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Cooke County approves ham radio group’s use of old jail radio room and county tower for emergency repeater
Summary
The Cooke County Amateur Radio Repeater Association received permission to install a VHF repeater in the old jail radio room and use the county antenna tower at no cost; the group will provide and maintain equipment and the county’s only expected expense is power.
Cooke County commissioners approved a request from the Cooke County Amateur Radio Repeater Association to install and operate a VHF amateur radio repeater using the old jail radio room and an existing 220–250 ft antenna on county property.
Presenters told the court the repeater would support severe-weather storm spotting and auxiliary emergency communications, enabling Skywarn spotters and amateur radio emergency services to relay real-time field reports to the National Weather Service and county emergency operations. The association said it would supply and maintain the equipment and that the county's likely ongoing cost would be limited to the power drawn by the repeater.
Commissioners asked about coordination with nearby jurisdictions and the potential for interference. Presenters said they had spoken with the city that formerly used the tower and that much of the prior equipment was defunct; the association offered to remove or coordinate as needed. Commissioners also sought clarification on equipment ownership; presenters said the radios and racks would remain the association's operating equipment and would be removed if they vacate the site.
Following questions on technical interoperability and safety, the court approved the motion to allow the association to use the antenna and the old radio room and to install the repeater equipment. The vote passed on a motion and second, four to zero.
