CD radio coverage okay

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 404, 21 July 1992, Page 3

CD radio coverage okay

Waimarino's radio communication coverage for civil defence work is adequate, said Ruapehu District Council civil defence officer Karen Ngati. In a report on radio coverage for council cp-

erations, council officer John Murrihy said the civil defence coverage was limited in the Waimarino. But Mrs Ngati said the radio links between the ciT'il defence area head-

quarters at Raetihi, Ohakune and Taumarunui were 'very good'. She said there were problem areas when out in vehicles in some areas, but that these problems were minor. She said civil defence operators could switch to a Simplex channel to communicate with the bases if the CD channel blacked out in any spot. Mrs Ngati said it was nqt possible to ensure absolute coverage of the area because of the terrain.

Much of the Desert Road was out of the coverage area, but as there were no houses within the area this was not a great problem. Pipiriki and many parts of the river were also out of range, but an arrangement with the Department of Conservation has been made to use their radio links in the event of a civil defence emergency. There were many areas in and around Orautoha with blind spots, but radio contact with the base

sets could be made by driving a few kilometres in most cases. Mrs Ngati said also that the regional council was installing a VHS network to link the district's civil defence headquarters with those of all districts in the Manawatu Wanganui Region.