Sepura launches first VHF TETRA radios

Radio manufacturer Sepura has announced the launch of its first-ever TETRA radio to operate in very high frequency (VHF).

The VHF version of Sepura’s SC Series radios have been designed for use by mission critical users in so-called “challenging conditions” such as extensive underground networks or vast wet and dusty conditions.

Variants of the SCG22 mobile and the hand-portable SC20 TETRA radios will make up the VHF solution by operating within the 136-174MHz spectrum.

According to the company, the devices will benefit from an ecosystem of audio, power and carrying accessories as well as advanced functionality from Sepura’s AppSPACE applications portfolio and wireless programming capability.

Terence Ledger, global sales director for Sepura, said: “This is a significant first for the company. Adding VHF capability to our existing product range means that users who have currently not been able to deploy TETRA can now do so. Having a full TETRA solution means they have access to the benefits of that platform, including increased channels and group call functions, interoperability, increased security, proven audio quality and much more. We are really excited by the opportunities that this presents us with.”

Sepura launched its VHF devices at Critical Communications World in Vienna alongside a new dual-mode version of its SCU3 Broadband Vehicle Device, which now features both TETRA and LTE bearers. The Class 3 TETRA module in the new SCU3 Dual Mode device supports Direct Mode in the 380-473MHz band.

The SCU3 was originally launched in 2021 and is a fully featured Android device offering 4G cellular services and access to the largest application ecosystem via its Android operating system, making it a multifunction converged device.

Peter Hudson, chief technology officer at Sepura, added: “Organisations are increasingly looking for flexible, rugged devices, capable of providing the best of both worlds – mission critical voice and high-speed data capability. The TETRA module in the SCU3 offers this to users in a familiar, trusted format, enabling organisations to extract full value from their critical communications solution.”

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Critical Communications World 2022 takes place between 21-23 June at the Messe Vienna, Austria