| Remote Area Communications

After the 1991 tragedy at the remote Aboriginal community of Punmu the Alexander Inquiry recommended supply of adequate radio ommunication technology to such communities. RADG was selected by the State Government to manage the purchase, supply and training of communication equipement to the communities. The need for appropriate technology in communication arises in two areas. Firstly, the equipment available is often not durable
enough for the climate and social environment in which it must be used.

Particularly, problems have been expressed with radio microphones which tend to malfunction frequently. Secondly, the network or call system must be developed to match the movement of the people, and their needs. For example, if party lines are more useful than many individual community lines in one area, licences should be granted for single frequencies covering a large area. Thus members of the community could move around a wide area and always have a chance of connecting with another radio operator on that frequency. Part of any such network would also be ensuring that any emergency or general-use frequency is monitored at all times. This could be done through recording systems at fixed base stations, or rosters. RADG delivered HF radio equipment and training to remote communities across the Kimbereley and Western Desert regions.