The End is Near for Chicago Hams.

Ryan writes:



Already underutilized it appears Chicago hams will have virtually no place in emergency communications for the Chicagoland area.



According to an MRT article Chicago is about to place a new communications rig into service.
While that might not sound like much this truck is a little different. It comes with two JPS TRP-1000 interconnect systems which will allow interoperability between all Chicago area public safety agencies. The TRP-1000 will act like an on scene repeater. Just plug the radios in and go.



The communications truck will also have the option of leaving behind a TRP-1000 unit to server as a backup comm system if a public safety agency loses their primary facilities thus essentially ending what little ham involvement there was.



While this isn't a big deal in the Chicago area due to the lack of ham involvement in emergency matters this no doubt signals the start of something that will probably spread throughout the country as public safety agencies look for ways to provide more direct communications for their members.