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Report EWS 2013-11-29
Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial – Eldorado Vic
Ivan Carter
Report Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial Eldorado Vic for the ACMA Page 1 of
12
Purpose
To test a radio–rebroadcast warning system for a bushfire and other emergency applications and determine its
capabilities with respect to: - the broadcast of relevant and timely information to residents notifying them of danger and hazards
relating to an emergency. - advising residents on what to do, when to do it and how during an emergency such as a bushfire
- assessing the range of the broadcast to determine the control of the reach of the warning messages to residents
- assessing the lifesaving potential of such a warning system during a catastrophic event such as a bushfire. This trial aimed to test whether the EWS is capable of providing longer range broadcast to a community/town on a
single frequency in the event of a natural disaster such as a bushfire. The objective is to ensure that radios within the
following target zones will receive the warning message:
1. over a radius of 500m at Eldorado;
2. broadcasting over a radius of 2kms around Eldorado; and
3. broadcasting 5kms in one direction (expanded to 10kms).
Licence Details
The trial was enabled to be conducted under scientific license issued by the ACMA:
Licence Type: Scientific
ACMA Licence Number: 1954529
Callsign: AX2NRN
Background
EWS previously conducted a trial of the override technology at Philip Island Victoria (29th
April 2011).
This trial identified that motorists would receive the Warning Messages travelling up to highway speeds.
During this trial there were some difficulties in controlling the precise geographical limits of the over
broadcast range (due to time and factors beyond EWS control) and was noted that adequate radio cell
planning need to be undertaken in any future deployments.
The technology had been deployed by Victoria Police in the Latrobe Valley when the Princes Highway
posed driving hazards. According to Victoria Police, this deployment was successful and assisted in
managing driver behaviour to avoid incidents and accidents.
The Victorian Fire Services Commissioner, Craig Lapsley requested a demonstration of EWS’s technology
and selected Eldorado as the site because the area has no mobile phone service. Being in a mobile black-
spot means warnings issued by SMS through Emergency Alert would not be received by Eldorado residents,
making Eldorado an extremely high bushfire risk area. Commissioner Lapsley asked that the demonstration
show the following:
1. That the technology could send a clear signal and totally over-ride the station being interrupted
2. The messages could be confined to the above defined target zones
3. The community believed delivering a message via the radio override was an acceptable means of
receiving an alert
4. That radio messages can be an effective way of providing quality information to people facing a risk
to life or property so that informed decisions can be made.
To undertake the demonstration EWS was granted the above licence by the Australian Communications and
Media Authority (ACMA) which allowed the over-riding to occur on 90.5FM, a dummy radio station in that
Report EWS 2013-11-29
Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial – Eldorado Vic
Ivan Carter
Report Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial Eldorado Vic for the ACMA Page 2 of
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area. EWS had sought permission to over-ride the local radio stations broadcast in the area and had full
support from the respective radio stations for that to occur.
Trial Planning
The local Eldorado community was advised via a public awareness campaign executed by the local CFA and
media that the trial would be running and their involvement was sought to help assess the effectiveness of
the system. To assist this, the temporary broadcast station operating on 90.5FM was installed and
operational for the two days prior the actual trial enabling the community to be tune into the correct
frequency in advance. Variable message signs were placed in the outskirts of the town so that anyone
entering Eldorado was advised of the trial and to tune to 90.5FM to participate.
A detailed agenda was provided to the community (see Appendix A) such that each resident would know
what and when to expect their radio would receive or not the over broadcast signal.
Site selection and over broadcast range determination studies were undertaken several days prior to the trial
to determine the best operational set-up , antenna height and transmitter output power to provide the desired
over broadcast reach (see Operational Details below).
A broadcast radio station site was established to provide an equivalent FM signal which was comparable to
the local radio station – 102.1 Edge FM - throughout the whole target zone of the override system.
Transmitter site 1 was established to provide the long range override signal into a known CFA radio and
mobile phone black-spot. The black-spot however covered an area of out to 10km from Eldorado along
Woolshed Rd. The importance of penetrating this area beyond 5km was emphasised by the local CFA
Capitan and the trial was expanded to 10km to cover this particular area.
Final setup of this site showed the override message could be clearly heard within the Eldorado township
and out to a distance of 11km along Woolshed Rd. There was no audible convergence of signals and
message remained clear at all times.
Transmitter site 2 was established to provide the short and medium range override signals around the
township.
Operational Details
Broadcast Radio Station
Location: Milne Rd: -36.337858,146.520827
Frequency: 90.5 MHz FM
Output Power: 40 Watts
Antenna Height: 10 metres
Polarisation: Vertical
Rebroadcast of 102.1 Edge FM
Override Transmitter Site 1
Location: Cemetery Rd: -36.331529,146.525994
Frequency: 90.5 MHz FM
Output Power: 80 Watts
Antenna Height: 10 metres
Polarisation: Vertical
Report EWS 2013-11-29
Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial – Eldorado Vic
Ivan Carter
Report Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial Eldorado Vic for the ACMA Page 3 of
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Long range override transmitter
Override Transmitter Site 2
Location: Percy Lane: -36.313668,146.519883
Frequency: 90.5 MHz FM
Output Power: 0.5 Watts / 80 Watts
Antenna Height: 10 metres
Polarisation: Vertical
Short and medium range override transmitter
Conditions:
Fine and sunny, light breeze.
