UPDATED: The first photo shows the KY unit deployed in Houma, Louisiana in response to Hurricane Ida in 2021.
The Kentucky DR communications team started with an empty
box trailer. The unit has rolled on every callout since 1996.
As of 6-20-06,
Kentucky's communication unit K4KBC is in the final stages of modifications to
enhance and improve service ability. The unit is now in the shop having roof
top racks installed to house ladders and an Aluma Tower that can be pulled
vertical once on site.
With careful
measurements, we've prepared a 5 cable color coded coaxial harness that quickly
attaches to the respective antenna and to the tower before erection. We've constructed
and installed a 7 connection thru/wall coaxial panel at the roofline on the rear
side of the trailer near the erected tower. The coax fittings are attached to
the appropriate terminal. The guy ropes are attached to the tower top and we're
ready to go vertical.
We had some very good basic gear for 151 MHz, 47.42 and the
amateur bands. Problem was it took a day to get it out of the boxes, connect it
all up and get operational when deployed.
Inside the trailer, all of the communication gear is in
place, strapped down to the equipment shelf. The power lines are connected to
the appropriate power strip and the coax is already connected to the
appropriate color coded terminal on the inside of the panel. So....once the
tower goes up, come into the trailer turn on the power supply and you’re ready
to go.
The trailer has always had a 110 panel and a few outlets. We
installed a couple of the commercial multi-plug strips where they would be
accessible.
View looking toward the rear of the trailer.
View of the new ladder racks. Wanted to make sure that they
would hold a good load. They are 2 inch square, 1/4 wall aluminum tubing. They
are bolted through the side wall, and the vertical metal tubing structure of
the trailer.
A Tarheel Screwdriver antenna. Finished the installation
today. The controller, mounted on the inside wall at the operator station,
works fine. Made a contact today on 20 meters from inside the barn where I've
been working on the unit. I'm going to
get one of the little plug in modules for the ICOM 706 that lets you tune on
low power and use the SWR metering in the rig to make sure we are flat. Can
also use the SWR meter in the tuner.
This photo shows the battery installation for the emergency
12 volt system. A trickle charger
mounted inside connects to this battery. (A deep cycle one). The voltage is connected to the 12 V power
strip behind the equipment shelf. A
switch connects either the 12 V power supply to the power strip or the battery.
Plan to put a 12 volt light over the White Hat's desk, but haven't done that
yet.
This photo shows a new set of portable steps that we built.
It’s a pretty good step to the ground without them.
One of our goals, for safety if nothing else, was to arrange
the trailer contents so there would be a clear path through the trailer with
two exits. I've labeled the left rear
(standing behind the trailer) door as an EXIT, placed an handle on it on the
inside.
Have also attached a spring (which can be disconnected when
you're wanting to move things in and out) to keep it closed. Have installed a
foot bolt on the other rear door. When operating. The tower will be sitting
vertically in front of that door so we don't want any collisions.
7-14-06 - Just finished the tower job and wanted to see if
it would work. It does....and well. The
tower rolls to the rear of the trailer on a dolly within the rails. Latches in
place, pivots, and you crank it up. Takes about 5 minutes.
We've built this little display and are making hamfests
around the state. It is interesting how
many Baptist hams don't know that there is a disaster relief program let alone
a communication subset. Prior to our efforts we had fewer than 10 active. Now
we are nearing 30.
Thanks Tom for sharing the photos & info. You guys have
reduced setup time significantly.
