Let's Comm
The next Let's Comm will be held in July 2025. Applications will open in March 2025.
The Let's Comm will train staff to deploy, maintain and troubleshoot radio systems with an emphasis on practical technical skills to deploy reliable radio systems. During the training, we will focus on a mindset of technical quality, testing to verify functionality and customer service. Equipment used will be both ICOM and Motorola radios defined as standard equipment in the UN Security Communication Systems VHF/UHF Standards.
Target Audience
This course is primarily for humanitarian ICT staff with a telecommunications focus who need skills in deploying VHF radio infrastructure. Participants need to already have a technical background in radio communications and be available for deployment in this type of role with their respective agencies. Knowledge of Motorola and ICOM programming as well as end-user experience is an advantage.
Number of participants: 12
Course Objective
Train participants to install, maintain, troubleshoot and administer a radio-based Security Communications System (SCS) conforming to the UN standards.
Learning objectives
During and after the course, participants will be able to:
| Program end-user radios according to the standards, using standard codeplugs |
| Assign callsigns and selcalls to users based on the standard callsign allocation sheet |
| Manage the radio network as a radio network administrator |
| Support end-user to access services on the radio network |
| Install, maintain and troubleshoot repeater systems, including programming, duplexer tuning and testing according to the standards, using standard codeplugs |
| Install, maintain and troubleshoot base radio systems, including programming and testing according to the standards, using standard codeplugs |
| Maintain and troubleshoot mobile radio systems, including programming and testing according to the standards, using standard codeplugs |
| Perform a technical assessment of repeater and base system sites based on the standard assessment checklist |
| demonstrate the ability to operate as a team in ETC emergency response operations. |
| demonstrate a service-oriented mindset in ETC emergency response operations. |
Topics covered
| Introduction to the ETC |
| The UN Security Communications System standards (TESS) |
| Standard radio procedures and callsigns / selcalls |
| Basic RF theory (VHF) |
| Overview of VHF radio networks |
| Standard radio equipment |
| Programming end-user radios |
| End-user support |
| Technical site assessments |
| Technical skills – Mounting connectors, measuring RF power / SWR, duplexer tuning |
| Physical installation and maintenance of base, mobile and repeater systems |
| Troubleshooting radio systems |
Format and Language
This is a blended programme that includes self-paced learning and virtual sessions followed by a 5-day classroom training. Participants will be engaged in interaction and practical exercises in the classroom,while they will be expected to complete self-study modules and participate in virtual sessions prior to the classroom as part of the course syllabus.
Different sessions of the course are run, in English and in French.
