I'm confused.
Are we trying to connect two points- brother to sister 25 miles apart?
Or are we trying to create a church-based network of rural radio users?
Looks like they’re one and the same.
And it’s an excellent idea, though geography and available funds make it difficult.
A wire dipole in the trees is the likeliest “best” solution.
It’s worth the effort to get some folks closer than 25-miles apart to ask the congregation for their aid. The ones “in town”, so to speak. Test group. May be someone with a bucket truck the church could sponsor. Or a tree service.
An SSB-capable CB radio is (should be) the minimum.
Wire dipoles are DIY. Some coax and how to ground (against lightning ) are the other part.
The radio would need a 120V-to-12V power supply.
Radio
Coax
Antenna
Power Supply
Copper Grounding
A video worth watching is by Cryptic Cricket (102” Whip Base Station Antenna) as another type. Good grounding emphasis. (Those antennas are about $20, but shipping doubles that).
In return, I’d imagine the oldsters could come up with what irregular hours kept could be of service to the larger community.
This is where to start. Prayerful consideration through which the benefits are in both directions.
It’s enough that a friendly voice is available. “To listen” means more than putting the words together to derive meaning. They’re the form, . . but the real content may be hidden below.
If there’s a group all within a few miles of each other, then a morning hour or an evening hour where a volunteer agrees to be on-air, has been my first thought. A starting point only.
CB Radio is just a little doorbell.
Ripples spreading outwards from a centrally-located group.
I suppose I don’t need to remind a lady of tender sensibilities that CB can can get kinda rough with some users. That can be tamed. Patience. Love. Will make plenty of converts to better manners.
NY state has many citizens of life-long residence. This is a huge help. It gives me confidence to think of it. As there are ALSO bound to be some HAM radio operators in the area. (Tech expert).
See if there aren’t any HAM Radio (Amateur Radio) clubs in your region.
Boy Scouts used to have a corresponding merit badge.
Eagle Scouts have a service project to design and execute. Under a HAM operators guidance one can see the parallel.
A plan needed.
And a big uncle to knock together some unruly nephews heads
to git’er dun (as they’d say here in Texas).
More locals with CBs in their cars & houses is a desired outgrowth.
And who wants to go to a diner with that blasted TV turned on. Be a lot more fun if the local CB party line was heard.
Your own resources, Ma’am, are the key. Church members interested. Prayer and reflection. Please keep that first.
Unity of Purpose. Let Him guide.
You’ve my prayer. (And that of others here). The tech stuff some of us are willing to help with. Your neighbors, the rest.
Your posting here caused me to think more on this. It’s been on my mind.
Now is the time that all Citizens install and use this Radio.
Thank you
Best wishes.