Neyland Stadium is the temporary home to hundreds of thousands of orange-clad fans on Saturdays during the fall.

For at least the next 30 years, however, it will be home to the UT Amateur Radio Club’s new, state-of-the-art antenna.

Members of the club met with Vice Chancellor and Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Timothy Rogers and Physical Plant Executive Director Mike Sherrell last week to discuss the installment of the new 25 foot tall antenna.

The men’s athletic department granted permission to use the space while Sherrell agreed to have a crew administer installation.

From 1977 to 1999, the club maintained an antenna on the east stadium light tower until construction crews destroyed the antenna.

Jessica Skipper, UTARC president, said the installation of the new antenna will help the club and campus.

“For the past three years the club has operated with dipole antenna that has been extended out the window of the club and slightly past the stadium. This antenna provides poor coverage … and has hindered us from being able to cover campus,” Skipper said.

“With the new antenna we will be able to have better propagation and better coverage worldwide.”

The five-band mosely antenna, the latest in antenna design, was purchased by amateur radio operators Lynn Lamb and George Dominick for $1,000. The antenna will allow club members to contact other licensed amateur radio operators around the world.

Amateur radio is based on sending signals at certain wavelengths to other antennas by line of sight or after skipping off the ionosphere, according to Skipper.

In the past, UTARC has provided assistance in times of emergency, namely Sept. 11, and Skipper said they are planning to provide communications during various campus activities in the fall.

Anyone interested in becoming part of the club can contact [email protected] or visit the group’s Web site at www.utarc.org.