Citizens Utilities Company Installs First IMTS Set
January 29, 1971
Gary Shaffer, an employee of the Eagle Lake Lumber Co., is shown testing the improved mobile telephone which was installed in his pickup by the Citizens Utilities Co. on Tuesday. Looking on is L. D. Donaldson, technician with the Susanville office of Citizens Utilities.
The IMTS installation in the Eagle Lake Lumber Co. pickup was the first made in the Susanville area. The IMTS equipment was installed in the Susanville office at a cost of approximately $15,000 plus about $1,500 for each set to be installed.
It is anticipated that approximately 30 sets will soon be on the air. There are presently seven sets in this area based on the Citizens Utilities station in Alturas and these will all be converted to the Susanville station in the near future.
G. F. Watson, Susanville district manager for Citizens Utilities, says the equipment is the most modern mobile telephone equipment available and provides the ability to dial and receive calls direct from the customer’s car. Additional crystals are available to provide coverage for areas other than Susanville if the customer desires a broader range. For customers who wish the equipment can be installed so that the vehicle horn will sound to signal that someone is calling.
