Ecomm 1 is the identifier of the Massillon Amateur Radio Club's Emergency Communications Trailer. This 10 foot by 18 foot insulated box trailer provides 180 square foot of usable space and was custom outfitted and designed by the members of the club's Trailer Committee to serve as our main instrument of Public Serve. Completely outfitted with communications equipment, the trailer can operate on all Amateur frequencies and modes from High Frequency (HF) used for National Communications to Very High Frequencies (VHF) used for local work. Through special arrangements with neighboring public service agencies, we can also communicate directly with local police & fire departments or provide an operating console for use by department personnel. 

     The trailer was originally conceived in 1995 as a great idea for Field Day, although it has evolved to become the focus of nearly every major public service event participated in by the club. It has been equipped with both a 115 volt AC power and a separate 12 volt DC system. On need we can "plug in" directly to an available external AC source or generate our own with an onboard Honda 3,500 watt generator that drives both the AC mains and an Astron RM35M battery backup power supply. Both are safety fused through a panel box with circuit breaker protection. This heavy duty supply was ordered with battery revert and trickle charge that provides a steady charge to our heavy duty Marine battery. Normally we will operate the trailer from the 115 volt supply system. Should we lose power or be in an area without commercial power, the entire trailer can run from 12 volts for at least 5 hours if necessary or nearly indefinitely from the generator. With both radio's and lighting designed for 12 volts, this proved to be the best design for power distribution.

     The trailer also has installed a 4,000 BTU RV style Heat Pump Unit that can provide both heating and cooling to the entire unit. Our systems are designed to operate year around in all weather conditions.