An enhancement to the local HAM radio system will help provide a backup emergency communications system for the county, officials said last week.

The new system was installed at Fayette Community Hospital thanks to a grant from Coweta-Fayette EMC. The repeater system, as it is called, is named in memory of Dr. Bob McDowell, a long-time amateur radio supporter in the county.

The repeater system will be managed by amateur radio operators, providing communications that will span across Fayette County and the south metro Atlanta area. It operates on a frequency of 146.685 MHz and can be lawfully monitored on a police or race scanner.

All funding for the project came from private donations and non-governmental sources.

The repeater system is the newest and most complete amateur radio repeater system in the area, and it will be managed by the Fayette County Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the Fayette County Amateur Radio Club, Inc. Both groups work together to support local public services such as the National Weather Service, Fayette County Emergency Services, Fayette County 911 and the new Peachtree City Community Emergency Response Team.

Anyone interested in participating can find more information at www.fayetteares.org.

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