PeacekeepingBarrett Communications its pleased to announce a contract extension for the continued in-field support of Barrett HF SSB radio communications equipment and systems currently deployed within the UN humanitarian and peacekeeping theatres of operation globally.

Since 2000, Barrett Communications have provided in excess of 25,000 HF radio systems and equipment to humanitarian and peacekeeping forces in Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East.

As humanitarian and peacekeeping operations staff are regularly transferred and replaced, on-going training and technical support of the communications systems is essential. To assist in the deployments, Barrett have supplied equipment and developed extensive technical and training support systems. Barrett radio systems are known for their ease of use and intuitive design, and together with the provision of tailored and environment specific training enables operators to gain maximum benefit from the radio’s features.

A significant operation for both Peacekeeping and Barrett Communications has been the on-going humanitarian effort in Timor-Leste (East Timor). The Barrett Communications International Support Managers have been instrumental in designing programs to train NGO staff and technicians who have in turn trained their colleagues. Multiple training sessions have been provided over the lifetime
of this operation to ensures the skill level of operators is maintained.

Ben Jackson, international support manager commented: "It is great to see our equipment being used to its full potential…the East Timor operations utilise the Barrett HF email solution which isconstantly sending and receiving emails from remote locations that don’t have any other communication bearers. Barrett vehicle tracking systems are also being used to track each individual vehicle from multiple base station tracking sites in very difficult HF conditions."

Typically HF is used to communicate medium to long range distances, and is often overlooked for reliable short distance or mountainous communication systems. However, incorporating the NVIS antenna into the HF system, reliable coverage in mountainous terrain can be achieved as demonstrated in the success of this and many other peace keeping operations.