March 2025 left an unfortunate legacy for some Indiana residents. The tower used by the Fulton County Amateur Radio Club and for Skywarn's weather spotting service had been destroyed by a storm, hampering vital communication between the county and the surrounding region during severe weather.
The community has its tower back, however, because its restoration wasn't just an amateur radio issue; it became a community project. The county's Highway Department, the Rochester Fire Department and a number of local businesses all donated time and muscle, as did club members Doug Garvison KD9PMT and Tom Murray KB9WSL. This past summer, the 30-foot tower was ready for some serious Skywarn spotting and other ham radio communication.
Club president Brian Johnson, KD9SFY, told Channel 57 TV news [quote]: “If we had a severe weather event like a tornado go through and take out a lot of communications capabilities, we can be up and running here at [the Emergency Management Agency] in a very short time frame and provide those backup services or primary communications if needed.”
