Grant Date: August 2021
Amount: $40,600

The mission of the Lee County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (Lee County ARES or LeeCARES) is to provide emergency radio communications to public safety organizations in the event normal communications fail or are inadequate. “Put simply, when ‘comms’ go down, we step up!”

Lee County ARES had previously been pledged a donation of a van with a 60’ mast by a local internet provider to use as an Emergency Communication vehicle. The grant funds from ARDC will be used to outfit the van and a trailer with a total of four workstations. Each workstation will consist of a dual band radio, power supply, headset, laptop, and monitor. One station will have HF/VHF/UHF capabilities and all four of the stations will have Winlink and digital mode capabilities.

They will use the van during emergencies to assist communities and First Responders with communications when regular communications fail or become inadequate in natural or man-made disasters. When not in use for emergencies or exercises, they will use the van for public outreach and events, including taking it to schools for educational purposes.

Learn more: LeeCARES.org.

Update

The Lee County ARES Emergency Communications Vehicle project has continued to make steady progress, with several major milestones achieved along the way. One of the early efforts focused on improving the mast system on the van. The original mast was modified to enhance the vehicle’s stability while preserving its operational capability. Work also began on installing a second telescopic mast and additional antennas on both the van and trailer. During this period, the van required mechanical repairs, which are scheduled to ensure it is fully operational for future deployments.

A major step forward was the purchase of a new emergency communications (Emcomm) trailer, measuring 8 feet long by 7.5 feet wide. The trailer is fully equipped with air conditioning, interior lighting, and 50-amp electrical service, providing a comfortable and capable operating environment. Radio equipment, computers, and supporting systems were installed to maximize operational capacity, while custom-built desks and shelving created a fully functional, self-contained emergency communications workspace. The trailer successfully passed NVIS testing, demonstrating reliable local communications throughout Lee County and nearby areas, and was deployed for Winter Field Day in January 2023.

Winter Field Day marked an important milestone for the mobile emergency communications project. Lee County ARES and Williamson County ARES partnered at Wilson H. Fox Park on Granger Lake in Williamson County to coordinate field operations and evaluate regional communications capabilities. The Emcomm trailer performed exceptionally well, with the push-up mast, multiple antennas, Winlink system, and AREDN mesh network all operating successfully. Numerous HF contacts were completed across multiple states, validating the trailer’s capabilities in a realistic operating environment. The exercise also identified several opportunities for refinement, including reducing generator interference through improved grounding, optimizing antenna placement, and streamlining lightning safety procedures. Overall, the event provided valuable operational experience and confirmed the effectiveness of the system while helping guide future enhancements.