Kutta Technologies, a designer and manufacturer of radios for underground operations, has received Part 23 MSHA certification for a medium frequency (MF) radio system for use in underground mines. The Digital Radio for Underground Miners (DRUM) radio system is a wireless communication system designed specifically with the MINER Act in mind. The approval covers Kutta’s cross-band repeaters that use MF for multiple-mile communication links and also act as UHF/VHF hotspots. A follow-on approval of portable units is expected very soon.

Kutta’s DRUM radio system seamlessly inter-operates with leaky feeder systems and, according to the company, is an excellent choice for MINER Act compliance for redundant communication systems. The system cost and maintenance cost of the DRUM system is much less than that of leaky feeders and node-based systems. The radios can transmit a signal on any metal infrastructure, which provides an excellent chance of communicating after an incident. Kutta says that many of the largest underground coal mines in the U.S. are planning to use its DRUM system to meet the MINER Act. The system is also a cost-effective choice for smaller mine operators to achieve MINER Act compliance.

“The MSHA certification allows us the opportunity to go forward with the planned installs of the system,” said Matthew Savoca, President of Kutta Technologies. “There is no reason for mine operators to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars or more for MINER Act compliance now that we have this MSHA approved system,” Savoca added.