How to set up HF radio for critical comms in infrastructure

Infrastructure providers experience many advantages when using HF radio, but getting started can be a complex process.

Barrett Communications North American system integrator, John Rosica, President of NVIS Communications, walks us through how to set up HF radio for critical comms.

You’re not just going out and deciding to buy HF radios; you’re deciding to have an HF program.

1. Who do you need to connect with?

“The first thing to understand is that you’re not just going out and deciding to buy HF radios; you’re deciding to have an HF program,” John says.

“This would imply you’ve already determined there are locations or sites that need to be connected within your operational area. These could be your own sites as well as external sites or locations you need to connect to.”

Identify these sites and determine the distance between the furthest two – that shows you the maximum and minimum ranges your system must cover. This will be essential for the next steps.

2. What spectrum do you need to cover?

Your operational distance requirements will tell you what areas of the radio spectrum you will use – a longer range calls for higher frequencies.

Be sure to acquire an operating license and equipment that covers those frequencies – whether you require short- or long-range communications, or a combination of both.

3. Which antenna is most suitable?

The antenna you need will also come down to range requirements. Covering shorter distances can be done with a more compact antenna, but long distances necessitate a larger antenna or one installed higher off the ground.

This opens up considerations regarding physical space either on a rooftop or in open areas around a potential base station – as well as nearby sources of HF noise, such as air conditioning units. Compact, powerful antennas like the ATU Horizontal Dipole suit base stations with limited space.

4. How much power will your system require?

HF radio signals degrade over longer distances, so the target coverage area will determine your power requirements.

If your communication points are within a short range, standard radios operating at 125w to 150w are sufficient. For longer distances, you’ll need more power with an integrated system of radios and amplifiers.

5. What equipment do you want?

Once you’ve determined the necessary specifications for your HF radio system, you can start looking at vendors. At this point, it’s important to have an idea of which features you’re looking for.

For a closer look at the capabilities of advanced equipment, watch our video on the Barrett Communications 4050 HF SDR transceiver.

When looking to install emergency communication for infrastructure providers, the right help makes all the difference. Barrett Communications has the expertise and global reach to see to your HF radio needs. Contact us today to learn more.