Digital Radio System Project

Tidal Edge Consulting is proud to provide the initial phase of its Island Energy Brac-based DMR radio systems. Phase I focuses on workgroup teams with best-effort island-wide coverage. Plant & Field-deployed staff will be able to communicate effectively within their respective teams.

Phase II will build on Phase I by adding equipment to extend range, address radio blind spots, and enable GPS tracking of vehicles and staff radio from the Operations room.

 The solution benefits are:

Reliable Instant Communication

• The user radios provide instant push-to-talk (PTT) communication—no dialing, no waiting. Configuration can be made for private, group and “all calls”

• Critical for coordinating crews during power outages or emergency repairs, especially in areas with poor cell coverage.

• Unlike mobile phones, radios work in remote locations and through rugged terrain (mountains, forests, or urban obstructions).

Enhanced Safety

• Crews can alert colleagues instantly about hazards (live wires, storms, floods).

• Ability to call for help or backup quickly during dangerous electrical jobs.

• Enables a panic button/emergency channel for lone workers.

Cost-Effective Communication

• One-time investment in radios and antennas can replace expensive cell plans for field teams.

• Reduces delays caused by network outages or roaming charges on mobile phones.

Improved Coordination & Efficiency

• Crews can split into teams and stay in touch across the island.

• Dispatchers can assign tasks in real time, reducing wasted trips or idle time.

• Especially useful for simultaneous projects in the plant and in the field

Weather-Resilient Operations

• The radios operate in extreme weather conditions, which is critical during tropical storms or hurricanes.

• Cellular networks often fail during storms; radios provide a reliable backup for emergency coordination.

Range Flexibility

• Using a mobile repeater system allows:

  • Island-wide coverage if strategically placed.

  • Reliable communication between remote sites, boats, and depots.

• Can connect vehicles, field crews, and office staff in real time, without relying on mobile towers (Phase II)

Durability & Reliability

• The proposed radios are designed for harsh environments (heat, salt air, dust).

• These radios last longer than consumer mobile phones in field conditions.

• Minimal downtime reduces operational disruptions.

Future Integration

• Will integrate with:

  • Mobile dispatch systems (Phase II)

  • GPS tracking for fleet vehicles (Phase II)

  • Emergency sirens or alert systems (Phase II)