Good communication is essential.

The Henley on Klip Community Policing Forum (HCPF) runs an ICASA Radio Frequency Spectrum Licence two-way radio network. This is essential to co-ordinate operations during a crisis, emergency, traffic situation, power/phone/internet outage and mandatory for patrolling purposes.

“Eyes and Ears” – your radio is a CRITICAL ASSET.

The HCPF encourages the residents of Henley on Klip to join the HCPF, acquire a two-way radio, connect, and be able to summon assistance or alert others to a possible threat.

Every evening at 19:30 a HCPF controller is on duty for radio checks to:
ensure that the radio is functional with a charged battery;
ensure that all members of the family know how to use the radio;
share relevant HCPF news and make urgent announcements.

It is a time of connection and community. You soon learn to link the call signs to names and faces.

ANALOGUE Channels – The HCPF will continue to monitor Channel 1.

The current analogue (“Bosvark”) radio network is not secure – anyone with the required equipment can “listen in”. Radios stolen by criminals can impact CPF operations.

Channel 1 – Used to summon assistance, alerts and radio checks. When in standby mode, radios should always monitor Channel 1.

Channel 2 – This is a talk-around channel that DOES NOT use the repeater; reception range is limited to line-of-sight. This channel can be used for direct radio-to-radio communications.

DIGITAL Channels – Mandatory for patrolling purposes.

The analogue (“Bosvark”) radios cannot meet future HCPF requirements so a DIGITAL (Hytera) radio solution is a must. It provides:

• Emergency channel with priority for everybody to identify the user and their location
• Quality communication over the entire area
• Security of conversations
• Tracking of radios
• Private calls

If there is no radio available, no problem – phone and apps to the rescue!

Henley on Klip Community Policing Forum provides HCPF members:
Access to the HCPF emergency number (081 813 3912) and Namola safety app
Access to Telegram (not WhatsApp) groups with real-time communication

Please visit the Henley on Klip Command Centre (HCC) on a Saturday morning between 09:00-12:00 or send an e-mail to hokcpf@gmail.com for more information.

PHONETIC ALPHABET

A phonetic alphabet is a list of words used to identify letters in a message transmitted by radio or telephone. Spoken words from an approved list are substituted for letters. This practice helps to prevent confusion between similar sounding letters, such as “m” and “n”, and to clarify communications that may be garbled during transmission. Make an effort to learn them:

A=Alpha B=Bravo C=Charlie D=Delta E=Echo F=Foxtrot G=Golf H=Hotel I=India J=Juliet K=Kilo L=Lima M=Mike N=November O=Oscar P=Papa Q=Quebec R=Romeo S=Sierra T=Tango U=Uniform V=Victor W=Whiskey X=X-ray Y=Yankee Z=Zulu

The figure 0 is pronounced as zero. Numbers consisting of more than one digit are pronounced individually, e.g. the number 806 is pronounced as “eight, zero, six” and not as “eight hundred and six”

RADIO PROCEDURE

Although the HCPF does not use “formal” radio procedures, there are some basic procedures to adhere in order to ensure usability.

WAIT before you speak:

When you press the Transmit button on the radio, the repeater first needs to “open”, so the first part of your message will be lost if you press the button and talk immediately.

When you want to talk on the radio:
Press and hold the Transmit button;
Wait for 1 to 2 seconds;
Now start to speak (CLEARLY AND LOUDLY CLOSE TO THE MIC).
Release the button once finished.

Establishing a conversation:
In order to establish a conversation, you need to:

• Ensure you are on the correct channel.
• Call the call sign of the person that you want to talk to.
• Include your call sign to indicate who is making the call.
  This is typically what an initial call will sound like when H1 wants to talk to H5:
  H1: H5, H5, stand by for H1.
  H5: H5 standing by for H1.
  The rest of the conversation will then follow.