World English Sporting Clay Championships 2025: A Perfect Shot with Icom LTE Radios

Safety is a top priority in any clay pigeon shooting event, where loud gunshots and live ammunition are all part of the experience. At the 2025 World English Sporting Clay Championships, Icom LTE radios were used by communications equipment supplier Talking Headsets (SWATCOM) who provided a combined solution that allowed event staff to operate with crystal-clear communication and top-quality hearing protection.

This year the World English Sporting Clay Championships were held in England at the E.J. Churchill Shooting Ground in High Wycombe. The competition, which rotates annually between England and the USA, drew shooters from around the globe for a week-long festival from July 12th to 19th 2025.

Prior to the event, Talking Headsets and Icom UK surveyed the E.J. Churchill estate to determine the issues encountered with the two-way radio system that had been used in previous events. The conventional radios had failed to provide communication between the clubhouse and the remote layouts due to the vast distance, hills and woodland. Icom IP503H LTE/PoCHandsets were chosen as the best option to overcome these issues and paired with SWATCOM hearing protection, the combined setup provided to be a solution that kept the event safe and efficient from start to finish.

This integrated setup was especially useful for the event staff involved in the logistical coordination of each shoot. Referees used the system to make calls and maintain order, while safety officers relied on the setup to quickly address any potential issues. Clay loaders and other staff involved in the shoot operations also used the SWATCOM ear defenders and Icom IP503H radios to ensure a smooth flow of shoots, which was especially important given the fast-paced nature of competitive clay shooting.

To maintain seamless communication across the entire event, officials who were stationed away from the shooting site were also equipped with Icom IP503H LTE handsets. The devices provided a robust link between various teams, ensuring a cohesive operation between front-of-house staff, car park operators and catering staff. The LTE radio network allowed everyone involved to stay connected and respond effectively to any situation, regardless of their location within the grounds.

Keith Foote, Managing Director of Talking Headsets said, "The Icom LTE radios gave the team consistent, reliable communication and I wasn't needed at all to resolve any issues. The combination of equipment kept the whole event running smoothly from start to finish and we wouldn’t have had such a successful World English Sporting Clay Championships this year without it!”

Head referee, Josh Foote said “The Icom LTE radios removed the distance barrier of conventional two-way radios and the multiplex channel that I had allowed me to hear every channel simultaneously, even when I had to go off site a few miles away I could still engage in all the chatter. I could communicate with one specific individual or everyone at the same time, this system is revolutionary! In the event of a breakdown on the course, we were able to resolve the problems much quicker and the audio clarity enabled me to recognise each person instantly. We had site wide, corner to corner communications without any hitches, brilliant!”

Talking Headsets have been supplying industry leading professional equipment since April 2000. Check out their website to view their products and services: www.talkingheadsets.co.uk.

As the UK's only shooting business of its kind, E.J. Churchill features its own gun making facility, clay shooting ground, events business, sporting agency and country clothing store. For more information visit their website: www.ejchurchill.com.

For more information about our LTE radios short term event hire, click here: Connect Your Upcoming Events_with Icom Hire Radios.

26/08/2025