Radios at the ready for America's Cup yachting heroes

MAY 2007 - The battle for yachting’s premier international trophy, the America’s Cup, began in April – and Tait will be there every splash of the wake.

Tait Electronics is a team supplier to Emirates Team New Zealand, one of 11 boats challenging the current holders, Switzerland, for the Cup.

Shortly after arriving in Valencia, Spain, where racing is taking place,, Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) report they have just completed the installation and testing of their Tait-supplied radio equipment.

ETNZ head technician Greg Lewis says, since arriving back in Valencia, the set up has also been smooth and straightforward.

"Thanks to our Auckland trials over Christmas and last year's practice in Spain, we know that these radios are crystal clear and totally secure. This is crucial because as we approach the start of the series, the stakes get higher, competitors seek any advantage and the need for encrypted communications is paramount."

Christchurch-based Tait is supplying ETNZ with APCO P25 digital radios fitted with encryption - the same type of sophisticated solution that is used by police and emergency services - giving the team the advantage of crystal clear voice communications that keeps their team secrets safe from the prying ears of competitors. Tait's proven range of advanced P25 digital base stations, mobiles and portables have been installed in tenders, chase boats and the race yachts.

"To be able to compete at this level we need the best equipment and at the end of the day, we are proud Kiwis racing for our country. So to be able to use world-class radio technology, which happens to be New Zealand-engineered and New Zealand-made, is really quite special," says Mr Lewis.

Tait Electronics Managing Director, Michael Chick, says there are a number of parallels that can be drawn between the successes of New Zealand businesses and its sports teams. "There have been many separate teams here at Tait that have contributed to the P25 solution: engineering teams, manufacturing teams, design teams and sales teams."

Tait has had significant export success with the P25 digital range securing contracts in North and South America and Australia. "But this isn't simply an opportunity to showcase our latest digital radio products. All our 650 New Zealand staff are extremely proud to support other Kiwis succeeding on the global stage," Michael says.

ETNZ is using two TB9100 base stations and two TM9100 mobiles on its tender and a TM9100 mobile is installed on each of three chase boats and three weather boats.  On board the yachts, crew members are communicating with about 26 TP9100 portable radios.