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Communication Services

FS120501

(Published January 1999, last reviewed with no updated 2017)

Scout Communication Teams

A number of Scout Communication Teams are available in the United Kingdom to provide communications services. The experience of a number of specialist staff who can plan and manage installations at large International Camps, National and World events enables teams to provide a TOTALLY INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM for these types of events as well as smaller local events.

Radio Communications

Fixed, portable, mobile and transportable mobile radio equipment operating on a number of private channels are available with or without specialist operators. The equipment is suitable for short and medium distance working and full training is provided.

A number of teams have considerable experience in organising safety and rescue facilities for all types of adventurous activities and are able to work in close liaison with the emergency services if necessary.

Assistance is available to organisers of all types of events from International Camps to local night hikes using modern equipment suitable for use by any trained "Scout".

Radio Paging

This facility enables key people to be called individually by tone or with the option of passing messages. This allows staff to be called without having to continuously monitor radio messages. The system can be used as a complementary system to a telephone system or a radio telephone system at large events.

Telephone Systems

Automatic electronic telephone switching systems are available to suit the requirements of most events. Specialist team members carry out the provision of equipment and all cabling. These internal exchanges can be connected to incoming telephone, fax and data lines, provided by BT or other telecommunication providers. The systems can be used to provide large telephone networks and, when used with radios networks, provide a very flexible communications facility.

This is ideal where a fixed system is required for small and large events and is both fast and reliable.

Some Teams will be able to link digital cordless phones to provide portable internal phone facilities up to 300 metres from the cordless base unit.

Mobile Communications Centres

Some Teams have mobile communications centres which can be brought into action to provide a safety control centre or a highly effective self contained focus for communications and organisational activities. Most have a generator and contain radio, paging, public address and telephone facilities as standard.

Special Services

Special cable and radio links can be designed and installed for organisers of events, commentators and similar users. These can be used for the dissemination of results and for timings or just for cueing of displays. Timing equipment can be made available for races. Special systems can be generally designed to suit any particular requirement.

Computer and Data Services

Computer systems for scoring, registration, monitoring of safety and progress at long distance walks along with showing results are just some of the applications available to event organisers. In addition, computers can be linked by our own lines, telecom lines or radio links to give a regional or national network with message passing and data exchange.

Nowadays, the Internet can be used to pass information over long distances by the use of e-mail and distant locations can be connected as demonstrated by Jamboree-on-the-Internet. Systems can be designed to suit most requirements.

Advice and assistance is available to event organisers on the suitability and use of computers.

Benefits of Facilities

  • Safety of young people engaged in adventurous activities.
  • Security at campsites, events and activities. Organising of events more efficiently, enabling more activity time and better control of essential resources and staff.
  • Significant savings in vehicle fuel costs.
  • Gives organisers more up-to-date information so that they can plan more effectively.
  • Using frequencies allocated to the Association for this purpose, communications are less likely to be overheard than on more open allocations e.g. CB Radio or Amateur Bands.