Mounted rangers tests in control
Mounted rangers radio testing operations took place recently.
ALL is going according to plan for the mounted rangers. Team captain Cherie Cawood will bring her six horses to her new home and will be looking at the proposed route of the first outride through the forest. Richard Hancox, chairman of the mounted rangers said through research and introduction by treasurer Birgit Kaiser, Brendan Smith of iMvula arranged for a test of a pair of two-way radios which were supplied by DR Communications cc on Thursday. These are powerful, top of the range and require a licence for operation.
“With help from a member of Everton Conservancy committee who uses this type of radio in his work and using his home as a base station, a total of 47 sites were tested.
“The topography is not radio-friendly in terms of line of sight transmission. The decisions to be made include whether to use high quality equipment with booster stations to cover the difficult valley areas, or to have the two sets always within line of sight short distance range,” he said.
The latter option is said to be less expensive and does not need a licence to operate. Use of such equipment would require the two operators of the radios to remain within sight of each other to ensure the safe conduct of a patrol exercise.
“The area covered today was the whole of Everton, the section to the north of the M13 known as Gillitts Park and into Springside / Stonewall Road in Hillcrest, and part of Kloof eastwards from Hillbrow to Glenart and Umbulane Roads. There was no interference at 22 of the total 47 stations, 13 signals were distorted and there was no contact at the remaining 12 sites.
“The decision at this stage is to ask iMvula to supply a pair of two-way radios at the lower end of the cost and power range to test the direct line-of-sight type of operation,” said Hancox.
