Radio Communication In State Forests Improved

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28399, 4 October 1957, Page 17

Radio Communication In State Forests Improved

Radio installations operated by the Forest Service total 201—70 fixed and 131 mobile stations, states the annual report of the Director of Forestry iMr A. R. Entrican). Eleven stations formerly operated by the Noxious Animals Division have now been taken over by the service. A total of 76 new mobile radio telephone sets were brought into service this year, to replace a quantity of war-time equipment. The extended range of mobile communications, the simplicity of operation, the .improvement in reliability and the increase in staff confidence in radio communications has greatly increased the efficiency of the radio network for

fire control and administration, says the report. Further improvements are expected next year with the delivery of 124 more mobile sets and eight Australian made control-station sets. Progress with the development by another New Zealand manufacturer of a pack-type portable set suitable for use m forests indicates that there is every prospect of deliveries in quantity next year. It is planned to replace the remaining obsolete radio equipment in the coming year and extensions to the radio network are foreseen tor 1959-60. the report says.