[Ares-races] Finding Funding for Ham Equipment - E-911 Center

[James E Bond]

I am interested in ways to
find funding for emergency
communications equipment in
our new E-911 Center currently
being constructed in our
county. It seems that no
expense is being spared for
this center, including a 300
ft tower designed as a
complete back up to the
trunked 800MHz system.  That
is, except for the RACES
station.

Last year I participated on a
committee to make
recommendations on ham
equipment for the center. The
design of the center does not
allow copper wire to penetrate
into same. We came up with a
suitable design and
recommended they use the
TS-2000 (in duplicate).

Now come to find out they have
not made any allocations
whatsoever in their budget for
ham equipment, despite having
our input. Now come to find
out they plan to use existing
VHF/UHF equipment, how I am
not entirely sure.

I am curious to know if anyone
has had similar issues to
contend with; and if so, and
how the money was raised.  I
have heard of the ARRL giving
grants for such projects, but
I do not know how to approach
this.

Any other suggestions?

Thank you very much.

73,

James E. Bond, K6SPY
k6spy@arrl.net
METERS/ARES/RACES Knox County.
Tennessee
http://www.meters.org