Recently the Vilas County Amateur Radio Club activated their first radio repeater using tower space provided by Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hospital.
Hospital spokesperson Mark Dascalos says the hospital was glad to help the ham operators...
"....here in the Northwoods we have difficulty with cell signals and probably equal-wise with radio signals and it was an opportunity to use our tall antenna at the hospital to install a repeater that would enhance(the club's) abilities in a ham radio aspect to be able to communicate with other members...."
Dascalos says during times of natural disasters, ham radio often is still operating when other signals are inoperable.
Dascalos says club members intend to use the expanded signal to provide communication support for bike tours, races and other community events along with emergency communications. Hams are licensed by the FCC and are well-known for helping government and non-government entities in a time of need.
Dascalos says the club will be able to expand it's coverage to help out during bicycle tours, races and other community events....
"....so when they have people on the trail, they have people who are gracious enough to come out and be on these trails to watch for trouble or to signal issues that are on the trail to help either folks who organize the event or help emergency personnel get somewhere where someone has unfortunately been harmed or injured...."
The hospital is not charging the club for using the hospital's antenna.
