Closed Road Cycle Race

On the 15th May we sponsored an 81 mile cycle challenge which took place on traffic-free roads among the stunning scenery of Highland Perthshire.

The event was open to individuals between the ages of 18 and 80. The race day was Sunday 15th May and the race started at 06.45am.

Etape Caledonia is Britain's first closed road race open to the general public and it offers the cyclists closed roads to cycle on in safety and has become Scotland's biggest cycling festival.

History on Etape Caledonia

Etape is the name for a stage in as in a stage of the Tour de France cycle race, Caledonia refers to Scotland - this is how the name came about for this cycle race and quite fitting it is indeed!

The Course

For those who want the marathon length equivalent course there is the 83 mile (134 Km) route which takes you from Pitlochry to Tummel, around Loch Rannoch, around the side of the majestic mountain called Schiehallion (the fairy mountain), down to the Loch Tay and along Strathtay back to Pitlochry.


Communication Equipment

We supplied the cyclists and event staff with Inter-linked digital repeaters via microwave links. Engineers arrived on site 6 days before the race to prepare the radio systems and check coverage to make sure full coverage is achieved before race start day. Through the next 6 days engineers had to challenge extreme weather and terrain conditions to achieve their goal.

View the Photo Gallery of this Highland Perthshire race

The British Army Telemark Association is once again looming for the 2011 season, yet again Communication Specialists will be sponsoring this event with our equipment of 15 two way radios.

We sponsored the Combined Winter Sports which was held in Meribel, France on the 2nd - 6th February 2010.

The number of Telemark skiers across the Services is growing. Whilst many are „old hands‟ with arctic warfare experience, an increasing number come from pure alpine or ski-mountaineering backgrounds; whatever their history, they all share a passion for Telemark skiing.

The Army Telemark Ski Association (ATSA) was formed in 2007 to gather like-minded people together for racing and further development of the sport. Now in its fourth season, ATSA is the acknowledged heart of Army and Service Telemark skiing.




For the Alpine skiers, the Army will again be looking to exert their domination at team and individual level. Last year they were chased all the way by the RAF!

2011 Telemark Event Dates

Army Championships (Rauris, 8-19 Jan 11)
World Cup (Rauris, 21-22 Jan 11)
Inter Services (Meribel, 29 Jan - 05 Feb 11)

As usual, entry is also open to RN and RAF skiers and UK civilians. Novice telemarkers are welcome. BFBS Sport

The Championship comprises three types of races:

1. Classic. The cornerstone of Telemark racing: a course of up to 40 gates, with a number of features unique to Telemark such as the Reipeløkke, a jump and a skating section. Top racers will complete the course in around two minutes. One run only.

2. Sprint Classic. A shorter, more spectator-friendly, version of the Classic. Two runs.

3. Giant Slalom. A more traditional race format, with up to 40 gates and a jump. Two runs.

4. Mountain Race. A team or individual race, with a ‘Le Mans’ start. Racers use skins to make their way uphill (and off piste) around a turning mark and then back downhill via some control gates, to finish near the start.

Telemark turns must be made through all gates, except where there are yellow flags. Time penalties apply.

Reipeløkke: A banked 360° turn.
Skating: Flat or slightly uphill and roughly 1/3 of the race time.
Jump: 25-40m of ‘air’. Time penalties are awarded for failing to clear the distance line.

For further information about the British Army Telemark Skiing event please got to ArmyNet

Combined Services Winter Sports

We sponsored the Combined Winter Sports which was held in Meribel, France on the 2nd - 6th February 2010. Our involvement was to provide communications for the whole event so the skiers, commentators and event management could keep in contact with one another, without costly mobile phone bills at the end!

Portable Motorola Radios

For the Alpine skiers, the Army will again be looking to exert their domination at team and individual level. Last year they were chased all the way by the RAF!

It is also a big year for the Navy who are hoping to give some of their young up coming skiers the a good test, in events they have struggled with over the past few years.

This time as well as the Downhill, Super G Giant Slalom and Slalom events there will be a fifth race the SC Slalom, designed to give the speedsters and slalom experts an equal chance of success.

The presence of the "Battle Back" competitors was also be much looked forward to. They are hoping to use the championships as a springboard for future Winter Paralympics ambitions.

