WR2AHL Mission Statement

The University of Rochester Medical Center has called on its own Amateur Radio community to establish an avenue for emergency communications that would augment its pre-existing communications for use in times of emergency or disaster.

As quoted from the Amateur Radio Disaster Service, "Disasters come in all shapes and sizes. From a category 5 hurricane affecting thousands, to a localized hailstorm, nature can unleash more destructive energy in a single thunderstorm than is released in a nuclear explosion, devastating communities and destroying their normal lines of communication. It is at this point when Amateur Radio Operators come into their own. No matter the scale of the emergency or disaster, they are there providing communications for relief and rescue organizations. As our motto states, Amateur operators have the ability to get the message out 'when all normal means of communications fail!'"

In recent months following September 11th, being prepared for disaster is blazingly present in all of our minds. Amateur radio's public service commitment is a highly valuable tool to assist in our emergency preparedness. As precious as this component of the Amateur Radio Service is to us, it is "Not for Profit" and comes at little expense.

A coordinated effort initiated by the hospital and carried forth by a combination of Facilities and other staff (as well as Amateur operators from the community) has resulted in the launch of a new UHF repeater system atop of the hospital. Due to funding made possible by the hospital, radio equipment donated by a Medical Center Amateur operator, and space accommodations on the roof and in the Facilities penthouse, the system has been installed and has been providing communications throughout the county and further.

Amateur operators from miles away have been testing and using the system, literally even before its installation was complete. The system is currently attached to the hospitals emergency generators for continuous operation during power outages. It maintains inter-connectivity with the telephone system for incoming or outgoing telephony interfacing. Most popular is the ability to connect to the internet via IRLP and Echolink, extending it's reach to, virtually, the world.