Communication is essential for any workplace, especially mines where the operating environment can sometimes be very harsh. Underground tunnel workers need to be able to communicate with each other, especially in the event of major accidents or incidents. Underground mining radios can be useful in this situation.

The workplace communication system can improve productivity and efficiency. Becker Communications sells a range of portable underground radios, radio systems from Motorola and Kenwood as well as stationary leaky feeder systems.

Becker Communications offers solutions for North America’s 800+ mining operations.

Portable Underground Mining Radios

Kenwood supplies and manufactures both digital and analog portable mine radios. These radios can be used in harsh mine conditions and provide instant communication between units. These ATEX-certified radios can be used in any area of mining operations worldwide. They are protected from dust, gas, and other hazards.

These radios are portable and can last a long time without needing to be charged. The NEXEDGE(r) has GPS capabilities.

Motorola also offers two-way radio solutions called the MOTOTRBO series. These include simple voice-only models, to more advanced voice radios that can be voice-only or feature-rich. These accessories optimize your device’s performance. These accessories have been tested for five years in the field using Accelerated Life Testing (ALT).

Stationary Mine Communication Systems

Leaky feeder systems are a reliable and secure method to communicate underground or aboveground with a mine facility. Becker Communications offers the PB2 12 Pages Boss Phone. This radio can be used in conjunction with pager-type systems. It can also integrate into leaky feeders.

For daily mining communication, leaky feeder systems offer greater reliability than traditional wired telephone systems. They can also be integrated with monitoring and tracking technologies to provide a complete solution.

The cable runs through a mine to create this system. It functions as an antenna, allowing a variety devices to pick-up a radio signal. Radio devices can communicate with each other over short distances, but this is not necessary. They can instead communicate with the cable. An antenna can be used for connecting workers 10 miles below ground to colleagues 10 miles above ground.

Becker Communications has been the industry leader for over 15 years. Radio communication in tunnels and electrical mining communication systems. They also added wireless communication systems, handheld radios and tagging and tracking systems as they expanded into underground mining, railroads and tunneling. If you would like to learn more contact us today!

A tunnel communication system has become an essential piece of tunneling through mountains and mining sites in a coordinated effort. Tunnel communication systems are a unique solution for managing the problem of solving communications issues in mining. Mining environments require extensive communication and this is not always easy in construction sites where projects can extend kilometers underground. The environments make it difficult to implement various elements of construction and make sure that all of the teams are coordinated and effectively communicating. As vehicles can travel extremely efficiently it’s not easy to make sure that workers and vehicles are out of harm’s way without some form of deep real-time communication.

A tunnel communication system is a module that uses a high frequency radio system with a two-way level of communication without a traditional radio or landline telephone system. TCS systems are made with a wireless repeater system that allows voice communication outside of the tunnel and it worked as an excellent alternative to traditional telephone or radio communications that would otherwise be effective in a tunneling site. TCS systems offer a series of features that can improve the construction processing tunnel and mining sites and it can also reduce the risk of injuries on mining sites as well.

Using advanced wireless communication systems can make sure that safety is improved at every level of the mining site. Heavy construction vehicles and equipment require ongoing communication and the radio repeaters will allow for communication outside of the tunnel as well as the deep end of the tunnel system. These types of communications are instrumental in remote locations and times where vehicles are going to require communication in the tunnels. TCS frequencies are considerably lower than most radio systems and there’s no need for a direct installation or landline. TCS  frequencies can also continue to work in smaller size mines as well as large-scale industrial sites where power supplies are not always reliable. These systems work well in remote locations and they can use a cellular-based system that’s suitable for any mining site. 

The tunnel communication system can be placed on board a tunneling vehicle or it can be run through a series of modules throughout the tunnel system. Providing continuous two-way communication between these supervisors, excavators, operators and managers is important and with these tools, you can make sure that every level of communication and coordination takes place amongst your staff. 

If you’re interested in installing these communication support items in your mining site, we are ready to showcase the best product for your needs. Contact our team today and we can show you the best new communication tools in the mining industry. We have years of experience installing communications tools throughout mining sites across the world. With the help of our team, we can set you up with the best in communication, alarms, inspection systems and more. We want to improve the safety of mining sites and industrial sites across the world and with our systems, you can enjoy crystal clear communications and monitoring.

Radio communication in tunnels is a requirement for mining sites. Electronic communications have taken over for mining sites in emergencies, from radio support, and more. Walkie-talkies or cell phones have been rendered as an inefficient manner for many mining sites to communicate. With the majority of mining sites turning to a low-frequency radio or wifi emergency signal in tunnels, we are seeing changes to the nature of mining communications worldwide.

Low frequency radio communication in tunnel sites keeps work safer and it ensures that miners can maintain communications even through extensive rocks and deep mining sites. Enabling communication can ensure that emergency personnel can be reached, that workers are able to reach people in the tunnels and that ongoing communication and productivity are maintained. 