Report EWS 2013-11-29
Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial – Eldorado Vic
Ivan Carter
Report Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial Eldorado Vic for the ACMA Page 4 of
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Trial Observations
During the scheduled 5:00 – 6:00 pm trial, each override message could be clearly heard. The correct
override message was heard based on the schedule provided and for approximately the duration (within 10 –
20 seconds) as indicated. On some occasions there was a short quiet time (3 – 4 seconds) before and after
the override message was heard. All messages ran to completion with no message being cut-off half way
through before normal broadcast was resumed.
CFA crews drove through the target areas during the trial to monitor the override transmission but also to
verify that the override transmission did not impact their radio communications and other equipment. CFA
crews reported that during the trial all CFA equipment and radio communications devices operated normally
without any impact or interference.
The two adjacent frequencies (90.3 MHz and 90.7 MHz) were monitored throughout the trial to listen for
any unwanted interference. At the location, no other broadcast radio stations could be received on those
frequencies nor during times of override could the EWS Override signal be heard.
Overall Assessment
The trial clearly demonstrated that the system was able to override the broadcast radio station and provide
clear and undistorted warning messages over a diverse terrain and when complete, relinquish the frequency
back to the broadcast radio station. The three objectives to cover the immediate area of Eldorado township
and separately out to a distance of 10 km or more along Woolshed Rd were met and shown that appropriate
radio cell planning is required and is effective is managing target zones.
The trial demonstrated that the EWS override system did not interfere with the normal operation of any other
broadcasters' signals nor with any other appliance or equipment particularly the CFA radio communications.
The three different situation messages broadcast during the trial demonstrated the ability of the system to be
used effectively in variety of situations. Community feedback was extremely positive as evidenced in a
video that captured the essence of the demonstration. The timing and content of actual messages would need
to be carefully considered to ensure that the outcomes are positive.
The demonstration for Commissioner Lapsley was captured in a video which can be found trough the
following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi7eH6u3uRs
As a result of the success of the trial expressions of interest in the technology have been received from
Victoria Police for deployments on the Hume Freeway where driver fatigue is known to result in deaths,
injury and blockages.
A subsequent demonstration in Eldorado was conducted for Telstra which again was successful. As a result
Telstra has a goal of integrating EWS’s technology with their Emergency Alert (EA) text messaging service
to:
1. Provide a service to mobile phone black-spot areas; and
2. As a redundant system for EA.
Report EWS 2013-11-29
Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial – Eldorado Vic
Ivan Carter
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Maps of Locations
Locations from top to bottom as indicated
CFA Shed: 129 Main St, Eldorado, Victoria
Percy Lane - Override Transmitter 2: -36.313668,146.519883
Cemetery Rd - Override Transmitter 1: -36.331529,146.525994
Milne Rd - Broadcast Transmitter: -36.337858,146.520827
Report EWS 2013-11-29
Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial – Eldorado Vic
Ivan Carter
Report Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial Eldorado Vic for the ACMA Page 6 of
12
Locations as indicated above including terrain showing Woolshed Rd
Locations as indicated above plus 11km mark on Woolshed Rd from Eldorado CFA shed.
Maps Reference:
https://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msid=215356108906305059459.0004cde5815558e7aa0f5&msa=0
Report EWS 2013-11-29
Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial – Eldorado Vic
Ivan Carter
Report Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial Eldorado Vic for the ACMA Page 7 of
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Site Photos
Override Transmitter 2
Portable antenna mast with dipole antenna plus override controller and radio transmitter (within enclosure).
Report EWS 2013-11-29
Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial – Eldorado Vic
Ivan Carter
Report Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial Eldorado Vic for the ACMA Page 8 of
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Appendix A – EWS Agenda for Eldorado trial
Eldorado trial for the Victorian Fire Services Commissioner
1700-1800hrs, 2 November 2012 - Agenda
Broadcasting on 90.5FM will have commenced on Wednesday 31 October to allow residents time to tune to
the frequency to in readiness for the trial.
