Exercise Polly 19th October 2008

 

Objective: To test V/UHF communications across Zone 4

 

Within Essex, a network of cross-band repeaters was created to allow radio communications from the emergency planning centre at County Hall Chelmsford to the entire coastline.

 

A UHF link was operated from Chelmsford to repeaters at Bradwell-on-sea, Burnham on Crouch and Hadleigh Country Park.  Each of these sites then simultaneously re-transmitted the signals using dedicated VHF channels.  

 

A VHF 'Main net' operated Zone wide for dissemination of information.

The placement of the repeaters, allowed all stations to monitor all communications county wide.

 

Under the direction of 'Raynet Control', all mobile stations were requested to attend multiple locations to test communications. 

A conscious effort was made during the planning stage of the exercise to limit the use of satellite navigation devices by members during this event, therefore all locations were given by National Grid References.  Unfortunately, a number of mobiles forgot to bring their OS maps. Ahh!!

 

Areas identified for future training includes:-

 

1.     Navigation using maps and national grid references.

2.     Use of message forms.