Motorola Handheld Radios Lend Hand at Basildon Festive Switch On

Hundreds of people turned out to watch X Factor’s Che Chesterman flick the switch, accompanied by the town’s mayor and the cast of the local pantomime, Sleeping Beauty. Aside from the lights, the crowds were treated to entertainment including fairground rides, Christmas stalls and live music.

For Basildon Town Council, organising and running the yearly event is a major logistical operation. From setting up the lights and the stage show to stewarding and security, coordination is needed across a large area of the town, making communication vital.

Extended Network

The council contacted Brentwood to request a two way radio system that would provide reliable, clear coverage throughout the town during preparations and on the night.

After assessing the site, we supplied a fleet of Motorola handheld DP2400 radios. The DP2400 is a modern portable digital radio handset offering high quality audio quality and extended battery life. For the purposes of the Christmas lights switch on, these Motorola two way radios also offered easy switching between group and private calling, which would allow different groups of users to communicate as necessary without having to broadcast to the whole network.

We also recognised that coverage range would be crucial to ensure that organisers and security staff could use their handsets from anywhere in the town. We therefore also supplied a Motorola DM4400 Base Station and DR3000 Repeater unit to boost the coverage area.

The Motorola DM4400 is a powerful vehicle mobile two way radio. With a large network range and capacity to connect with 15 separate site networks, its mobility is perfect for covering a wide areas. For this event we supplied the DM4400 with its own power block to convert it to a base station and a Magmount antenna.

The DR3000 processes and amplifies radio signals to boost range, and we supplied this with a telescopic Endfed antenna to get the antenna as high up as possible, again maximising coverage.

Secure Frequencies

Basildon Town Council also chose to purchase exclusive use of secure frequencies on a technically assigned license. This type of license means that only the holder can use two way radio on particular frequencies within a specified area.

For the event organisers, this provided reassurance that audio quality would not be affected by interference from other two way radio users in a busy town centre, such as taxi firms and door supervisors. It also meant that their lines of communication were secure, and no one else could listen in.

Brentwood Communications has been a leading supplier of Motorola handheld radios and other two way radios for more than 40 years. We cater for events of all types and sizes, and whatever your requirements, we have the expertise to meet your needs. Give our friendly teams a call on 01245 403520.