About the Trust

Aim

To set up and manage an emergency radio for people, groups, and adventure providers who use the Kaweka Forest Park and the Mohaka River.

The main tower will be placed to allow self radio monitoring for groups. This means the tower site used would cover most of the Greater Hawke's Bay area. It could then be used as a back-up for the Civil Defense (CD) system if required.The aim of the radio is not to replace the Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) or become involved in physical Search and Rescue. We wish to provide a service that could avoid or forestall the use of the PLB and keep base people informed, ie: inform of slow progress, requirement of more equipment or guides and other operational matters. The Radio would then be a back up to the PLB and rescue operations, especially on the river would have communication ability.

The Catalyst

There are more and more groups using the area and incidents are starting to grow in number. When providers assist authorities in rescues we need good communication for safety. We find that groups and providers are using radios that do not reach the areas they visit. Others have no back up or monitoring. With the closing down of Wide Band, and forestry companies switching to digital, their systems are no longer available on an “unofficial basis” as they once were. Investigations and a canvas of groups that may be interest started in 2013. Cost of establishment and other commitments slowed things down. With the advent of a few incidents, rescues and, storm issues, in the last year the discussion around emergency communication gathered steam. The latest investigation has led us into contact with a radio provider that can provide low cost radio using old technology combined with some new thinking that makes the building of an emergency radio possible and effective.

Those Involved

Three years ago We identified 18 schools, 9 groups and clubs and 8 providers that use the area and are still being advised of others. We sent out 35 emails asking for support and received 14 replies (6 schools, 5 providers, and 3 clubs). Some emails appear to be ignored, but I suspect most of these did not reach those meant for them. This required more follow up. All of those who replied have given qualified support – cost being the only cautionary item. Three providers offered to help with permanent monitoring of the emergency channel

Today

We are now sending out 48 emails to schools and groups that have been identified as users of the of the Mohaka and Kaweka coverage area and others who have expressed an interest. Over the last year we have talked to various groups that we have seen on the river. All expressed interest and wish to participate. We have one farm that hope to invest and share one of the repeaters, and we have a Corporate that have suggested we contact them for assistance.

Approach Initial investigation

Three years ago we approached present repeater tower owners to establish coverage from each and whether they are willing to let us “piggy back” on their existing towers. Those approached – Pan Pac, Reyonier, Meridian, and Iwi groups. All agreed in principal to using the towers but we needed to use our own electronics and solar panels, which makes sense. The hard part was testing the viability of each site. We interviewed users of the above radio channels to determine coverage in the ranges and on the river. We were told of coverage in the commercially used areas around where we wish to cover but this was different from where we wished to cover. To be of use, we needed better coverage down in the rivers, and in the gullies in the Kaweka's. We kept searching for a solution.

Current Approach

Latest investigations have found a simple repeater, that is easily erected and maintained, that we can erect where we want and cover specific areas at low cost. These can be linked together to create a network that can be monitored 24/7. We are currently testing a “Test Repeater” that was loaned to us to find the optimum position of each. These repeaters need sites with easy access to keep maintenance costs low. The repeaters are standalone (they will not be affected by a power grid failure). They are solar powered with battery backup. And technology to enhance continued operation in adverse weather conditions. Monitoring of groups will be at the good will of commercial providers as they would be monitoring their own trips anyway. It is possible, at no extra cost, for a monitoring person to turn down a monitoring radio to avoid listening to chatter and yet receive an emergency high volume ring from a button on a calling hand-held that advises a monitoring person that contact is required. The system has also been designed so that groups can self monitor from most of the greater Hawkes Bay area or suitable base camps

