Upgrade to Digital Mobile Radio for Shire of Collie approved

The town of Collie (Western Australia) will now recieve an upgrade to a new high-band radio system across all shire vehicles and buildings. The old analog radio system has been phased out by all radio manufacturers, except for one model, due to better quality digital high-band systems on the market and the lack of demand from customers. Director of Development Services Andrew Dover said the new digital system was better than the analog system, as the current one was about 15 years old and requires an upgrade in the future as replacement parts were no longer being made. Dover said the new high-band system with GPS tracking would extend radio coverage, remove some blind spots under the current system, and allow the shire to connect with the Departments of Fire and Emergency Services and Parks and Wildlife through the Western Australian Emergency Radio Network (WAERN). The Shire received five quotes and agreed that WA Communications was the best value for money and met the basic needs of the Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) network, provides integration with the WAERN network and provides better coverage than the existing ageing system.

The plan will see 36 shire vehicles upgraded to the new radio system, seven radio base stations around the shire, five new portable radios used for staff working alone, outside of vehicles and also traffic management during emergencies and one mobile suitcase radio, antenna and transmitter for the building.

https://www.colliemail.com.au/story/5311936/radio-upgrade-will-go-ahead/?cs=5826