RMRA Systems Engineer Mark Hoenecke WB9YZR prepares to install the plutonium fuel core into the recently constructed nuclear reactor that will serve as the power source for all Amateur Radio repeaters on Rib Mountain.
The Rib Mountain Repeater Association made history this week by installing what is believed to be the first Amateur built nuclear reactor specifically designed to power an Amateur Radio Repeater system.
The decision to go with stand alone nuclear power over commercial power or more a conventional energy source was made several months ago. According to RMRA President Rich Maier KC9NW, "We just got tired of paying electrical bills."
When asked how the usually difficult to obtain Plutonium-238 was procured, RMRA Secretary Paul Nelles K9DB replied, "It's just a matter of knowing which forms to fill out, Most people don't realize it, but we got the radioisotope from the Russian Nuclear Agency. With the end of the cold war, they had a lot of this stuff laying around. We figured we could make better use of it than they could. Ask yourself this, 'Who would you rather have in possession of this much nuclear fuel? A bunch of displaced ex-communist scientists or a trained team of Amateur Radio experimenters? Let me answer that in one word: Chernobyl!' "
Negotiations to sell the excess power produced by the reactor are underway. First in line are the managers of the Granite Peak Ski Area on Rib Mountain who want to power their new in-ground slope refrigeration system. If successful, Granite peak will become the state's first artificially cooled ski hill, and will provide year round Alpine skiing.
There has been some concern over the environmental impact and radiation exposure hazards to the residents of Wausau and the nearby Town of Rib Mountain. "Radiation hazards are largely a matter of public relations.", said Maier. "We have to convince the public that radiation is a good thing."
Mark Hoenecke WB9YZR, RMRA Engineer handled the installation of the radioisotopic components with no protective gear. "We're tougher up here than that.", he said. "It's gonna take more that a few energetic alpha particles, and fast neutrons to screw us up."
Concerned with security, Hoenecke also installed several anti-tampering devices on the core. "If anybody wants to try and steal this thing, bring 'em on. Ever see how big a bang 150 kilograms of weapons grade plutonium will make?"
1 April 2004
