Best Communication Solutions for Mine Rescue Teams
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The best communication solutions for mine rescue teams pair handheld radios carried underground with a portable repeater positioned where it can reach both the surface and the workings. Retevis pairs the RB24 handheld radio with the RB91 repeater. During UK field testing, five radios stayed connected across roughly 500 m of difficult underground terrain, and a later test exceeded 1.5 km.
Customer Challenges
Complex Underground Terrain
Shafts, rock pillars, doors, corners, and irregular tunnels can obstruct radio signals and create communication gaps.
Surface-to-Underground Coordination
Rescue teams need reliable communication between surface personnel and teams operating underground.
Long-Distance Communication
Mine rescue operations may extend across significant underground distances, making communication coverage critical.
Portable Deployment
Rescue equipment needs to be easy to transport and quickly deploy at different locations as operations change.
Recommended Solution
RB24 + RB91 Mine Rescue Communication System
The RB24 handheld radios and RB91 repeater provide a portable communication system for mine rescue operations.
RB24 radios are carried by rescue personnel, while the RB91 repeater supports communication between different operating areas. The repeater can be positioned at a suitable location according to the mine layout, helping extend communication beyond direct handheld-to-handheld coverage.
During the initial field test, one RB24 was placed in a surface office, another at the bottom of a 150 m slope, and the RB91 approximately 35 m away through doors and around a corner. Additional RB24 radios were distributed through the underground workings. Five handsets maintained communication over approximately 500 m in difficult conditions.
The customer later reported more than 1.5 km communication with five radios in difficult underground terrain.
Portable Deployment
The repeater system can be assembled into a portable case for transportation and rapid deployment. In the field test, the customer mounted the equipment in a Pelican case, with an external magnetic antenna connected by coaxial cable. The antenna could be positioned higher when required.
- Easy to transport
- Quick setup underground
- Flexible antenna positioning
- Suitable for changing rescue locations
Benefits
Extended Underground Communication
Support communication across shafts, tunnels, and other challenging underground areas.
Surface-to-Underground Connectivity
Keep rescue teams and surface personnel connected during operations and training.
Portable & Flexible Deployment
Move and reposition the repeater system according to the mine layout and rescue requirements.
Field-Tested Performance
Real-world testing demonstrated approximately 500 m communication in difficult underground terrain, followed by a 1.5 km+ test result with five radios.
Related Products
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Mine Rescue Communication FAQs
For most teams, the best communication solution for a mine rescue team is a two-part system: a handheld radio for every member plus a portable repeater positioned where it can reach both the surface and the workings. Teams operating in gas-hazardous atmospheres also need intrinsically safe certified equipment as required by their regulations. The Retevis RB24 + RB91 system is a portable, field-tested option for the coverage layer, with five radios verified at over 1.5 km in UK underground testing.
In UK field testing, five RB24 radios working with one RB91 repeater maintained communication over approximately 500 m, and a later test exceeded 1.5 km. Results depend on tunnel layout, rock conditions, and repeater placement, so teams should verify coverage with a survey in their own mine.
Yes. Both units operate on 400–470 MHz and require an amateur radio license in most jurisdictions. Check the rules that apply to your site before deployment.
No IP rating is claimed for either unit. Protect them from water in wet conditions, do not submerge them, and store the repeater in its case when the environment demands it.
The RB24 runs about 10 hours of working time from its 1,300 mAh battery and recharges over Type-C. The RB91 provides about 10 hours of operation and roughly seven days of standby from a 15,000 mAh battery.
RB24 handhelds can auto-network and relay across up to 30 units. Multiple RB91 repeaters can also be linked to extend coverage across a larger mine.
Yes. The RB91 runs on its built-in 15,000 mAh battery, and an external solar panel can provide short-term emergency charging where no mains supply exists. For daily operation, keep the battery topped up from the main power supply.
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