NEAR Communications Van

Years ago NEAR received a gracious donation of a 1995 Ford E350 Wolf Coach news van including a 4.5kW generator, a pneumatic 40 foot mast, part-time 4WD, and integrated equipment racks.

The van needed lots of body work, exhaust repair, and some new equipment.

NEAR installed a suite of radios including HF, VHF, UHF and more. Needed equipment includes monitors, computers, and many other small miscellaneous items.

The van was used with amateur radio groups in events, contests, education, outreach, and emergency operations. The  vehicle was available as a mobile communications center during public service events, ARES and emergency activations, as a demo for educational and outreach purposes, and other activities to promote amateur radio.

The cost for upkeep has become too much to afford, so the board has voted to sell or donate the van after removing all the radio equipment.  Therefore NEAR has begun looking for new opportunities to get another van or trailer for educational purposes and events.

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