This is a typical radio owned by many members, this is the “Swiss Army Knife” of radios giving great flexibility, It is a radio installed in both Cardiff Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council Emergency control rooms.
This is a wide frequency band radio with HF / VHF / UHF voice and data capabilities both analogue and D-Star (Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio).
Having HF (High Frequencies 3Mhz to 30Mhz) allows a reach beyond the UK. RAYNET assists our international counterparts in many countries following earthquakes, tsunami’s etc, with comms assistance and likewise for our needs.
Locally we undertake annual tests on HF. Our national organisation carries out weekly testing of various HF frequencies and modes of communication.
Our annual HF test makes use of Near Incidence Vertical Skywave (NVIS) techniques using specially configured antennas that are often used by the military, and we can provide interoperability with the military on the 60m (5Mhz band) and test these frequencies quite often.
VHF / UHF is used locally both on analogue, digital and data modes.
Where resilience is not a factor, internet features can also enhance our services by providing beyond local comms, wide area inter-county, intercountry and global comms. Space communications on timed passes are also sometimes possible too, including the use of the international space station.