Emergency communication system
Since 2022, Narva Raadioklubi has been developing its own emergency radio communication system in Narva. Its purpose is to support city structures during emergencies and provide an additional independent communication channel where ordinary means of communication may be unavailable or overloaded.
At present, Narva has amateur radio infrastructure that allows the use of both digital DMR radio communication and analogue FM communication. In digital mode, the repeaters make it possible to organise several independent communication channels and serve different user groups at the same time.
To increase the resilience of the repeater centre, an uninterruptible power supply is used. The UPS can keep the equipment running during a short power outage. For longer autonomous operation, a 2 kW petrol generator is also available and ready to be started when necessary.
Digital repeaters can be connected through a local DMR server. This makes it possible to keep the digital format working inside the local network even if external internet access is lost.
Simplex channels
In addition to repeater communication, simplex channels are reserved in Narva for emergency communication and search-and-rescue operations:
- 145.450 MHz
- 434.700 MHz
These frequencies are used as direct channels between radio stations without repeaters. They can be used when local communication must be organised quickly at an incident site, during search operations or in support of an emergency headquarters.
PMR446 for residents
For city residents, a separate PMR446 radio channel can be used in a crisis situation. If residents have an ordinary licence-free PMR446 radio, they can contact representatives of the emergency headquarters on PMR channel 8.
Cooperation
In April 2024, Narva Raadioklubi signed a memorandum with Narva City Government. Under this agreement, the club confirmed its readiness to provide radio communication to city structures involved in resolving an emergency situation, if necessary.
The Police and Border Guard Board and the Rescue Board have also been informed about the possibilities of emergency radio communication in Narva. A similar agreement has been signed with the city of Narva-Jõesuu. In the future, the club plans to develop cooperation with Sillamäe and Kohtla-Järve.
Together with the Narva city crisis committee, an action protocol for the radio club was developed for emergency situations. Narva Raadioklubi's emergency communication system was used during the ILVES 2025 and ILVES 2026 exercises.
KÜSK support
In 2024 and 2025, the development of the emergency communication centre in Narva was supported by the National Foundation of Civil Society (KÜSK). Thanks to this support, the club was able to upgrade repeater equipment, create a reserve of handheld and mobile radio stations, and purchase a petrol generator to ensure autonomous operation.