Radio communication needs to be maintained for safety, as well as for visibility in any mining site. Communication can be difficult in mining sites with a wealth of equipment as well as with many areas that could be hidden from view. Heavy traffic throughout a busy mining site will require communication and radio communication provides a sense of security for many workers throughout a tunnel. If there is an emergency in a tunnel or a type of evacuation that may be required, a radio could serve as a lifeline for a group of people in a tunnel setting. 

People will need to stay informed in a tunnel and radio will help direct the evacuation. Radios can ensure that all workers can follow the appropriate directions for their equipment and be directed throughout the process.

For traffic flow, radios are also important. Whether you are going to be moving material from deep in the mine site or bringing new equipment down, sometimes heavy equipment will need to be directed and areas need to be kept clear. Having reliable communications for these times can ensure that there is no difficulty with traffic jams and ensure that everyone can be well managed in a mining site.

Seamless Communication In Mining Tunnels

The communication process for mining tunnels is as seamless as picking up a cell phone in most cases. Tunnel workers are able to pick up devices and speak with clarity. The base station or communications hub will have access to all the information that is needed instantly and the teams can communicate effectively through the devices provided. Radio communications are bolstered by antennas on the ground or throughout the mining site to boost the low frequency radio, there could also be a series of wifi hubs for communication backup and data transfer. 

If you are interested in learning more about mining communications and tunnel radios, contact us today. We can assess your business for mining communications support and tunnel radios to outfit your company. 

A leaky feeder is an electrical cable that transmits and delivers electricity. This cable allows liquid to lubricate inner conductors and prevents electrolysis corrosion. Leaky feeders can be used in applications where it is impossible or impractical for them to remain dry. Here we explain what a leaky feeder cable is exactly.

There are many types of cables that can transmit electricity. An electrician or an electrical engineer must make the right choice when choosing the best type of cable to transmit electricity.

Let’s say you want to install a high-definition TV in your living room. You may choose to use speaker wire to connect your TV. It is available in lengths of up to 100 feet, and has two copper conductors within each jacketed sheath. You will need to use 24 gauge wire to get 720p resolution.

This wire is not thick enough to be a 2-conductor-cable. This same-sized cable is also not suitable for carrying current to certain devices such as speakers or electric drills.

Wiring that is extra-heavy-duty requires a cable with four copper conductors in each jacketed sheath. This cable is often used in large industrial settings such as hospitals and large factories that use many types of current-carrying equipment.

A thinner jacket is used to prevent a leaky feeder cable from being tampered with by code. To make the cable waterproof, a special coating is applied inside. It becomes saturated with water and an electric charge forms between the copper conductors.

Varis Smartcom(r.150IS) Leaky Feeder Cables are ideal for anyone who needs to provide power to an AV device. With its durability and quality, this cable will be a reliable companion. This cable is ideal for people who don’t want cables to break while they are in use, or anyone who is always on the move!

Becker Communications has been a leader in the development of more advanced electrical mining communication systems for over 15 years. They expanded their reach into surface mining, railways, tunneling, and added wireless communication systems, handheld radios and tagging and tracking systems as well as gas monitoring. If you would like to learn more contact us today!

The Beckercom leaky feeder allows miners to access underground communications in the mine using standard two-way radios, significantly increasing safety and productivity. The leaky feeder system permits the control and monitoring of electrical equipment, such as pumps and fans. The Intrinsically Secure I.S. When used with the Becker I.S., the Leaky Feeder can provide 100% coverage for underground mines. Two-way portable radio.

SYSTEM OPERATION

This system provides seamless two-way communication throughout underground tunnels or mines. Leaky feeder antenna cables are used to achieve this. The radio signals from Head End, which are usually located at the surface, are transmitted underground via the leaky feeder cables. The signal can also be easily retransmitted on the surface and can cover several kilometers.

LEAKY FEDER CABLE 

Coaxial cable was designed to retain as much signal as possible and block external signals. Leaky Feeder cables are designed to leak or radiate radio signals out and allow signals in from remote radio transceivers located within 50-200 meters of the Leaky Feeder Cable. Line Amplifiers or boosters are installed along with the Leaky feeder cable runs, nominally every 350m. They help sustain signal levels over long distances.

SYSTEM DESIGN 

Certified Becker communication engineers design leaky feeder systems in consultation with customers and meet all compliance requirements.

REPAIRS AND EXTENSIONS 

As a mine grows, leaky Feeder cables will need to be repaired and extended. It is important to make quick connections and repairs in order to minimize downtime and ensure reliable operations. These requirements can be met by the Becker splice device. Line splices are used to join two sections together, where signal amplification does not apply, or to repair damaged sections. To properly terminate the system, line terminations are placed at the Leaky Feeder cables.

TWO-WAY RADIO: The Becker UHF is intrinsically secure I.S. Portable radios offer versatility and reliability in a small and rugged package.

If you are looking to purchase a leaky feeder system to access underground communications for your underground mining operation contact us today!