Originally Posted By: Treeseeker
Quote:
News reports that the new Fire Department radios did not work in the tunnel, and that they had to use "runners" to communicate with the surface.


I'm not a rocket surgeon, but it seems like in that situation they could have just stationed several people within radio range of each other in the tunnel so as to relay messages to the surface.


Depends on how the radios are set and used. Most modern radio system has a direct and trunk modes. But can't do both at the same time. Trunk modes allow channel control and stacking message by a centralised control. While direct mode is local only.

Radio repeaters are mandatory in large public buildings and special object (like tunnels) in a lot of countries to prevent this issue.

It's not new and the solutions is well known. Just having the will and resources to implement it varies. Not sure what the local DC law requires...
_________________________