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One of our prime skill is the provision of reliable radio
communications. To this end we make use of a number of radio channels and facilities: TAC 1 - VHF Hi-Band Simplex TAC 2 & 3 - VHF Hi-Band Communal Repeaters situated at the Hansekop high site in the Hottentots-Holland mountain range. TAC 4 - VHF Hi-Band Communal Repeater situated at the Simonsberg high site. TAC 5 - VHF Hi-Band Communal Repeater situated at the Hawequas high site above Wellington. EMS - VHF Hi-Band Multi-Repeater and Simplex channels operated by the Emergency Medical Services of the Western Cape. FARMWATCH - VHF Hi-Band Simplex channel linked to ZERO 2 via remote linked base stations. WSAR - Wilderness Search & Rescue Simplex channel. Radio Equipment:
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 | Unit members are dispatched and co-ordinated from ZERO 2,
the 24 hour Farmwatch control room in Somerset West. There is a GM300 operating on
the TAC channels as well as our telephone (021) 851 3559. |
| Group and individual paging of Unit members is accomplished
from a PC
connected to an SMS system via a FastNet
radio modem. ZERO 2, in addition to paging Delta Search & Rescue, are also responsible for paging the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) coast watch members. |
| An emergency VHF radio (a Motorola M208) is installed at the Landdroskop hut
on the Boland Hiking Trail in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve. This is to enable
hikers in distress to summon help, and has been instrumental in the saving of a number of
lives over the past 18 years. Unit members, backed up by WSAR are on standby on a
roster basis to assist with calls from Landdroskop. |
| Due to the amount of SAR activity in the Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve, we have, with the assistance of Cape Nature, established a temporary Base at the Nuweberg Nature Conservation Station (Call Sign ZERO 3). |
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A set of
GP380 UHF portable radios have recently been donated to us by Motorola. These
radios will be issued during large or complex search and rescue or disaster
incidents where there is a requirement to control a large number of teams.
A communications plan employing the use of discreet tactical groups can now be
employed, thus facilitating a more efficient command and control structure
during incidents.