Background
The AusAID funded National Health Services Radio Network is designed to provide the remote and rural areas of Papua New Guinea with a reliable and effective communications system to support health services. The network is used for clinical consultations, health promotion and administrative enquiries.
The National Health Services Radio Network effectively grew from the Madang Province health radio network, which was installed in the late 1990's,
under the auspices of the then Minister for Health, Sir Peter Barter.
The network has grown to become the world's largest land mobile HF system, with some 1200 HF stations installed.
The network has grown to become the world's largest land mobile HF system, with some 1200 HF stations installed.
Network design and coverage
The network is
effectively provincially based - each of PNG's 19 provinces has its own organic HF
health radio network, which is linked together with a set of national
HF radio channels.
Each provincial hospital is also provided with its own VHF network - a repeater at the local hospital is used to link ambulances and hospital staff.
There is also a major network central control station installed at the headquarters of the Department of Health in Port Moresby - this station is used for the broadcast of health promotion messages to all network stations.
Each provincial hospital is also provided with its own VHF network - a repeater at the local hospital is used to link ambulances and hospital staff.
There is also a major network central control station installed at the headquarters of the Department of Health in Port Moresby - this station is used for the broadcast of health promotion messages to all network stations.
National Health Radio Network
stations - note that there are many more stations than indicated on
this map -
the map scale is too small to fit the required amount of pins in...!
the map scale is too small to fit the required amount of pins in...!
Equipment and technical details
Australian made Barrett HF
equipment is used throughout the network. 900 series radios are used in 16 provinces, with the newer 2050 series being used in 3 provinces.
A typical rural installation is powered by two 80 w solar panels and a 100 AH sealed lead acid battery. The antenna systems are normally Australian made Bushcomm SWC100 broadband antennas, configured as an inverted vee, suspended from a 10m mast. Provincial hospitals and health offices use the Bushcomm 3 wire BBA100 antenna, normally oriented horizontally between two 10m masts.
A typical rural installation is powered by two 80 w solar panels and a 100 AH sealed lead acid battery. The antenna systems are normally Australian made Bushcomm SWC100 broadband antennas, configured as an inverted vee, suspended from a 10m mast. Provincial hospitals and health offices use the Bushcomm 3 wire BBA100 antenna, normally oriented horizontally between two 10m masts.
Typical
installation in a rural health facility.
Note
simplified operator guides on the wall behind the radio.
The radios are intentionally painted orange with the words HEALTH RADIO embossed in black to discourage theft.
The radios are intentionally painted orange with the words HEALTH RADIO embossed in black to discourage theft.
Each
provincial network is assigned their own unique
channels. Most network channels are in the 5 MHz band, as
this
has been proven the most suitable frequency range to provide daylight
coverage over a province.
There are lower frequency channels for use at night.
As discussed earlier, the network is effectively linked nationwide by the use of the national health radio channels. There are four national HF health channels, in the 3, the 6, the 8 and the 10 MHz land mobile HF radio bands.
The network central control station in Port Moresby is capable of simultaneous broadcasts on four channels. One by 1 kW, one by 500 w and two by 100 w transmitters are used.
Antennas are Bushcomm BBA500 traveling wave dipoles and also single frequency dipoles. The transmitters and operator control console are located at the Health Department building.
As discussed earlier, the network is effectively linked nationwide by the use of the national health radio channels. There are four national HF health channels, in the 3, the 6, the 8 and the 10 MHz land mobile HF radio bands.
The network central control station in Port Moresby is capable of simultaneous broadcasts on four channels. One by 1 kW, one by 500 w and two by 100 w transmitters are used.
Antennas are Bushcomm BBA500 traveling wave dipoles and also single frequency dipoles. The transmitters and operator control console are located at the Health Department building.
Control station transmitter
rack
The
operator control console enables either
live or pre-recorded broadcasts of health promotional information to be
conducted.
It is also equipped with a telephone patch, which enables
connection of any HF radio user to to public telephone network.
Control station operator
console
A remote receiving station is located at the Laloki hospital, some
20 km from the transmitting station. The receiving
station is
equipped with fixed tuned receivers for the national HF channels, and
also a tuneable receiver. It is linked back to the control
centre by a microwave link.
Receiver rack