Dutch test report for TETRA radios completed
The study shows that the quality and range of the DMO (TETRA) radio's since 2010 clearly has been increased and that the quality and range of analog radios is....
At the meeting of the Board of Fire Chiefs (RBC) on the 18 January 2013 the report "Radio Testing 2012" was set. This report contains the results of field testing digital radios, by the C2000 Fire Steering Committee. This testing was conducted to understand the main features of the current radios.. Based on the findings of the report, the regions will sharpen their demand for a tender.
Since 2009 the NVBR / Fire Netherlands, is actively mapping of the solutions to the problems encountered while using the Tetra radios in the DMO position. With this background and the fact that a large quantity of radios will be replaced, the C2000 Steering Committee decided to field tests the digital handheld radios. These tests were carried out as part of the Improvements project C2000 Fire. The aim of the field test was to gain insight into the main properties of the current range of object radios.
In the months, July to September 2012, 26 radios for firefighters where investigated. This research concerns the assessment of the range and sound quality in two practical situations, the ease of use (look & feel) and the technical qualities of the radios. In the test are both digital and analog radios involved.
There where two digital radio technologies tested: Tetra and DMR (Digital Mobile Radio). The study shows that the quality and range of the DMO (TETRA) radios since 2010 clearly has been increased and that the quality and range of analog radios is not better than the digital versions. It also appears that the range in open field is no longer an issue anymore.
The RBC has decided, based on the research, to hold on to the choice of radios based on TETRA technology and also will further investigate the application of object radios based on the DMR technology.
At C2000 the regions themselves should make the decision to replace their radios. The period of implementation of the new radios therefore varies by region.
Portfolio Holder C2000 in the Board of Fire Chiefs, Johan Postma: "The tests have shown that the current range of object radios performs satisfactorily. The Fire Netherlands therefore is convinced that the technical problems as with the old fire radios belong to the past ".
Besides solving the technical problems, the C2000 Fire Steering comittee also improves the teaching and learning material, adjusting the fleet maps and procedures for the use of communication.
Source: Nieuwsbank
