Monday 26 January 2009

It’s good to talk.

The Coastguard’s planning application to ‘Install a 12m high pole with 1.5m high VHF dipole aerial antenna’ at the back of our new coastguard rescue station has been approved. Details here:

http://www.purbeck.gov.uk/Planning/Web%20Importer%20Attachments/34080/0000D5C8.PDF

A full consultation had been undertaken by the planning case officer, Mrs Drane, who notified neighbours and Swanage Town Council. It looks like no objections were raised and she kindly recommended that it be granted approval; thanks.

The pole is to provide the station with VHF radio communications. Initially it was thought that a smaller whip antenna much like that on our current station would provide radio coverage, but the location of the station has meant the need for the pole.

To be fair the antenna does not receive a lot of use other than in an emergency situation. This is normally confined to the 2-3 minutes when the team arrive on station and during the moments it takes to organise the team, seek further details from the ops room and get the rescue truck and team on the road. Once on the road we can use the VHF in the truck or our handhelds.

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