MCACS Communications Van

View of comm van parked next to Red Cross vehicles. An HF terminated folded dipole antenna is supported from the van's pneumatic mast.

MCACS operates a communications van to support our mission. The van was originally used for research by a DC-area company, and generously made available to the Amateur Radio community when no longer needed. It is equipped with a 48-foot pneumatic mast and a 7 kW generator, among other amenities.

The van is designed to be used as a mobile emergency communications facility when needed to supplement response and recovery operations following a large-scale emergency or disaster. It is equipped with a complement of HF, VHF, and UHF Amateur Radio gear for this purpose.

    The lead photo shows the van in use during a drill at a Red Cross facility. Below, van is seen at the 2018 Takoma Park (MD) 4th of July Parade.

    The van, with its mast extended to full height, is seen in a parking lot at the parade stepping-off point.

    The following photo shows the van in use during a hospital emergency exercise (about which more can be found here).

    The van is seen, with mast fully extended, in a hospital parking lot.

    And here is a view of the operating positions.

    A view of the operating position with a variety of radios, computers, and other equipment visible.

    Photo: W3SCI

    On the left is the network control center. From top to bottom are the network router, the controller for an az-el rotator used to point the dish, and a VoIP telephone. The PC workstation on the left is used to manage the network interface, and also supports Winlink operation on VHF and UHF. An IP camera on the mast lets the operator see exactly what the dish is looking at.

    The next rack currently houses an antenna patch panel, a weather radio from our friends at Thunder Eagle, the DC circuit breaker panel, and single-band radios for 2m, 220, and 440.

    Close-up of a weather radio and DC power panel containing circuit breakers, meters, and the main DC power switch.

    The right-most rack currently houses the IC-718 HF/6m rig and its dedicated PC for digital modes.

    Isaac, AC3CJ, operating the HF rig.

    Below, a view of the back side of the rack.

    View of the back of the equipment rack, showing wiring.

    AC and DC power is available in each rack. The onboard auxiliary battery has approximately 200 Ah of capacity, backed by a 40A battery charger. A 1 kW sine wave inverter is also installed.

    A view of the van's main AC/DC power panel, showing circuit breakers, switches, and meters.