Sub-Band Free Radios – Do they really help?

Posted on by Aviat Networks

By Stuart Little, Director of International Product Line Marketing

In the past years, a few microwave vendors have introduced ‘sub-band free’ RF outdoor units into the market. The main claim of these radios is that a single hardware variant can be deployed in any frequency sub-band, simplifying and lower costs involved with ordering, deployment and sparing of microwave networks.

However, these new radios are not available in all bands and come with a number of limitations, including lower RF performance, larger size, and weight, higher cost, limitations in modulation and channel sizes, amongst others. Continue reading →

Microwave Remains Operational through Field Fires in George, South Africa

Posted on by Aviat Networks

The Garden Route district is located along a 300 kilometer stretch of the south-eastern coast of South Africa in Western Cape province, about 450 kilometers east of Cape Town. It’s a popular tourist destination, especially in spring and summer. However, its lush vegetation is prone to field fires, particularly in drier times.

In late October 2018, field fires raged across the area, with ongoing blazes in the municipality of George and the Outeniqua Pass area. Hundreds of municipality firefighters, area volunteers, and firefighters assisting from other districts fought to contain the fire. Seven fatalities were reported, and the pass was closed for an extended period. Entire suburban sections of George, not far from thickly wooded areas along the Garden Route, were evacuated. Continue reading →