Codan wins big in US Dept of Veterans Affairs HF contract

Codan Radio Communications, under a prime contract awarded to By Light Professional IT Services, has announced a contract award from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the implementation of its nationwide emergency HF radio network.

The network will provide the VA with a last-resort communications capability through a state-of-the-art, easy-to-operate and -maintain communications network to improve response efforts and ensure their facilities and services do not become isolated in a disaster.

The VA identified the need for a resilient HF radio network using the latest technologies in the wake of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Sandy, along with previous hurricanes and disasters, disrupted normal communications and hampered their ability to provide support and healthcare services to veteran beneficiaries in an effective and efficient manner.

The nationwide HF radio network will use Codan’s Envoy HF smart radio, its software-defined radio that has advanced IP capabilities in base and mobile system configurations, an icon-based colour user interface, high-speed data and GPS, as well as the ability to add new capabilities to the radio through software updates for future flexibility.

“Codan and By Light are honoured to provide the Department of Veterans Affairs with a resilient and reliable HF radio network that uses the most advanced commercial HF technology to ensure that no matter the situation or emergency, VA will always have the ability to communicate,” said Paul McCarter, executive general manager of Codan Radio Communications.

Under the contract, Codan will support By Light in the furnishing, installation, testing, certification and training of a fully functional turnkey resilient HF radio network.