Codan Radio Transportable Radio Systems User Guide - Manual (Page 11)

www.codanradio.com © Copyright 2015 © Copyright 2015 www.codanradio.com PAGE 21 PAGE 20
3.1.5 Scientific Research in the Antarctic
The Antarctic is renowned for its cold temperatures where lows of -50°C (-58°F) are common and winds can exceed
185 km/h (115 mph). A Codan transportable VHF repeater has been operational in the Antarctic since the mid 1990s pro-
viding communications from summer research camps a mile (1.6 kms) up on the Ross Ice Shelf back to McMurdo Station.
In this harsh environment the survival of scientists and other workers in these camps (like the one in the photo to the
right) requires dependable communications with McMurdo Station, more than 50 miles (80 kms) across the Ross Ice
Shelf. Helicopters provide the only access to these fi eld camp sites, and Very High Frequency (VHF) radios provide the
only communications.
VHF frequencies have proved to work well when the line-of-sight propagation limitation is overcome with transport-
able repeaters. The repeater supports multiple communications channels and meteorological equipment. The system
can be assembled easily and fl own to the repeater site. At the site, the repeater is unhooked from the lifting rigging,
the antenna and accessory cables are installed and connected, wind braces are rigged and the repeater is turned on.
The system is then in operation and ready for use immediately. The open- frame structure has solar panels on all sides
and an equipment case with four structure-leveling jacks, four deployable outriggers, and equipment shock protec-
tion (see photo below.) The equipment case contains a 19-inch equipment rack, the Codan VHF repeater, the solar
power subsystem, the meteorological monitoring subsystem and the RF distribution subsystem.
The Codan repeater includes a receiver, transmitter, 30 W power amplifi er operating in the 136–150 MHz band and a
control card. The solar power subsystem is composed of four 83 W solar panels, a 30 A charging controller, two adjust-
able low voltage disconnects and six sealed lead-acid (gelled) batteries. Each solar panel (side-mounted, to maximize
sunlight incidence) provides power to the charging controller and then to the 12 Vdc bus and storage batteries.
Since its fi rst season (1993–1994) of deployment the repeaters have performed fl awlessly and carry both aircraft and
fi eld party communications.
3.1.6 Vehicle Accident in a Valley that has Poor or Inadequate Coverage
Multiple agencies responding to emergency situations such as a car accident in a valley on the highway can encoun-
ter communication challenges from several causes. This type of routine fi rst responder incident quite often happens
in areas that are poorly served by the existing radio infrastructure. As such fi rst responders have diffi culty com-
municating with their peers and support staff. As well, with multiple agencies responding (police, fi re, ambulance,
utilities) there can be challenges in coordinating communications between the groups.
A Transportable Radio can assist with both issues. First a deployable Transportable Radio with radios, antenna and
batteries can be deployed nearby to extend the existing radio network into the valley enabling the agencies to have
full communications back to their dispatch centers and support teams.
Transportable Radios can also be easily confi gured to support the frequencies of multiple agencies enabling all fi rst
responders to use the same Transportable Radio and to have communications amongst themselves through the
Transportable Radio.