The Mine Rescue Squad was eager to source a means of communication that would assist in communicating directly between members in emergency situations regardless of their location. After considerable research Mr. Peter Rowe a long term volunteer and President (for many years) recommended the purchase of 12 VHF (Very High Frequency) Traeger mobile radios.
To support the purchase of these radios the Coober Pedy Lions Club held a Gala day at the Coober Pedy Race Club and as a result all the money needed to purchase the 12 VHF mobile radios for the Coober Pedy Mine Rescue Squad was raised on that day. The Coober Pedy Lions Club President Mr. Don Mazzone at the time was delighted to hand over a cheque for $9,000 to the Coober Pedy Mine Rescue Squad.
Six months after the initial discussion and decision to purchase the VHF Traeger mobile radios Bill McDougall recalls that on the 18th of March 1979, twelve VHF mobile radios were installed in each member’s vehicles with the Traeger base station set up at Mrs. June Radeka’s dugout. The base unit was manned mostly by June Radeka with support from her family for many years. The radios remained in use for 25 years until they were replaced by UHF (Ultra High Frequency) Radios.