This 8 channel FM version of the Tait Maxiphone
was used in trials prior to the change of the entire Police Network from
AM to FM. It was equipped with 7 repeater and 1 simplex channel. This
unit is notable for the use of the telephone style handset rather than
the more usual hand microphone.
The Northland District was chosen to test the system, and seven FM repeaters
were installed throughout the Northland District and three additional
repeaters in the Auckland region (at Torbay, Mt Eden and at Bombay) provided
communications for any Northland patrols which had to travel out of their
area. These channels were monitored by the Auckland Control room.
Once the FM system had been tested, and approved, the national changeover
from AM to FM commenced in the South Island in 1986 progressed Northwards,
finally being completed in 1991.
The
FM version of the Maxiphone was never used in regular police service as
the new FM equipment was the later model Tait
T200 FM radio.
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