Pat's Knob radio tower undergoes repairs

A radio tower on Pat’s Knob that suffered minor damage during a snowstorm will be repaired soon according to representatives from the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s Department Safety Communications Manager Cody Best stressed that communications capabilities are still at 100 percent capacity.

“We had a radio go down in an ice storm about three weeks ago. We are still able to function. We are waiting on parts to come in and we should be able to repair the damage this week,” said Best.

Best said the damage was to a radio link on one of the antennas that is part of the microwave communication system. Best said the damage was most likely due to ice falling on the equipment.

“Most likely ice hit it. We have ice shields in place but it’s hard to predict how ice is going to fall,” said Best.

The equipment that was damaged has caused the Sheriff’s Department to rely on a back up system to dispatch police, ambulance and fire services. Volunteer dispatchers are now using a phone tree system that utilizes a network of people who can quickly and accurately relay information as the need arises.

Best said that there is no danger to the public and that law enforcement and emergency services are still able to receive information from dispatchers in a timely manner.

“The volunteers have really stepped up. In addition, the road crews from Plains really came through for us. They spent three or four days plowing the road so we could get up there,” said Best.

Pat’s Knob is home to a Forest Service fire lookout station as well as a variety of antennas and transmission towers. About three miles south of Plains and rising to almost 7,000 feet, the mountaintop contains antennas from the Federal Aviation Administration, Montana Highway Patrol, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and numerous other agencies.