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State-backed microwave link could boost Daniels County 911; county may repurpose city tower
Summary
A state representative told Daniels County officials a decommissioned 100-foot tower might be available for repurposing to host a microwave path that would connect county consoles to the state core; state equipment may be provided if the county supplies a pad and access, with technical details expected by the Sept. 16 follow-up meeting.
Brian, who has been working with state dispatch staff on a microwave project to connect Daniels County consoles to the state core, said the state is conducting a path study and a decommissioned tower across from the Billings 911 center might be obtainable for low cost.
Brian said the county likely needs only 50–60 feet of height for the microwave path and that repurposing an existing self‑supporting tower would lower costs. He described a typical pad footprint of roughly 6-by-6 feet for the tower base and said the state might supply communication equipment if the county can provide space, a pad and reasonable access. "If we can get the tower for next to nothing and ... we can get somebody up there to pour a pad ... we'd have that thing stood up," Brian said.
He told commissioners he expected the state to clarify which portions of work and equipment the state would cover by the county's next meeting on Sept. 16 and that the county may need to provide concrete work or lifting equipment to place top sections. Commissioners indicated local crews could likely perform concrete work after the county receives final specifications.
Next steps: Brian said he would provide the path-study details and cost/allocation clarifications before the next scheduled meeting so the board can decide whether to accept the tower and proceed with site preparations.
