonham House Emergency Operations Center.
Emergency manager Montiel told the board the donation is "one of the final steps of getting our communications up and running" at the EOC and asked for approval to accept the tower and equipment. He said the amateur radio club will perform the installation and that the county’s anticipated cost would be concrete for the foundation.
Club representative Bagwell described the engineering and installation needs, saying the foundation would be "24 by 24 by 4 feet deep" and that the installation requires roughly one cubic yard of concrete. He said the tower is engineered for about 100-mph wind tolerance and that the club will provide the rebar, digging and much of the labor and materials.
Commissioners asked whether permits, licenses or an engineer would be required and whether county equipment and personnel could communicate with the system. Bagwell and Montiel said the club has tested repeaters and that the installation would expand ham-radio and HF capability for emergency channels; Montiel said the EOC would operate the equipment and that licensed amateur operators would run it during activations.
County counsel raised access and control questions; Montiel said the EOC would retain ongoing access and operation authority and that the county would train or license personnel as needed. The board approved the donation by motion.
Next steps: staff will coordinate any necessary permitting and the concrete foundation; Montiel said the club will proceed with installation and will work with the city and state as needed for compliance.
