Radio communications are vital for the Skye Mountain Rescue Team (SMRT) in getting help quickly and to the right part of the extensive Cuillin mountain range on the Isle of Skye. A radio repeater allows messages to reach hidden valleys that are communication black-out zones.
SMRT has the Extreme version of the LE-v50 with a number of important modifications over the standard LE-v50 to allow it to survive storm force winds and temperatures that dip to -10degC on top of the mountain.
LE-v50 Extreme Wind Turbine
The LE-v50 wind turbine is an essential bit of kit. Rescuers are dealing with life and death situations so getting a message to the base station at Sligachan or Glen Brittle, pinpointing where the casuality is and what sort of medical assistance is needed, is critical. Without a fully operational radio repeater powered by the LE-v50, none of this would be possible.Chris French, Skye Mountain Rescue Team
“Our radio repeater needs to be at the top of the highest mountain so a signal can reach deep into the Cuillin range but finding some way of powering this is a challenge as winds can gust up to 136mph and solar is no good during our short days in winter,” said Chris French of SMRT. “Following a recommendation from Glencoe Mountain Rescue, we purchased the Leading Edge LE-v50 Extreme wind turbine and the repeater has been operating 24/7 through two winters now.”
The vertical axis LE-v50 can be found powering equipment in some of the harshest parts of the world including Antarctica. While not as efficient as a traditional wind turbine, the LE-v50’s Savonious design means the turbine can survive where a horizontal axis turbine wouldn’t.
The VHF radio repeater serves inaccessible areas from the south side to the north side of the Cuillin range. It draws 25W when it’s transmitting and has a range of 15 miles, but most of the time it uses just 30mA (0.4W) – a low power load that doesn’t drain the batteries and allows the wind turbine to keep the batteries topped up, inputting power into a 110Ah deep-cycle AGM battery.
“The LE-v50 wind turbine is an essential bit of kit” continued Chris. “Rescuers are dealing with life and death situations so getting a message to the base station at Sligachan or Glen Brittle, pinpointing where the casualty is and what sort of medical assistance is needed, is critical. Without a fully operational radio repeater, none of this would be possible.”
The Extreme version of the LE-v50 with a number of important modifications over the standard LE-v50 to allow it to survive storm force winds and temperatures that dip to -10degC on top of the mountain. The black body reduces the build-up of rime ice, there are stronger fixing points on the rotor blades and stainless steel sealed bearings ensure a long operating life.
“During the summer, rescue teams are out on the mountains 2 or 3 times each week” commented Chris. “Many people not only have our brave rescuers to thank but also the technology that makes their rescue possible.” If you’d like to support the work of SMRT go to: www.justgiving.com/ismrt/Donate
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