RADIO NETWORK
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” – Coretta Scott King
KFW RADIO NETWORK
The success, or failure, of managing any incident on the ground will depend on our communications systems. If we cannot communicate effectively with all role players, responders, incident management, and so on, then we will have a circus and a potentially hazardous situation at hand.
A radio at your bedside, or in your hand, during a crisis, is by far the best emergency communications device available. Whether you wish to activate your silent panic alarm feature (programmed to the radio itself), or shout for help – be it from your bedroom, your office, in the car, while around the braai, or even on your tractor in the field, the radio is without doubt the fastest tool in raising the alarm and contacting persons who can assist you immediately.
The Klapmuts Farm Watch makes use of a digital system, with our own repeater located strategically to serve our members in the Klapmuts Sector 2 Rural Area and further afield (when necessary). There are various groups or channels, which are programmed onto our repeater and radios, which serve the various aspects of our radio network. The primary channel, being the Emergency channel, which is monitored 24/7 by all members. The remaining channels are available to be used for communications during incidents and operations in progress, and there are other channels available for our patrollers, general communications, other agencies, etc. Our simplex frequency is also useful during more localized incidents.
Whilst having all of this tech available to our members is great, it has to be backed up with reliable and solid management on the other side. In the absence of a dedicated control room, we are extremely grateful to the volunteers and members who monitor our radio frequency on a permanent basis. These are the individuals who will activate the appropriate response to your call for help. (Once your radio application is approved, you will receive a radio call sign and other important info related to your radio).
With this in mind, it is expected that each and every member keeps their radio switched on all of the time, especially during the night. Everyone is in this together – we need to know when one of our fellow farm watch members is calling for help.
A disciplined approach to membership of the Klapmuts Farm Watch Radio Network is key to ensuring that high standards are maintained, in terms of good radio etiquette and protocol. Members who abuse the system could find themselves being deleted remotely from the network. Daily radio checks are encouraged. Your monthly membership fee enables you to join the network. Apart from purchasing your radio, there are no other fees involved. Huge thanks to our current radio owners who have assisted in making our radio network and operations something that we can be really proud of as normal civilians and volunteers!
A disciplined approach to membership of the Klapmuts Farm Watch Radio Network is key to ensuring that high standards are maintained, in terms of good radio etiquette and protocol. Members who abuse the system could find themselves being deleted remotely from the network.
Daily radio checks are encouraged. Your monthly membership fee enables you to join the network. Apart from purchasing your radio, there are no other fees involved. Huge thanks to our current radio owners who have assisted in making our radio network and operations something that we can be really proud of as normal civilians and volunteers!