ARES/RACES Repeater Site

Last updated 20 JUL 2003.

The Yavapai County, AZ, ARES/RACES repeater is located on top of Mt. Union, southeast of Prescott in the Bradshaw Mountains. At 7,982', it is the highest peak in the Bradshaws.

The Bradshaw Mountains are in the Prescott National Forest which has been the world's largest poderosa pine forest. The recent forest fires and pine bark beetle epidemic may change that.

In early December 2002, Lloyd (WA6ZZJ), Lee (KC7CBK), Doug (KV8TD) and I went up to perform some maintenance on the repeater. These pictures were taken at that time.

The crew, left to right: WB9VGJ, WA6ZZJ, KV8TD (KC7CBK was the photographer).

The shed containing the repeater, and the antennas.

U.S. Forest Service tower and other antennas on the mountaintop.

Looking south over the helipad towards Crown King, AZ.

Looking NW towards Prescott, AZ.

Looking west. In this shot, you can see many dead pine trees on the mountainside, a result of the pine bark beetles.

Pine bark beetles have been killing lots of trees in the Prescott National Forest. The kill rate had been 30 - 40% in the Prescott Basin and about 70% near Crown King at the time these pictures were taken. Since then (it is now July, 2003), the kill rate to about seven miles south of Prescott is in the 50% range and the Crown King area has reached over 90%.