Council radio system to be upgraded

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 443, 14 July 1992, Page 3

Council radio system to be upgraded

Ruapehu District council workers need a new FM radio communications system, councillors have been told. But investigations into using cellular network telephones has been suggested. The council heard that at present three systems are in operation. One is a 'Simplex' channel for use by Taumarunui reserves and services staff; an AM system with transmitters on Erua and Hikurangi; and a Civil Defence FM system with a transmitter on Tuhua.

In a report to the council, director John Murrihy said the AM channel was 'relatively out of date' and did not provide sufficient district wide coverage because of signal strength and transmitter location. The Civil Defence system has only limited coverage because it has only one transmitter. The CD system has been used by the council for the past 12 months to test its coverage and to see whether an FM signal would meet council's requirements.

The civil defence system has limited coverage in the south of the district, said the report. A new FM system would provide adequate RT coverage throughout the district and would also return the CD system to its proper purpose. The report did not make any suggestions regarding upgrading the Civil Defence system coverage in the south of the district (Waimarino). The cost of two transmitters and linking

equipment was set at $28,400. Councillor Bill Peach suggested a much cheaper option would be to use Telecom's cell phone network, but council heard coverage for the network was limited in many northern parts of the district and some southern parts. Cr Peach said the option should still be investigated. He said Telecom could be encouraged to improve its coverage. Taken to task Cr Don Lawson said

someone should be taken to task over the council' s radio systems. He said the council had bought an out-of-date system from a previous owner who was ready to throw it out, and that the council was using the Civil Defence system when it should be reserved for emergencies. Mr Murrihy told the council they had Ministry of Civil Defence approval to use the system, as it tested the system and helped find out coverage of it. He said the purchase of

the AM system was soon after the amalgamation and it did not involve 'vast amounts of money'. He said the de-

cision was made knowing it was a stop-gap solution until the council settled into its operation.