Amateur radio operators looking for new repeater location
BUCYRUS – The closing of the Sunrise Cooperative branch on Ohio 98 near the U.S. 30 bypass a few years ago also meant the disassembling of a local amateur radio group’s repeater station.
Amateur radio operator Ken Cook said the repeaters are imperative to effective communication.
“We need the repeater to be able to communicate more effectively, especially in emergency situations,” Cook said of the electronic device that receives a weak signal then retransmits it at a higher level so the signal can cover longer distances.
“The repeaters can be located on a hilltop, grain bin, tall building, anything high enough to give us a better signal,” Cook said.
Tim Flock, director of the Crawford County Emergency Management Agency, said amateur radio operators are imperative in case of an emergency.
“For example, if there is a tornado and we lose all means of communication, the amateur radio people are the back-up. They will still be able to communicate. We include them in the training exercises we do throughout the year,” said Flock who also is an amateur radio operator.
Cook became interested in amateur radio as a high school student in 1976.
“I really got started in 1991. I had a computer store in town, and Lou Phillips would stop by and talked to me about it. That is when I really got started,” Cook said.
Cook said there are about 10 members in the Bucyrus Amateur Radio Group.
“There are 40 to 55 people throughout the county that are involved in amateur radio,” Cook said.
For several years, Cook and his fellow members of the group have provided communications for the Best “Wurst” Bike ride during the Bratwurst Festival for the Bucyrus Tourism and Visitor’s Bureau.
“They are an important group to have when we have events such as this because their group takes spots along the route and are able to communicate any problems, issues or emergencies in a timely manner,” said Bucyrus Tourism and Visitor’s Bureau Director Barb Glowaski.
Glowaski said the ride covers a 100-mile radius and communications are needed.
Flock said the Crawford County Amateur Radio group in Galion is allowing the Bucyrus group to use its repeater station for this year’s bike ride.
“They let us use it last year for the ride,” Cook said.
Cook and Flock said they have been trying to find a new location for the repeater station.
“The taller the better,” Flock said. “Public safety radio repeaters are at 150 feet, but the repeaters can be placed anywhere from 10 feet to 100 feet, depending.”
Flock said the amateur radio group members would need the freedom to access the repeater when needed.
“That seems to be an issue with things like liability and insurance, but we are working on some possible locations,” Flock said.
Flock said amateur radio is important to the community.
“When set up with good people, it is important for back-up communications,” Flock said.
Cook said if anyone has a location that could be used for the repeater station, they should call him at 419-310-6466.
419-563-9213
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