IFERN UPGRADE Status as of 7/9/07 at 1200

All 4 receivers are up and running (Channahon, Grundy, Plainfield, Wilmington). The comparator is allowing great area-wide reception at WESCOM/Division 15.

The console can transmit on either the Plainfield or Wilmington transmitters.

The console can put out the MABAS paging tones on either base.

We have given WESCOM/Division-15 Telecommunicators orientation on the system and have participated in testing with various WESCOM fire agencies. We need to test with Grundy County area FD’s to ensure the Wilmington IFERN base is performing as expected. This is a mobile-designed system, not portable-designed. It was suggested early on for mobiles (especially in the Grundy County area) to use gain antennas.

For the time being, we will be using the Wilmington IFERN transmitter as the primary base, and using the Plainfield base as a backup.

Reminder: The receivers are set up for PL tone of 210.7Hz per the 2006 MABAS guideline. See www.MABASRADIO.org then "Advocacy Statement #6".

We have not received a full-month’s phone bill yet showing the new circuits, but WESOCM will pass along the info to Chiefs Riddle and Eichelberger when available.

We need to discuss having MABAS-15 radio drills so everyone is familiar with procedures and performance of the system.

Thanks to Chris Kindlespire and others who “made it happen”.

As always, call with any questions or concerns.

Steve Rauter: WESCOM-EXEC-DIRECTOR@comcast.net