The chapter’s Comm Van is stationed at the Burlingame office, where it is currently undergoing rebuilding.
When it arrived here in July of 2008, it was not really functional or operational. The generator didn’t work, the pneumatic tower didn’t raise fully, the packet station computer didn’t boot, the waste water holding tank leaked, and the floor plan was unsuitable.
So we decided to gut it, and start over. During the process of removing everything from the inside one part at a time, we discovered that just about all of it had been built in ways that ranged from sub-optimal to strange to deadly.
The interior is now empty, and we have begun to design and build one prototype 2-person comm station.
Progress of the Refurbishment
- Built and mounted a 7-foot long prototype communications desk.
- Designed and half-built a new mast top and cross-arm assembly for holding antennas.
- Mounted most of the radios that remained along the front dash, to create temporary stations for Volunteer Coordination, Mass Care, and Interoffice Communications, while we complete the van.
- Repaired the pneumatic mast.
- Repaired the generator.
Volunteers Needed
This project will require much more than just the skills of amateur radio geeks—there are plenty of opportunities for volunteers to help out. Some of the skills and capabilities we need include:
- Carpenters and cabinet makers to build furniture.
- Vehicle wiring experts to repair, add to, and document the van’s electrical systems.
- Machinists to help us fabricate antenna mounts and lots of other parts.
- Electricians to help us design and build the van’s AC and DC distribution systems, and design a proper shore-power pedestal for our building.
- RF modeling experts to help us design the layout of antennas on the roof.
- Telephone experts to help us determine the right wired and wireless telephone systems to install.
- Other skills we haven’t yet realized that we need.
If you’d like to help in any way with the the Comm Van design and rebuilding effort, please contact me:
Peter Sheerin, K6WEB
Phone: +1 415 298 7383
E-mail: my callsign, followed by @arrl.net
I’ll add you to the e-mail discussion list, and tell you what we’re planning next.