Mobile Communication
Lessons from Black Summer
UHF Base Station
Base Stations have a greater range
Several properties in Upper Yango Creek Road have also had fixed UHF radio systems installed as part of the Mangrove Emergency Planning and Communication Committee’s project to distribute fixed base station systems throughout Wollombi Valley. The units, installed in full time residences, facilitate broader communication during emergencies
Investing in such systems can be the difference between safety and catastrophe in future emergencies. Community preparedness must include robust emergency communication networks.
The Importance of ensuring the valley has reliable Emergency Communication
The devastating Black Summer bushfires highlighted the critical need for reliable and coordinated emergency communication on the fire ground. One of the key lessons from this disaster was the necessity for functional radio communication between community fire crews and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades.
At Upper Yango, the need for mobile radio communication was starkly demonstrated through several potentially serious incidents. In one case, a landholder and two neighbours worked together to monitor an approaching fire. With slow progress into the late night, the neighbours left for some much needed sleep, relying on a telephone call to return when needed. However, as the fire advanced, it took out the phone line, leaving the landholder alone to defend the property. This incident underscores the potential dangers when communication lines are lost during emergencies.
In major disasters such as bushfires and floods, when landlines and mains power are often among the first casualties, without effective communication, residents can be left stranded and unable to call for help, turning an already dire situation into a life-threatening one.
A practical and cost-effective solution is the use of handheld 5-watt UHF radios. These devices can facilitate communication in many locations. However, UHF signals typically require line-of-sight transmission, which can be a challenge in rugged landscapes. In the Upper Yango valley, with its spurs, gullies and valley arms, combined with the extended distances, reliable communication across the entire community presented problems. For us, a VHF/UHF twin network has significantly improved coverage.
In major disasters such as bushfires and floods, when landlines and mains power are often among the first casualties, without effective communication, residents can be left stranded and unable to call for help, turning an already dire situation into a life-threatening one.
A practical and cost-effective solution is the use of handheld 5-watt UHF radios. These devices can facilitate communication in many locations. However, UHF signals typically require line-of-sight transmission, which can be a challenge in rugged landscapes. In the Upper Yango valley, with its spurs, gullies and valley arms, combined with the extended distances, reliable communication across the entire community presented problems. For us, a VHF/UHF twin network has significantly improved coverage.
GMC 5 watt handheld UHF radio
Simon explains why a UHF radio can save lives in an emergency