Icom Win Government Contract

Radio communication specialist, Icom (UK) Ltd, has recently won a prestigious contract to supply 50 IC-M59Euro marine VHF mobile radio transceivers to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The transceivers will be fitted into the Coastguard’s new Ford Focus car fleet and will be used primarily to co-ordinate search and rescue.

Icom (UK) Ltd, based in Herne Bay, put in a competitive tender against strong competition from other communication companies. The product had to meet stringent standards involving operation, durability, effectiveness and reliability. For example, each radio had to have a specific channel plan where all maritime VHF band channels could be selectable, including the duplex channels for both transmit and receive. HM Coastguard private channels also had to be programmable.

Icom successfully won the contract in October and has since supplied the agency with their equipment. Installing the Icom VHF radios into the vehicles will be the job of NTL Romsley of Hales Owen in the West Midlands. The first consignment of radios was installed at the end of November 1999 and the remaining order will be put in by the end of the year. The vehicle fleet will enter service over the next 3 months The IC-M59Euro will provide an important function in the overall operation of the MCA. The radio will act as backup and emergency cover to the agency’s fixed radio stations. The vehicles in which the radios are installed will also provide another important function in carrying search and rescue equipment, essential in any emergency.

Richard Wooton, Telecommunications Manager at the MCA said, ‘The IC-M59Euro was chosen because it was the most cost-effective radio to meet all our requirements.’

Bob Stockley, Sales & Marketing Director said, ‘Knowing that the MCA looked very carefully at a number of competitors before finally deciding on the IC-M59Euro, gave us a great feeling of satisfaction. The quality of the IC-M59Euro is very evident but I would also like to thank our sales staff for the effort they gave in securing this important contract.’

Icom UK Marketing - marketing@icomuk.co.uk