Polk County ARES is pleased to announce that its newest emergency communications trailer will be used in the upcoming Living History Farms Fun Race.  The trailer was provided by Polk County Emergency Management.  This trailer has twice the interior room as compared to our older Emcom 2 trailer.  The trailer is a tandem axle measuring 16’ X 7” X 7’ tall.  On board equipment includes 2 Kenwood TM-V71 radios, an Icom IC-2080h D-Star radio, a Motorola XPR 5550e DMR radio, a Harris Multiband Polk County radio and a Motorola XPR 4580 MICRN network radio.  Also installed in the trailer is the NØVPR portable repeater and a 40-amp Tripp-Lite power supply for HF use if needed.  Radio power is provided by 2 deep cycle batteries that are maintained by a roof mounted 25-watt solar array.  There is also a Battery Minder battery charger in parallel with the solar panel.  A Honda 3000i generator is housed in the box on the tongue.

The trailer is complete with air conditioning, heat and three windows.  All lighting is LED.  The trailer is equipped with a total on 9 external antennas.  This allows for 2 redundant triband antennas if needed for additional capabilities.  Emcom 1 is capable of 4 operating stations. Funds for the equipping and outfitting of the trailer have been provided by the Des Moines Radio Amateur Association.  Our thanks to the many members that have helped get the trailer ready for service.