[ARRL-OK] THE SALVATION ARMY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTER - GRAND OPENING

[arrl-ok@mailman.qth.net]

Attention: Assignment Editor
04 December 4, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       

Contact:          Lanetha Smith                          

Arkansas/Oklahoma Divisional Director Marketing & Public Relations            
   

Office: (405) 254-1156                            

Cell:    (405) 650-4631    

Fax:    (405) 254-1000                      

The Salvation Army and the Oklahoma City Autopatch Association (OCAPA)
Will Host the Grand Re-Opening of The Salvation Army's New Emergency
Communication Center

The Salvation Army, in cooperation with OCAPA, will host The
Salvation Army Emergency Communication Center's grand opening on
Saturday, December 14, 2002, at 8:30 am. The Salvation Army Citadel
located at 2808 SE 44th Street in Oklahoma City will be the new home to
The Salvation Army's Emergency Communications Center and the OCAPA
Amateur Radio Club.  Mr. Frank McCollum, station trustee, will hold the
first Salvation Army net from the new facility at 9 am. Station
operators will begin a listening watch prior to the net.  

McCollum, call letters N5FM, was the hinchpin to establish and develop
the first radio station in 1986, at The Salvation Army's
Arkansas/Oklahoma Divisional Headquarters at 5101 N. Pennsylvania, where
it remained until two years ago. 

"McCollum, the station trustee, will be honored at the dedication
service for his efforts at ensuring that amateur operators and the
Salvation Army continue to thrive together. The OCAPA will continue
McCollum's legacy that is a vital service to The Salvation Army and the
community in times of crisis," said Mark Hamblin, station manager. 

***more***

The new station will allow multiple HF, both voice and digital, and
VHF/UHF stations to operate simultaneously. The VHF/UHF portion of the
station is capable of simplex operation throughout the central portion
of the state. The station will have a UHF repeater and there are plans
for an IRLP connection.  The station is also APRS/packet capable. The
station is capable of simultaneously operating three HF and 5 VHF
(including APRS) stations.

The Salvation Army Emergency Communication Center was completed at a
cost of just over $55,000 for the facility and the tower.  The Salvation
Army, OCAPA and its members, as well as private donors sponsored the
antennas coax cable and ancillary equipment.

"The original tower and antenna will remain at The Salvation Army
Headquarters, which will facilitate communications to Divisional
Headquarters. It will also serve as a back up, in case of an antenna
failure, during a disaster at the new station," said Alton Gardner, The
Salvation Army Disaster Services Coordinator.

**** end ****

NOT FOR PRINT:

Alton Gardner and Mark Hamblin are available for interview by contacting
Lanetha Smith at (405) 254-1156.




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