Advertisement

FM repeater network could be used by hikers in emergencies

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP

Recently there have been a number of hikers lost, injured, or drowned in remote areas in Hong Kong.

Advertisement

Clearly, if increasing traffic on our various hiking trails is any indication, outdoor exploration has become very popular.

As many know, mobile phones do not work in every corner of Hong Kong.

I would like to draw to the attention of the public and authorities that we already have in place an excellent FM radio repeater network covering the whole of Hong Kong. This means that the ubiquitous and inexpensive walkie-talkies which are available in Hong Kong can be programmed very easily to transmit to our radio repeating stations sited in strategic locations. These repeaters can amplify a walkie-talkie signal so it can be picked up anywhere in Hong Kong.

Amateur radio buffs already monitor these repeater frequencies on virtually a 24-hour basis.

Advertisement

We already have the infrastructure in Hong Kong to ensure than any hiker, fisherman, or anyone else in any remote corner of Hong Kong is a mere walkie-talkie call away from help. Recently I was on a remote uninhabited island excavating a historic plane-crash site when I saw that a hiker had slipped and fallen into the sea.

loading
Advertisement