WCF SECTION PRESS RELEASE #19-26
FDOT TALKING WITH SARNET MANAGEMENT TEAM ABOUT RESUMING SARNET SUPPORT
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Chief Engineer issued the following statement on Wednesday August 21, which was posted on the SARNET website, concerning the initial decision to discontinue maintenance on the SARNET:
“Thank you for your input regarding the Statewide Amateur Radio Network (SARNET) devices on the Florida Department of Transportation (Department) communications infrastructure used by amateur radio operators. We are currently evaluating several options available to the Department concerning the future of the SARNET devices and no decision has yet been made. Thanks again for your input.”
The SARNET management team has reported that the support for SARNET has been overwhelming and that FDOT has been in contact with them to see what the next step might be. Sending in your email and letters has sent the right message: Letting FDOT know how SARNET supported emergency management and the communities during the past hurricanes have alerted them to what SARNET means to emergency communications in the state of Florida.
The SARNET management team extends their thanks and asks for everyone to be patient. The team is working with officials, and as soon as they know more they will post it to SARNET website.
Also announced today on the SARNET website was the donation of a Hytera repeater to the SARNET network to provide a link into SARNET for the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
For the latest information the SARNET website can be found at http://www.sarnetfl.com.