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For over 35 years, DCRS has been one of the UK’s leading provider of powerful two-way radio and communication systems. With head offices based in Cambridgeshire and Chesterfield, we are proud pioneers dedicated to helping organisations make lasting connections throughout the country. Our expertise in this space equips us to serve businesses from a vast range of industries, providing them with tailored solutions – one of such being RG Abrey Farms, who were having difficulties due to outdated communications systems.
The Analogue Solution, which RG Abrey Farms had been using for a while, stopped being reliable and had been declining for quite some time because it could not withstand the environment it had been put in, as well as the impact of being used on a day-to-day basis. This made working life and communication more difficult for all the workers and management included. The farm team decided to find a new two-way radio solution, which would provide everyone with reliable coverage in varying terrains and buildings, as well as mobility and long range.
Daily life on the farm is busy, with everyone having to stay efficient and work on a tight schedule, with no place for poor communication systems. RG Abrey Farms, just like anyone in the agriculture sector, had to find a new radio system, which would not only ensure, but also increase safety, efficiency, and productivity and have a long-enough battery life to cope with the working hours.
RG Abrey Farms are fresh produce sites located in the heart of the Brecklands, Norfolk. With an annual production in excess of 100,000 tonnes of root vegetables, supplied directly to major multiples, packers, wholesale and processing outlets. RG Abrey Farms also complements the produce rotation with other arable crops, thus ensuring that their sites are a constant hive of activity, in need of finding the right two-way radio solution, which will keep every individual on the farm grounds connected and safe.
With two sites set 14km apart, the team needed a solution that could help them connect both estates together. Wretham covers almost 6000 acres and Euston Estate 10,500 acres, with over 50 full-time and additional seasonal employees, the estates’ management team found it challenging to establish efficient and reliable communication as well as the need to ensure that every single worker adheres to stringent Health and Safety laws.
A reliable two-way radio system is crucial in the agricultural sector, as a lot of the workers work most of their work hours on their own. Physical work and operating heavy machinery also highly increases the risk of serious injury, especially if any health and safety breaches occur. Finding reliable and efficient two-way radios improves the safety of farm workers and allows quick response times to any issues lone workers may bump into.
Once preliminary meetings were completed and all requirements clarified, DCRS’s engineering team carried out site verification services (radio propagation tests) to check the coverage for each radio site and its continuity. The data collated helped determine the range, coverage and grade of service achievable, ensuring high-quality and tailored results, which would not be affected by the farm’s terrain and size.
A verification of the antenna type, height, tilt, and clearance for each radio site was also carried out to ensure it conformed with OFCOM regulations for the installation area. Based on their findings, the DCRS team recommended a Motorola Solutions MOTOTRBO™ Digital Repeater IP Site Connect Solution, which would ensure the reliability and strength of the signal.
For the tractors and associated farming vehicles, RG Abrey opted for individually Fixed Mobiles ID MOTOTRBO™ DM4400 & DM4600, to make it easy for the estates’ team to call them personally or within their particular user group. As the staff roam between the two sites they are always within a radio coverage area and should they have an emergency every mobile is programmed with an emergency button, which makes it easy for any lone worker to call for assistance/help.
The installation of the MOTOTRBOâ„¢ DM Fixed Mobiles was smooth and seamless. The process was carried out by the experienced DCRS Senior Engineers during non-peak hours on the farm site, to ensure minimal impact on the farming staff, their tight schedules and the duties they had to conduct.
The estates’ team were issued with MOTOTRBO™ DP4800 hand portable radios. With an IP57 rating, these walkie-talkies were ideal for the harsh environment they were set to work on a daily basis. Also, thanks to the Motorola Accelerated Life Test they can withstand drops, knocks, the elements and whatever else is thrown at them.
Programming of the hand-portable two-way radios was personally discussed to maximise their investment. A full host of features were agreed upon, including – an emergency button, lone worker, text messaging, individual calling, and the ability to remotely enable and disable and radio check, in case one of the users is not responding to their messages.
RG Abrey Farms making the decision to work with DCRS helped them find the perfect communication solution. MOTOTRBO™ IP Site Connect removed all the issues other technologies had put in their way, such as physical barriers, manual intervention for roaming, limited coverage or lost functionality, without having to worry about the monthly service and access fees. The farm team’s chosen two-way radio solution has provided them with increased safety, signal security, efficiency and ease of communication.
Stable and effective two-way radio transmission is extremely important for anyone working on a farm. Many staff members work on their own most of their work hours, which increases their risk of suffering from an injury. To provide a safer work environment it is crucial to replace outdated and poorly performing communication systems on time. A durable and water-resistant efficient two-way radio such as Motorola DP4400 is the perfect upgrade from any old radio system.
The Motorola DP4400 two-way radio provides superior performance, stability and flexibility for users on the go. Its Bluetooth audio capability eliminates any need for cables while its emergency button feature clears other channels to transmit urgent signals with priority as soon as it is clicked. Moreover, this reliable device boasts maximum battery life of up to 28 hours so users have access during their shifts without needing frequent recharging – ensuring smooth communication even in times of emergencies.
To learn more about DCRS’s two-way radio systems for the agriculture sector, contact us today.