Testing

We have been testing the radios capability. We have been loaned a test repeater and have been placing it in positions that we believe are optimal for our purpose. Initial results show that our proposal to establish an emergency radio is not a dream. It can be done efficiently and at low cost. The first test site at Titiokura (red circle on the map) has produced great results and the repeater is now been moved further North (blue circle) to try and alleviate “blind spots” further down the Mohaka. Following tests will be carried out on further sites identified as being useful. We can then plan the radio system with concrete evidence. The Titiokura site reached into Napier (there was a blind spot behind the Bluff hill). It also covered the road all the way out to the Blue Gums Car park in the Kaweka Forest Park and 80% of Whittle road into the Kaweka’s. The site covered all the grade 2 and the upstream parts of the Grade 3. We have to further test the Kaweka walks. So this one site nearly covers the heavier used areas. However blind spots exist. The Waitere site (the blue circle) is looking good in initial testing. Further detailed testing is carrying on at the moment. This remote site will give better coverage to the grade 3 section and connectivity for this section to the Titiokura site to allow monitoring. This site will also give good coverage to the Grade 5 although the nature of that section will mean some blind spots accassionaly. Testing will be on going. The two above sites give great coverage to the areas so far responsible for the most incidents and the higher usage areas. Once these sites are equipped with permanent repeaters testing can be finalised for the Kaweka area as they will give connectivity to a repeater site upstream of the Makahu confluence at a trig station beside the Kaweka Forest Park (the green circle). We will continue to shift and monitor the test repeater to gain the best results. It just takes time and volunteers to walk, drive and kayak the areas we wish to cover when the repeater is in position. Once the Kaweka's site is established we will look at establishing the Kuripapango repeater site (the purple circle). We hope to cover the southern Kaweka's and the Ngaroruru River. However this will take time and connectivity to the repeaters discussed above. The Radio We have decided to use analogue radios for a couple of reasons.

1.The cost of installation is cheaper

2.The power usage is lower

3.Digital signals travel so far and then stop. Analogue go so far and then “tail-off” which means a user can search around for a better contact place which could be only a meter or 2 away.

4.Digital give no tell tail sign of “getting through” to a base radio creating doubts as to whether you are being received. Analogue give a “clunk” as you work the transmit button indicating you have reached a repeater.

5. 3 and 4 above make it more user friendly for the novice operator.

6.We can still use the GPS capability of the hand-held sets when using analogue. This could well be a development at a later time, depending on funding.

Costs

The cost of each repeater is $10,000. Costs and development of the system will depend on funding. The Trust can start with covering the main high usage areas and expand to the lesser used areas as funding allows. However, the costs would be higher as we have to double up on some installation and regulatory costs. The high usage area of the river and the Kaweka's would require 2 repeaters in the first instance, Current tests show that they would create good reception along The Grade 2, Grade 3 and Grade 5 of the Mohaka. The radios would also cover most higher sections on the tracks in the Northern Kaweka Forest Park. Two more repeaters would be installed at the same time if funding is available. Or, installed as usage or demand grows. Testing has shown that a repeater on a high point upstream of the Makahu and above the Mohaka could be necessary to gain valuable connection through the gullies and dead spots in the North Kaweka's and upper reaches of the Mohaka. The last testing will be for coverage of the Ngaruroro catchment and Southern Kaweka walks. We would place a repeater in the Kuripapango Region to enhance that area and give valuable coverage reaching into inland Central Hawkes Bay. Testing of the last 2 sites may have to wait until September as we could be light on the ground before that.

Funding

We have set up a Give a Little page We will continue approaching charitable entities that may help. We are in the process of another approach to the schools to inquire as to whether they have “old boy/girl” networks that may help. We will continue to talk with Councils and Civil Defence for assistance and how we can tie in with their present communication abilities. We will continue contact with Corporate sponsors Commercial providers will also be asked to pay a fee to use the system. This will be aimed at maintenance funding to ensure sustainability. The Trustees Norm Brown ... Mohaka Rafting (rafting) Craig Skeet ...... One Cast Adventures (fly-fishing) Terry Wyatt ..... Napier Boys High School (outdoor education) Questions For questions or offers of assistance please contact. Norm Brown 021 825 857 or Norm@mohakarafting.co.nz Donations Donations can be made via Give a Little : https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/mohaka-and-kaweka-emergency-radio-trust Or, Direct to Kiwi Bank Account # 38 9018 513366 00. Please contact us if a deposit is made so we can issue a receipt. Charity Registration Number CC52515