Hytera PoC radios help test Tour de France

July 2022 saw the 109th edition of the Tour de France, which kicked off in Denmark for the very first time. In the lead-up to the event, Danish comms supplier Northcom leased Hytera PoC radios to Norwegian volunteer association Idretten Skaper Sjanser (Sport Creates Chances).

Idretten Skaper Sjanser is an association that helps victims of substance abuse get back into life through exercise and sports. It is owned by the Norwegian Cycling Association, the Norwegian Ski Association and the Norwegian Equestrian Association, and collaborates with local clubs affiliated with these three associations.

ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation), which is behind the Tour de France, had invited Idretten Skaper Sjanser to test the stages at this year’s event. A team of 35 participants tested two out of three of the Danish stages before the actual Tour de France riders had to go through, accompanied by a couple of cars. In order to be able to communicate with the riders, the drivers needed to rely on radio communication with full coverage over the entire route.

Idretten Skaper Sjanser got in touch with Northcom, who supplied the association with Hytera’s PNC370 model PoC radios. As the need was only temporary, Northcom offered the radios to rent. Idretten Skaper Sjanser received a number of radios including SIM cards, which could be used between the riders and the drivers in the cars.

For Idretten Skaper Sjanser there were several advantages to renting the Hytera radios — the biggest of which was that participants could easily and simply communicate with each other about any potential issues. By using the radios instead of their mobile phones, they simultaneously achieved full coverage over the entire route to all involved parties. It was also an advantage that they could settle for renting instead of owning the radios, so they avoided ongoing maintenance after the race. Bluetooth in the handheld radio made it possible to operate over the cars’ normal car radios, and here they enjoyed good sound quality.

When the participants reached the finish line, they heard from another group of testers that they could well have used Hytera radios for their race, having lost contact with each other along the way. The advantage of Hytera PoC radios over a commercial radio system is that they use the existing LTE masters and do not require the set-up of repeater equipment or the search for licences.

Idretten Skaper Sjanser was very satisfied with the Hytera radios and has already expressed a desire to rent them again at future cycling events, including outside of Denmark.

Images courtesy of Idretten Skaper Sjanser