Snowboarding continues to grow in popularity and a record number of forces competitors are expected in Meribel. The snowboard park in Meribel is one of the best dedicated tracks in the Alps and offers plenty of challenges for all the competitors. The main event remains the Snowboard Cross with thrills and spills of racing on the tight track. But another great attraction is the Parallel Giant Slalom held under the floodlights, which adds extra spice. The Slope Style is the final event, which allows the riders to show off their skills with the board to the full.

The event is over a course of 5 days.

Meribel is once again pulling out the stops for the top service skiers and snowboarders.

Go into any of the bars and restaurants here and the prices hit you between the eyes! One bar was advertising its prices on labels on the tables. A pint of beer 4 Euros, in Happy Hour! The shops are as friendly and helpful as ever.

A link to the whole event and the bloggers is listed below, we hope you enjoyed the event and look forward to next year!

BFBS Sport

Home Office Scientific Development Exhibition

Communication Specialists and CommVert will be attending the Home Office Scientific Devlopment Exhibition on the 16th - 19th March in Farnborough. We will be on Stand U28 if you want to come and pay us a visit :)

Background Information
The HOSDB 2010 exhibition is the UK's only secure event for displaying the latest security equipment for law enforcement and public security. It focuses on the four key Home Office business areas:
Crime and Policing
Security and Counter Terrorism
Identity Management and Border Security

To meet the demand from exhibitors and visitors HOSDB 2010 is moving to Farnborough in Hampshire - just over half an hour away from central London by train and from Heathrow airport by road. The new venue offers a secure facility with ample on-site parking and local hotel accomodation.

In 2009 visitors from 44 countries attended, with 230 exhibitors. This year HOSDB and the organisers, A|D|S have joined forces with UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) to invite senior policing and government security representatives from around the world. They will be hosted on a formal government-to-government basis.

There will be around 3,000 security products in over 150 different categories on show with products ranging from microchips to body armour.

Senior government officials will be running a series of one hour workshops to provide briefing on key areas of government programmes - open to all exhibitors at the event.

In recognition of the increased level of formal overseas delegations the event will run for three days.

Because of the specialist nature of this exhibition, entry criteria is strict. Visitors must be employees or agents of the police service, government security and law enforcement agencies - plus military and some select providers of Critical National Infrastructure.

For more information on visiting or exhibiting contact Ruediger Kanne of CommVert or call him on +44(0)1256 766 600.

Visitors may also register online for the HOSDB exhibition

Radio Communication Systems and Equipment

It is a matter of fact that this world is fast paced. There are many things which are highly responsible in order to make this world reach that kind of pace. One such thing which has played a vital role in this case is the two way radio communication, which is possible with the radio communication systems and equipments. Well, actually speaking, we have to thank two way radio communication, as it will help us to communicate with people who are far away from us. In addition, you will also enjoy a kind of ease and clarity when you are communicating.

The two way radio communication has helped people or companies to be highly benefited. In fact, it has made a very complicated thing to look so simple, without wasting much money as well as time. The two radio communication systems and equipments will help all sorts of employees to be in touch with their fellow mates at any instant. The radio equipments are out there to set a milestone in world of communication. Since the radio communication system is enabled with two way radio communicating, employees can easily be in touch. In fact, you will find many huge industries, which are well equipped with radio communicating systems in order to guide as well as to manage their employees. Since the supervisors cannot afford to monitor and guide their employee being in the same place every time, the two way radio communicating will get their work done with the comfort of their cabin. Hence, it helps to get the task done without any sort of risks and tensions.

It is great to see that there are several companies out there both online as well as offline, which are offering these systems for hiring during the special events. You can look forward to hiring these systems for any special events. These companies will also offer amazing discounts for those willing to hire or purchase radio communicating systems. It is always advised to go through the online reviews of the companies offering these services in order to pick the right company. However, for those who are looking to get the radio communication systems installed to their office or homes in order to enjoy a great convenience, it is always advised to get them installed with the guidance of a systems expert. If you call them before and let them know the purpose of which system you are installing, they will choose a right system considering various factors such as the frequency required, power sources available etc. They will get started with the installation work as soon as you finalize the deal with them. Since they are also wireless, it will not be that difficult to maintain these systems.

In the security point of view, no provider will guarantee you that kind of security, which radio communication systems/equipments do. You can look forward to getting your business or house monitored 24 hours only by making the most of these systems.

