In December of 2017, the Gila NF went through radio equipment upgrade and re configuring of the existing radio network. SF Divide was upgraded in December. Since the upgrade, radio communications has been poor and have continued to remain so especially these last couple of weeks. Dispatch has had to work around the issue as best as possible through the use of other repeaters, but this work around is limited due to locations of resources in the field and radio coverage. The attached video contains a lookout tower trying to relay daily weather observations through SF Divide. SF Divide is utilized daily for general fire weather forest delivery at 10:15. Weather observations are transmitted from lookout towers daily through this site as well.
During the morning hours everyday, call lights are flashing on dispatch consoles with constant static. See attached video.
This issue has been known since December and has yet to be remedied.
This has had an effect on responding resources to wildland fires specifically on SF Divide.
***video did not attached. available upon request |