Time (hrs) Activity Comments
1600 FSC arrives
Guests begin to gather at Eldorado CFA
1630 Media arrival
1650 Introduction from EWS about the trial and the
functionality of the technology
Geoff Drucker EWS
1655 Message from the Fire Services Commissioner
(FSC)
Craig Lapsley
1700 Trial begins
1705 Fire message broadcast to total target zone
(interrupts over a 5 minute period )
1708 Radio transmission resumes intermitted
1710 Fire message broadcast to total target zone
(interrupts over a 2 minute period)
1712 Radio transmission resumes
1715 Hazmat message broadcast to within a 500m radius
of Eldorado CFA
1720 Radio transmission resumes
1722 Hazmat message broadcast to within a 500m radius
of Eldorado CFA
1725 Radio transmission resumes
1730 Flood message broadcast to within a 2km radius of
Eldorado
1735 Radio transmission resumes
1740 Flood message broadcast to within a 2km radius of
Eldorado
1745 Radio transmission resumes
1750 Interrupt-Join us at the BBQ message broadcast to
total target zone
1800 Residents gather at CFA for barbecue
1815 EWS thanks community for participation Geoff Drucker
1820 CFA Captain speaks to Community
Prize draw conducted
FSC sums up and thanks locals
Craig Lapsley
CFA representative
Eldorado CFA Captain-
Peter Brick
Report EWS 2013-11-29
Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial – Eldorado Vic
Ivan Carter
Report Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial Eldorado Vic for the ACMA Page 9 of
12
Appendix B – Media Coverage about the trial
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-02/mock-emergency-warnings-to-be-trialled-in-
eldorado/4349022?§ion=news
Mock emergency warnings to be trialled in Eldorado Posted Fri Nov 2, 2012 9:58am AEDT
Technology that can override radio frequencies to broadcast emergency warnings will be trialled in the north-east
Victorian town of Eldorado today.
Residents within a 10 kilometre radius of Eldorado will be asked to tune into an unused radio frequency where mock
emergency warnings will be broadcast from 5:00pm (AEDT).
They will be asked to give feedback on the broadcast.
Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley says Eldorado was chosen as the trial site because it is in a geographically
isolated high fire risk area that is not well connected to telecommunications.
"The community understand that they've got an isolated area, they don't have mobile phone coverage in the valley to
the extent that we can use our SMS messaging system," he said.
"If this is a successful trial this will give us an opportunity to look at this as an option."
He says today's mock emergency will be based on a bushfire scenario but if successful the system could be used in
other emergencies.
"Although it's fire focused this could be, if successful, used for not only fire," he said.
"It could be used for flood and other examples, so it shouldn't be seen just as a fire tool but we certainly use Eldorado
in a fire footprint, so the Eldorado community, the Eldorado CFA [Country Fire Authority] have been fundamental in
ensuring that we can go up and trial this."
Meanwhile, Victoria's new text message emergency warning system will be tested in the town of Yea in the
Murrindindi Shire this weekend.
A location-based warning system was a recommendation of the Bushfires Royal Commission.
The technology used will send text messages to people based on their location rather than their billing address.
Report EWS 2013-11-29
Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial – Eldorado Vic
Ivan Carter
Report Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial Eldorado Vic for the ACMA Page 10 of
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Source: http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1542763/eldorado-warning-system-getting-closer/?cs=11
Eldorado warning system getting closer
By TAMMY MILLS June 1, 2013, midnight
Sophie Mirabella and Emergency Warning Systems managing director Geoff Drucker inspect the bushfire warning system being
tested at Eldorado yesterday. Picture: JOHN RUSSELL
A FORMER Wangaratta man is “quietly confident” his emergency management system will be able to be used at
Eldorado by next fire season despite a bureaucratic hold-up.
Geoff Drucker has developed technology to override radio frequencies for emergency warnings in mobile phone
blackspots such as Eldorado.
It was trialled successfully in November and yesterday Mr Drucker demonstrated its capabilities for Telstra and
member for Indi Sophie Mirabella.
“It’s fantastic and the problem is that current legislation has some technicalities that prevents this from being used,”
Mrs Mirabella said.
Report EWS 2013-11-29
Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial – Eldorado Vic
Ivan Carter
Report Radio Rebroadcast Bushfire Warning System Trial Eldorado Vic for the ACMA Page 11 of
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Legislation gives radio stations a licence to broadcast in a wide area, meaning if emergency warnings were used on
systems, warnings would be broadcast in areas it’s not applicable.
Mrs Mirabella said it would require only a tweaking of legislation to ensure the broadcast widths could be narrowed in
emergency incidents.
“It’s utterly uncontroversial,” she said.
“It’s a no-brainer.”
Mr Drucker said Communications Minister Stephen Conroy assured the amendments would be introduced in this
year’s first parliamentary sitting. This hasn’t happened.
Mr Drucker said it would be held up further by the September elections but regardless, emergency services should be
able to use the technology come summer.
“They can get an exemption to use our technology in an emergency,” Mr Drucker said.
“So we’re quietly confident while we’re waiting for the legislation to be changed, there is a way around the legislation
at the moment.”
A spokesman for Senator Conroy said the government welcomed trials being undertaken and the trial participants were
due to report to the Australian Communications and Media Authority in September.
Mrs Mirabella said she would follow the matter up with the minister.
Mr Drucker said he hoped Eldorado would become the first area in the country to use the technology before it was
rolled out into other blackspots.
He said he had conducted successful demonstrations of the technology in Sweden, the United Arab Emirates and
Qatar.
“We’re a young company and we’ve got to start somewhere and we’d like to start at home first,” he said.