EFFICACY OF WALKIE - TALKIE by D.

Chandramohan ADEN / TDU Description: A walkie-talkie, or handie talkie, (more formally known as a handheld transceiver) is a hand-held, portable, two-way radio transceiver. Its development during the Second World War has been variously credited to Donald L. Hings, radio engineer Alfred J. Gross, and engineering teams at Motorola. Similar designs were created for other armed forces, and after the war, walkie-talkies spread to public safety and eventually commercial and jobsite work. Major characteristics include a half-duplex channel (only one radio transmits at a time, though any number can listen) and a "pushto-talk" (P.T.T) switch that starts transmission. Typical walkie-talkies resemble a telephone handset, possibly slightly larger but still a single unit, with an antenna sticking out of the top. Where a phone's earpiece is only loud enough to be heard by the user, a walkie-talkie's built-in speaker can be heard by the user and those in the user's immediate vicinity. Hand-held transceivers may be used to communicate between each other, or to vehicle-mounted or base stations. Communication: Communication means exchange of information by any means between two or more persons. Twenty first centurys the most powerful weapon is communication. Communication should be terse & effective and the result will be multifaceted such as better chances for influencing others, gaining support, motivation and in our case it is prevention of disaster. While communicating the essence of information what we said earlier will be altered by 20% when the same information reaches us by some other man. With the communication by Walkie-Talkie that 20% alteration can be avoided. Declension of communication: The alteration of information is inevitable as it passes from person to person. It runs as somewhat explained below. a. We hear half of what is said. b. We listen to half of that. c. We understand half of that. d. We believe half of that. e. And we remember half of that. f. Thus we retain 4% of what is said Suitability of Walkie-Talkie to Indian Railways: The fastest means for transmission of information can be through mobile phone or walkie-talkie. However most of the patrolmen are illiterate and they may not know how to use the mobile phone. Hence the medium of communication should be simple to use. In this connection Walkie-talkie fulfills

the requirements. Limitations of use of Walkie-Talkie: According to Railway Boards instructions, Walkie-Talkie sets should be used as means of Emergency Communication only. Wlakie-Talkie sets should not be used as an alternative to or replace physical exchange of signals, written authority to proceed, authority to pass a danger signal at danger etc under any circumstances. Use of Wlakie-Talkie sets should in no way contravene conditions required to be satisfied for reception/dispatch of trains as per G & SR. Versatility of Walkie-Talkie sets: Uses of Walkie-Talkie sets in regard to track patrolling and maintenance can be enumerated as below. a. Timely transmission of information regarding weld failures, rail fractures, wash outs, water- flow at HFL, sabotage of fastenings, gales and the list grows to fill one complete page. b. Walkie-talkie became the third wife of field supervisors if not the second as the track occupied the second position. c. It is always in the offing of supervisors to take traffic blocks, to ask for extension of traffic blocks and to enquire train where abouts. d. It is like a compass while doing trolley inspection. Mismanagement: To err is human. Hence negligence or lack of knowledge may pave the way for complete failure instead of well-timed communication. The following points should be kept in mind. a. The operation of W-T should be explained to patrolmen in understandable manner, otherwise the basic purpose will be ruined. b. Pressing and release of the button while talking requires more attention with which patrolmen should be made conversant. Because if he doesnt release the button after talking he cannot receive the voice. c. Rain impairs the functioning of W & T, if not protected properly. Unfortunately no protective cover is available except rain coat of patrolman. Practical cases in point:

Here are some excerpts from my experiences with Walkie-Talkie sets. a. Traffic blocks for destressing of LWR of 20 kms (UP&DN) between RMY & DRR was an indispensable task by W & T. b. To mention one, Weld failure at km: 80/15-16(UP) was informed by night patrolman through W & T and averted a mishap. c. Lifting of long sags with theodolite from km: 90 to 88 (UP) between DRR & RMY were managed through W & T. d. Driver of a goods-train was alerted by me through W & T to stop it at Km: 65/8-9(DN) when I

found a weld failure while doing trolley inspection between MVH & TDU. Suggestions: Certain drawbacks have been noticed and they must be overcome for effective utilization of WalkieTalkie sets. a. Spare batteries must be available. b. Connectivity range must be increased to make them suitable for lengthier block sections. c. Pouch for carrying W & T set has to be supplied. d. Its size and weight are to be reduced as it is an additional weight to patrolman. e. Communication with driver, guard & station master ought to be in one channel. Otherwise patrolman has to talk to SM first who in turn informs the driver. Because an illiterate patrolman cannot change the channel. Meanwhile mishap does not wait for the communication to take its long course. f. Mobile service centers are effectively should be organized to undertake repairs/services for effective working of walkie talkie. g. VHF set which is centralized at stations are in scan mode, when call receives through walkie talkie within 8 seconds he should be in position to respond which is not sustainable with present mode of stress. The field staff ore feeling stress and loosing confidence for non responsive talk there by purpose of communication is vitiated. h. Ike other control units working at present i.e section control & Traction power control centralized communication system is being adopted and successfully dealt with field staff in organizational of field works. Where as engineering department having a major role in up keeping of rail safety and having with engineering control it does not facilitate with centralized system of communication with field staff. Inferences: The following conclusions can be drawn from the present study. a. Various maintenance operations can be done with least or no detention to trains. b. Emergency repairs to weld/rail failures can be better managed. c. It does not need any prowess and is simple to use even by illiterates. d. Transmission of activities of antisocial elements (regarding track) can be dealt effectively. e. Any impediment to the track in the form of boulders, washouts etc. can be handled effectively so that loss can be minimized. Any information that enhances this presentations is welcome.