[K3PZN-List] Radio Truck update

[Keith Krichinsky]

As most of you know by now, the CCARC was granted the donation of a 1986 
Ford Extended Van from my employer, MD Public Television.  This is not just 
any van.  It was extensively used for LIVE productions.  I am currently 
trying to convince my supervisor, and his boss to let us have the van WITH 
the 42' telescoping pneumatic mast. (Hopefully, I'll know before the week is 
out.)

I will be allowed to deliver the truck to the CCARC within the next week or 
so.  We will need permission to store/stage the vehicle somewhere where 
repairs can be performed.  Once it is delivered, I have been instructed to 
remove the tags and return them to MPT.  At that point they will hand over 
the title and we can then transfer ownership of the van to the CCARC.  I 
believe we will need insurance for it at that time.

The truck WILL come with a 4.0 Kw Onan generator, two batteries (a standard 
truck battery and a deep cycle marine battery for techinal equipment 
operations, an AC air compressor, a 120 Volt power inverter, a DC power 
supply for charging the marine battery, plenty of rack and storage space for 
radio equipment, 2 - 3 operating positions, fairly new tires, a couple of 
VHF antennas, two air conditioning units (unfortunately, only one of which 
works) and more.

The truck will need some work to get it to pass inspection such as a new 
water pump and a new heater core.  It will also require a new paint job as 
well as some other cosmetic repairs (the windshield leaks).  We will 
probably have to spent a couple of thousand dollars to referbish the unit.  
Of course the more donated repairs we get, the less our cash outlay.

It will need to be rewired.  I'm sure that some equipment will need to be 
purchased/donated to the club to properly outfiit the vehicle.  The vehicle 
will require lots of work, time and TLC from our club in order to turn it 
into a viable EmComm Response vehicle that can be called upon to service the 
needs of Carroll County AND the surrounding areas.

When we finish refurbishing and outfitting the truck, I think we should have 
a dedication ceremony including some guests such as Tom Abernathy, Michael 
Carr and of course Governor Robert Ehrlich (who gave us his blessing and the 
truck).  Maybe we could shoot for Field Day 2004.....or do you think that 
that is too optomistic?

Comments, thoughts or suggestions, anyone?

Keith Krichinsky, KB3HHK

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