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Consultants tell Curry County aging radio towers need phased repairs; microwave licenses found lapsed
Summary
At a county workshop, Communications Northwest and Day Wireless presented an assessment that recommended replacing RF combiners, antennas and coaxial cable as first priorities, cited a $372,000 estimate for that phase, and warned that the county's microwave licenses had expired and require immediate attention.
Consultants at a Curry County workshop told county leaders that the county's radio towers and related equipment are degraded and in need of phased upgrades to protect first-responder communications.
A Communications Northwest representative who briefed the board said the most urgent technical problems are aging RF combiners, 20+-year-old antennas and deteriorated coaxial cable. The presenter said those components are causing interference and coverage gaps and recommended replacing combiners, antennas and coax as the first step in a multi-year program. "Replacing the old combining system, replacement of the antennas and replacement of the coaxial cable" would provide a baseline for future upgrades, the consultant said.
Why it matters: County officials said the systems support simulcast public-safety radio channels used by first responders. Commissioner Lynn Cocker told attendees that Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley had included a $1.75 million request for tower improvements in the current federal appropriations bill, which the county hopes would fund longer-term work beyond immediate repairs.
The consultant reported other hardware problems, including DC power-supply failures and GPS/timing-unit issues that degrade simulcast operation. The presenter emphasized that good DC power supplies and battery backups are essential for site reliability and firefighter and law-enforcement communications.
Regulatory concern: The consultant also said the county's microwave licenses had lapsed and described the situation as a serious compliance risk. "All of the licenses for the current microwave network expired and in a sense been canceled," the consultant said, adding that "Curry County's network is operating unlicensed and in violation of FCC." The presenter called this a "huge red flag" and urged immediate remediation to avoid fines or interruption of service.
Cost and ownership: When asked for a price for the first-priority scope (combiners, coax and antenna work), Chad Miller of Communications Northwest estimated $372,000 for that phase. The consultant team also clarified ownership: the microwave network was verified as county-owned, while certain power-supply systems are part of an intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation, which the consultants said makes ODOT responsible for those power-supply repairs.
Process and next steps: Consultants advised a phased, engineering-driven approach rather than like-for-like replacements, using modern coverage modeling to optimize antenna selection and alignment. Chad Miller said the firm compiled engineering data and offered to send the detailed reports and files to county staff for distribution and follow-up.
County officials at the workshop did not vote or take formal action. Staff and consultants are expected to exchange the engineers' data and use it to scope subsequent phases and funding plans.
