7.5 Zones and Channels

Purpose

To define standard radio zone and channel allocations used for SLS communications in SA.

Procedure

All SLS radios operating within the SLSSA Coastal Radio Network utilise the following zone and channel assignments.

Definitions

  • Simplex: Direct radio to radio communications without a repeater.
  • Repeater: A networked radio channel designed to extend communications coverage.
  • Zone: A group of channels.

Zones

A zone is a collection of channels.

  • Zone A – Normal patrol operations and includes the main channels used by SLS services.
  • Zone B – Manual selection of a repeater channel, usually only used at the direction of the State Operations Centre for troubleshooting.
  • Zone C – Surf Sports.

Zone A should be utilised for standard patrol operations.

Channels

  ZONE A ZONE B ZONE C
Channel Normal Patrol Operations Manual Selection Surf Sports
1 1 – Local 1 – Local 1 – Water Safety
2 2 – Local 2 – Local 2 – Administration
3 3 – Patrol 3 – Patrol 3 – Spare
4   4 – Metro 4 – Scan Carnival*
5   5 – Mid Coast North 5 – Scan Patrol*
6   6 – Mid Coast South  
7   7 – South Coast  
8   8 – Beachport  
9   9 – Robe  

Bold text denotes repeater channels. All other channels are simplex (line of sight) channels.

*Limited to some Surf Sports radios

Channel Priority

The channels in Zones A and B are primarily for SLS operations. Where channels are not being used for operational activities, they may be utilised for training in accordance with SOP 7.9 – Radio Training.

Temporary Change to Channel Usage in Chiton Rocks and Normanville Areas

In the Chiton Rocks and Normanville areas, Zone A – Channel 2 must be utilised as the primary patrol channel.

This document must not be displayed, including in a patrol room, or reproduced in any form, without permission from the Lifesaving Department, Surf Life Saving SA.

7.4 Communications Security 7.6 Radio Features