Comms Connect NZ presentation teaser

The following is an abstract for one of the plenary presentations coming up in June at Comms Connect NZ in Christchurch, titled ‘Long range digital radio for NZ Land Search & Rescue’.

In early 2019, the Wakatipu Land Search & Rescue (LandSAR) group made a request to NZ LandSAR to fund equipment and expertise for a long-range digital radio proof of concept (PoC).

The first field trials highlighted some challenges, including user training and integration/configuration issues within the system. The extended duration of the PoC has allowed these issues to be resolved. The results of the PoC have been overwhelmingly positive, with the most recent field trials in December 2020 allowing HF transmissions via NVIS between sites not previously accessible via traditional VHF methods.

This initiative leverages and builds on the PoC work done to date and will extend that PoC into a wider pilot, to enable exhaustive end-to-end field testing over an extended duration (including actual SAROPS if they were to occur during the evaluation phase), and to widen the geographical coverage area to cover the Tasman SAR district and/or other adjoining districts.

The presentation will be delivered by Matt Ellingham, Group Support Equipment & Technology, NZ Land Search & Rescue, and Jono Sands, Director, Ignition Networks.

For further information: Comms Connect NZ conference program.