Germany Forestry - Case Study

Blickle & Scherer has been providing communications solutions to the forestry sector in Germany since 2012 using KENWOOD analogue two-way radio systems.

But with the advent of digital technology and the benefits it brings in increased range and worker safety features, the company saw an opportunity to deliver a more effective system to the industry.

Dieter Gruber, Executive Director at Blickle & Scherer stated: “Our experience with the state of Baden-Wurttemberg (Forst BW), with over 1,000 analogue radios in operation proved the reliability and robustness of KENWOOD equipment in a tough outdoor operating environment and with the introduction of digital systems and the multi-protocol NX-3000 Series, we saw the potential to harness the Bluetooth and GPS features to enhance operational efficiency, worker safety and provide our customers with the flexibility of a future-proof solution”.

Taking the NX-3000 Series as the basis, the company went on to develop applications and accessories specifically optimised for use in the forestry sector, most especially in the area of worker safety and emergency communications.

With good training and professional working procedures, we can make forestry safer

”Forestry remains one of the most dangerous activities, there’s no question about that; but with good training and professional working procedures, we can make it safer” comments Meik Gerlach, Special Coordinator for Occupational Health & Safety at Hessen Forest Management who cites the passive emergency call function of the NX-3000 Series radios to be essential to its forestry workers - to the extent where it has become integral to the accident prevention concept of Hessenforst state enterprise.

The range and audio quality of the NX-3000 Series are excellent, even when used in situations with loud background noise

Uwe Holl, Forestry Master at Hessenforst, believes that it is the flexibility of KENWOOD radios that makes them ideally suited to forestry, reporting: “We have been using KENWOOD radios for years, and we operate them in three versions; headset attached the helmet, hearing tube and a combined speaker microphone version which extends usage to activities where a helmet is not required.

The range and audio quality of the NX-3000 Series are excellent, even when used in situations with loud background noise from machinery, while the robust build quality and IP67 rating mean we can use them anywhere in all conditions. It is also important for us that the equipment we use is KWF certified, as it gives us the reassurance that it has been tested and certified specifically for use in forestry applications”.

The coveted KWF Association stamp of approval

The KWF Association is a non-profit research institution that examines, amongst other things, tools, machinery and safety equipment for their performance and utility value in forestry. Nick Lars, KWF Board of Trustees for Forestry and Forest Technology, confirms: “As part of our activities, we investigated the utility value of KENWOOD NX-3000 Series radios and consulted with a number of forestry authorities on the radios in use. As a result of these findings, we are happy to report that the KENWOOD digital radios have been awarded the coveted KWF Professional Award”.

Clear advantages of digital

Markus Bindwald, Technical Sales - Communications, at JVCKENWOOD Germany, highlights: “Like all digital two-way radios, KENWOOD radios offer greater range over analogue radio, but where the KENWOOD radios come into their own is in the clarity of audio, even in noisy operating environments and the ability to programme individual radios within a system to meet the needs of the customer. The built-in position sensor was an important safety feature for forestry users as it allows colleagues to be quickly alerted in the case of an emergency, and with the addition of optional accessories, the alarm can be forwarded to a control centre along with GPS coordinates – greatly reducing response times. The Bluetooth-equipped radios, giving hands-free operation is also a key feature that enhances worker safety and operational efficiency”.

 

KAS-20 and KAS-10 Software for enhanced safety and efficiency

KENWOOD NEXEDGE digital NXDN and DMR systems operating in control/dispatch centres can benefit from the cost-effective KENWOOD KAS-10 and KAS-20 AVL & Dispatch software to monitor and record calls and track personnel, making good use of the built-in GPS and advanced lone-worker and man-down features of the NX-3000 Series radios.