First 800 MHz Radio Tower Complete

The first of two 800 MHz radio towers has been constructed in Newton, KS. The tower site off I-135 will help emergency responders within the county communicate more reliably during emergency situations. “I was just out there yesterday,” said Harvey County Emergency Communications director Don Gruver Tuesday. “I just happened to head out there at the right time as they were putting the last section in place” (The Kansan). Construction on the 300-foot tower started in July, and workers from Hayden Tower Service finished installing antennas last Tuesday. The concrete has been poured for the second tower, and it should go up soon. According to The Kansan, this project would have cost the county $500,000 per site, which is why they decided to lease the towers. Hayden Tower Service will retain ownership of the completed sites, and the county will lease space for $1,350 a month. The county’s third new tower is in the final stages of conversion. The news outlet explained, permission has been obtained from the Kansas Department of Transportation to put microwave equipment on a state-owned tower in Sedgwick County connecting the Harvey County towers to the statewide system. The system has about 80 towers across the state.