Botswana: HF fixed radios

Since its independence in 1966, Botswana is experiencing harmony, stability and excellent economic growth. The commercially exploited diamonds found in Botswana is a source of its economic and geological wealth. Many foreign investors and social workers have shown great interest in the growth of this country. The need for powerful networking and communication is thus the need of the hour in Botswana. HF fixed radios, and vehicle mount communication systems are of great importance to workers who have to go deep into the country side.

The HF fixed radios come in different models according to the usage and the need. In desert areas or in mines communication is impossible without the help of powerful network systems. Governments as well as private organizations are always looking for flexible, cost effective and reliable communication systems for remote access mostly during times of emergency. High frequency radios are preferred from normal networks for these urgent and reliable communication needs.

Instant voice, instant messaging, email, fax and GPS navigation are some of the features of HF Fixed radio and vehicle mounted communication systems. Community workers and miners who have to travel to remote areas in Botswana will find this HF fixed radio reliable and really very useful in times of emergency. The government and other organizations need the vehicle mounted HF radios to keep up the constant and consistent network for transfer of important data and messages.

Fixed base stations are used for controlling the mobile and portable communication networks. HF fixed radio network need minimum infrastructure and hence considered as best suited during times of disaster and emergency. The cost for this form of network is also very nominal when compared to other communication network systems. HF radios are very tough so as to withstand any extreme condition and are also very cost effective.

The fact that the military uses these HF radios shows that this communication system has secured and reliable networks wherein the data and the voice messages are encrypted and secured using the latest technologies. Simultaneous communication among a group or many operators is possible in HF fixed radios. This is one reason why it is said to be most effective for disaster control and management as it can easily and quickly connect with any number of operators simultaneously.

HF radio base stations can also connect to VHF and UHF radio systems. It can also work along cellular phones and land line telephones also. It is simple to operate and can be carried and operated at any place or location with less hassle. This is what has made the HF fixed radio base stations and vehicle mounted networks a necessity in Botswana. Economically developing country like Botswana can rely on such high frequency, cost effective communication systems for all its development and emergency needs. The government and the military will find it very useful during riot and disaster control. Local police and security services can use these HF radios to control crimes in the country.

Botswana Tourist Information

Command Control Systems

Can you ever imagine a world without communication? Communication happens everywhere. Right from the mother earth to the animals, birds and humans, all communicate their messages in one form or another. Communication need not be in words or in a language. Any sound, data, form or character through which the message to be conveyed is transmitted is called a communication process. Today, human modes of communication have grown in leaps and bounds and hardly is it possible to set aside our mobiles or the internet. The whole human security today is based on the effective communication system like the command control systems used in the military.

What is a command control system?
What are the significant features of this command control system?
Global command and control systems are nothing but a collection of SOA systems. It was originally developed with the view to replace the worldwide military command and control system. It is used by US navy and Marine Corps, US army and Air force. Some significant features include intelligence analysis, combat operations support, radar and ground weapons analysis, targeting etc using the web services. It can also provide terrain and weather forecast. Further advance in this technology might enable chat, emails and newsgroups as well.

The command and control system uses IP based connectivity or NIPRNet, JWICS etc. this system can collect nearly 94 sources of different data’s. It is trusted as one of the best communication system for the enhanced security purposes. The nation’s safety lies in the performance of these control system as a slight fault might endanger the nation’s security. The data or message to be delivered must be confidential, fast and immediate. Thus an effective system which can provide all the three functions should be considered and the best. The military, air force and navy should also be able to co ordinate their action in times of war. So an effective system to combine and combat the three sectors is imperative.

High command officers always need to share high security messages or data. The quickest way to transmit these messages with minimal loss or theft is through the command control system. The system should be very strongly protected to face the threats from hackers and deadly viruses as the system uses the web services. It must provide accurate reports and the analysis should be true and dependable. If the chat and email options are provided then the communication within the army or navy is always open and inter connected for quick data or message transfer. It can easily identify the radar signals or the approaching security threat in no time. The message thus delivered will be very useful to protect the country and the people in it. The command and control system is thus dependable, reliable, trust worthy, highly rated for performance and can be used any where and every where. The communication systems are updated regularly and newer options and features are also introduced to keep in pace with the changing times.