INUVIK - Search parties have had problems communicating with each other in the past while looking for missing people in the Delta.

Rolling hills, trees and distance are barriers to radio signals in the region.

Alana Mero points out the Mackenzie Delta on a map. She is seeking funding through International Polar Year to improve the radio signal in the region. She said it would help search and rescue groups. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Search organizers would like two repeater stations installed in the area.

According to RCMP search and rescue co-ordinator Jack Kruger, the repeaters are close to becoming a reality in the region.

"We know what we want, we just need the money for them," he said.

Kruger said most radios in the area have a range of only five to 10 miles, depending on their line of sight.

A repeater station is an antenna that relays signals from radios and amplifies their message.

"A repeater would quadruple the range and strength of the signal," he said.

Given the lay of the land in the region, Kruger said two repeaters would be a good fit in the delta.

He said similar repeaters are used around Great Slave Lake, and have been working fine.

"Hopefully we can have them ready to be installed next summer," said Kruger.

"But nothing is happening until the funding comes through."

International Polar Year (IPY) co-ordinator Alana Mero has submitted a proposal for the funding and is waiting to hear back.

Mero said while rescue parties are searching, they need to be able to speak to each other.

"The dilemma is when we're on the delta, we don't have a common communications system we can all be on," she said.

"You end up having communication that doesn't flow."

Mero said repeaters would open up the whole Delta to radio communication.

"It would be good to have one common channel of radio frequency we can all use," she said.

"If we're all on the same channel, it could be quick and easy to contact each other.

"If you're passing on information, it might be misinterpreted and you could send someone down the wrong route."

She added that since a lot of people are coming into the region for the studies of IPY, it would be good to keep them all as safe as possible.

"This would help the RCMP, CASARA, the hunters and trappers committee and other organizations that help in searches," she said.