by Don DeRiggs 23.NOV.07

The Rainbow Radio League(RRL) has added yet another emergency communications system in a continuing project to link NEMO with all vulnerable communities in SVG with wireless radio equipment. On this occasion, the radio equipment was financed by the National Commercial Bank (NCB).{{more}}

The equipment includes a modern multi mode, multi band HF SSB transceiver, automatic antenna tuner and regulated power supply. The radio can also be powered by a 12 volt DC car or truck battery which makes the system ideal for emergency operations.

The equipment and antennas were installed by Donald De Riggs, Director/Secretary of the RRL, with assistance from members of the Union Island Disaster Management Committee (UIDMC), while other community spirited persons donated sand, aggregate and welded brackets on the antenna poles free of cost.

The installation covered a 2-day period while a training session was held on Sunday, November 18, which was followed immediately by a brief handing over ceremony. Andrene Hazell, NCB Union Island branch manager handed over the radio equipment to Standford Coy, chairman of the UIDMC.

According to the Director of the RRL the installation is not complete but sufficient to stay in contact with territories outside Union Island. He went on to say that renewable energy devices like solar panels are necessary to charge deep cycle batteries which will complete the installation, which would make the operation more reliable, especially if the commercial supply of electricity is disrupted for an extended period of time. De Riggs also noted that when interfaced with a computer, pictures can be transmitted wirelessly with the existing equipment which is especially useful to confirm reports of damage.