HomeMy WebLinkAboutPW Radio Donation
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Jordan Gilgenbach, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • jgilgenbach@EdinaMN.gov • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Donates Radios To School District
Edina, Minn., Feb. 14, 2013 – After updating to 800 MHz radios, the City of Edina’s Public Works
Department donated its old UHF radio system to Edina Public Schools, which the school district will use to
upgrade its bus communications.
“Public Works upgraded its radio system to 800 MHz, which is the same system Police and Fire are using. It’s
much more reliable,” said Public Works Director Brian Olson. “Instead of needing to deprogram and dispose of
the old UHF radios, they will be getting a second life with the school district.”
In addition to the 80 radios, the City is also donating the repeater, or antenna, on the water tower near the
Community Center, and the City’s existing radio license. The donated repeater is located significantly higher
than the district’s current radio antenna, providing better radio coverage across the City. This results in a lower
probability of losing connection, creating a safer transportation system for students.
“We very much appreciate this donation from the City, as the radios and antenna access will increase our
capacity to communicate with our drivers when they are out on their routes,” said David White, Edina Public
Schools Transportation Supervisor.
White added that the donated radios will help the district meet new federal communications regulations for
school buses, noting that half of the district’s current radios are outdated and do not meet the new standards.
“The radios and access to the antenna on the water tower will provide our drivers with more consistent
communication tools, which in turn provides another level of safety for our students and families,” White said.
According to Olson, the old radios have not been used in a while, so it is a “win-win” for both the City and the
district. “We don’t need to pay to dispose of the radios, and the school district can increase bus communication
and safety. It’s a great partnership,” Olson said. The value of the 80 radios is about $4,000.
For more information, contact Olson at 952-826-0311 or White at 952-848-4979.
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