CLUB PROJECTS

Schoolcraft County 5-Node VHF Repeater Network

To ensure robust emergency communications across our entire geographic area, SCARA is deploying a coordinated five-site network. This initiative includes installing and programming four brand-new Motorola repeaters at strategic high-elevation sites, alongside integrating and reprogramming one existing Motorola repeater located at the Schoolcraft County Sheriff’s Office.

Hosted on highly resilient state MPSCS and county towers, this network provides crucial localized coverage for severe weather spotting, public service events, and disaster response scenarios where traditional cellular or internet infrastructure may fail. The ongoing maintenance and tuning of these nodes is a primary technical focus for our engineering volunteers.

Multi-Mission Mobile Unit (Communications Trailer)

Working in formal partnership with Schoolcraft County Emergency Management, SCARA’s volunteer technical team is engineering and outfitting the county-owned 28-foot Mobile Command Center featuring three standardized operator workstations.

Designed for completely independent operation during extended grid failures, this $36,970.00 initiative combines a $27,470.00 grant request with a $9,500.00 SCARA In-Kind Match (180 hours of licensed volunteer engineering labor plus $1,400.00 in association-contributed copper grounding stock, Heil Pro 7 headsets, PTT foot pedals, and cabling).

When deployed, the trailer provides simultaneous HF NVIS regional links, VHF/UHF digital voice and APRS tracking, public safety/marine band monitoring, off-grid solar/LiFePO4 battery power, and high-performance satellite internet.

Search & Rescue (SAR) Communications Support

When an individual goes missing in the challenging, densely forested terrain of the Upper Peninsula, communication between ground searchers and command elements is often compromised by a lack of cell service.

SCARA acts as a force multiplier for local law enforcement and search teams. Our operators deploy to provide portable cross-band repeating, track search team locations via APRS, and maintain a continuous, reliable communications link back to the Incident Command Post so searchers can focus on the mission.

ICS Integration & Planned Event Support

Preparedness requires practice. SCARA actively supports our community by providing dedicated communications for planned events such as rallies, marathons, and large-scale public gatherings where safety monitoring and logistics coordination are required.

During active county emergencies, our organization seamlessly integrates into the formal Incident Command System (ICS). We provide the necessary nets, traffic handling, and interoperable communication bridges required by Emergency Managers to coordinate a multi-agency response.

Projected Equipment Needs & Technical Specifications

To outfit the three workstations inside the Mobile Command Center and support field deployments, we have compiled a comprehensive equipment budget. Our projected system architecture is organized into four primary grant-funded categories:

• 1. Standardized Radio Communications Suite ($9,020): Three Icom IC-7300MK2 HF/50MHz SDR transceivers and three Icom ID-5200A VHF/UHF D-STAR/APRS transceivers (one pair per workstation), two Uniden BCD996P2 / Standard Horizon GX1850G marine/public safety monitoring receivers, and four ruggedized Yaesu FT-5DR / Icom ID-52A Plus APRS handhelds for SAR ground teams.
• 2. Pneumatic Mast, Antenna & Three-Tier Grounding ($6,550): A Will-Burt / BlueSky 30–50 ft through-roof pneumatic mast, shared Alpha Delta DX-CC / Buckmaster OCF NVIS HF dipole kit, three dedicated Diamond X50A dual-band verticals, an 800MHz/Marine omni antenna, Times Microwave LMR-400 / LMR-400-UF cabling with bandpass filters, and a PolyPhaser single-point copper bulkhead lightning protection system.
• 3. VESA Mini-PC Computing, Display & Connectivity ($6,300): Three VESA-mounted Core i5 Mini-PCs with dual 24″ monitors (6 displays total) for Winlink and ICS logging, a 50-inch 4K UHD LED tactical situational display with a 4×4 HDMI matrix switch, a Starlink Flat High-Performance Mobile Kit, and three APC 1500VA UPS units with a managed PoE switch.
• 4. Hybrid Solar & Battery Power Subsystem ($5,600): A roof-mounted Renogy 800W solar array with a Victron SmartSolar MPPT controller, a 48V 200Ah (10.24kWh) EG4-LL LiFePO4 server-rack battery bank, and a Victron MultiPlus-II 48/3000 inverter/charger with 48V-to-13.8V DC converters and dual 19″ 12U racks.