Barrett provides portable HF radio equipment for specialist rescue team
Barrett provides portable HF radio equipment for specialist rescue team.
Perth, Western Australia, 18 April 2017 – Barrett Communications have provided portable HF radio communications equipment to the West Midlands Fire Services (WMFS) for their specialist search and rescue team when responding to international emergencies.
The WMFS Service is the second largest fire service within the United Kingdom and are responsible for the coordination of communications element of UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR).
In larger emergencies, voice communication to and from outside the impact area is critical. In identifying the need to further strengthen their communications with High Frequency (HF) capability, WMFS contacted Barrett Communications about the Barrett 2050 Rapid Field Deployment System (RFDS) and other portable HF systems to provide their team with communications in these emergency environments. HF radio communications is often used by first responders to natural or man-made disasters where normal communications infrastructure has either been destroyed or disabled in the disaster. With the exception of the initial capital cost, HF systems are infrastructure independent and free to air with no ongoing call costs.
The WMFS are part of the larger International Search and Rescue Team (ISAR), a group known for their global response to natural and man-made disasters and are often called upon by governments in extreme situations. As part of their ongoing training, WMFS were recently involved in the Modex Exercise 2 in Falck Denmark – Langvang, where the exercise scenario was a major earthquake with numerous powerful aftershocks which had devastated the region of Langvang and the busy town of Falck. The exercise took place over 4 days in below 0°C conditions.
The Barrett RFDS was deployed as part of the UK communications system and provided communication back to the response headquarters in Falck. Two of the WMFS rescue specialists wore the Barrett 2090 HF manpacks which allowed them to provide minute by minute updates on the rescue situation.
Mike Teale, Communications Engineer with the WMFS commented “The RFDS was deployed and operational within minutes, which is so critical in emergency situations like this, and provided reliable communications throughout the entire exercise. This additional capability of HF radio communications has strengthened the rescue service that WMFS provide”
How HF radios enable environmental research in extreme locations
HF radios provide reliable communication for researchers in remote areas like Antarctica, deserts, and rain-forests where other networks do not have coverage or can fail.
Empowering conservation volunteers with HF radios in remote areas
HF radios keep conservation volunteers safe & connected in remote areas, enabling coordination, reporting and emergency response where cell coverage fails.
The importance of frequency management in HF radio communication
Explore how frequency management in HF radio boosts communication reliability, reduces interference and enhances long-distance performance.
The role of HF radios in coordinating humanitarian aid
Learn how HF radios ensure reliable, secure communication in disaster zones, helping coordinate humanitarian aid and saving lives in remote areas.
Low-band VHF vs VHF: What’s the difference?
In this article, we’ll cover frequencies and differences, including the pros and cons of each, as well as use cases.
The evolution of HF radio encryption technologies
Discover the advancements in HF radio encryption technologies that have improved security and privacy in communications, from early methods to modern, sophisticated encryption techniques.
