On Thursday, June 7th Coquitlam SAR activated a new digital radio repeater on Mount Seymour.
The repeater, designated as the Indian Arm Repeater, is co-located with EHS and North Shore Rescue repeaters, and shares infrastructure (power, antennas). It joins Coquitlam SAR’s two other fixed repeaters (Mariner and Pitt), three portable repeaters, and repeaters operated by Ridge Meadows SAR in extending our communications capabilities in the area. This project was several years in planning and benefited from funding via the Provincial Government and the BC Search and Rescue Association.
The digital repeater extends our network to the north end of Indian Arm, and broadcasts signals to formerly difficult to reach areas on Eagle Ridge, Swan Falls and Granite Falls. The digital component allows the team to track the positions of our field teams in the area via GPS location, and increases the safety of our members.
The project is part of Coquitlam SAR’s multi-year plan to upgrade our digital communications network. Later this summer we’ll be looking at how we can extend the range of this network to the more remote areas in the upper Pitt River valley.
The completion of this project wouldn’t have been possible without the assistance of North Shore Rescue, BC Emergency Health Services, Industry Canada, Rogers Telecomunications, and Dirk de Jager from Chroma Communications.
