Grant: Mississippi Valley Amateur Radio Association Emergency Communications Bus

Grant date: October 2021

Amount: $116,399

The mission of the Mississippi Valley Amateur Radio Association (MVARA) is to promote the use of amateur radio for education, emergency service (communications), team building, and training for all ages. This grant will allow them to refurbish and maintain a bus that had been previously used as a commercial emergency communication center. This includes equipment upgrades, such as matching HF/VHF/UHF stations and accessories and a fold-over tower attached to the bus for antennas. The equipment will allow them to operate four stations simultaneously, using a variety of different modes, including CW, voice, and digital modes.

In addition to its use in emergency situations, the bus will be used as an educational and training center for newly licensed and potential new amateur radio operators. The club expects to use the bus for school presentations, emergency drills, National Night Out events, ARRL Field Day, and any other related events.