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Industry Guide

Uncompromised Connectivity with Vehicle-as-a-Node (VaaN)

The Future of Critical Communications 


When emergencies strike, communications can fail fast. Towers drop. Networks congest. Crews lose contact. Coordination slows, just when every second counts.

VaaN keeps the links open. Always. 

Our VaaN (Vehicle-as-a-Node) solution turns your vehicle into a roaming comms hub, integrating HF, VHF, UHF, LTE, satellite, and even airband into one seamless system. One handset. One interface. Always connected.

Want your crews to train once, not five times?

Let’s cut the clutter one handset means fewer delays, faster action

Tell us a bit about your setup and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Contact us

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How Crews Stay Connected | The Mobile Communications Solution 


Built for the field

Emergency Services
Emergency Services
  • Comms coordinators 
  • Paramedics and ambulance crews 
  • Police and fire agencies 
  • SES and disaster response teams 


Mining, Utilities & Remote Ops
Mining, Utilities & Remote Ops
  • Fleet and field managers 
  • Site supervisors and safety leads 
  • Underground crews and outback operators 
Government & Defence 
  • Mobile incident command
  • Border, quarantine and surveillance teams 
  • Multi-agency comms hubs 
Aviation, Maritime & Infrastructure
  • Base-to-tower and ship-to-shore comms leads 
  • Regional airstrips and port authorities 
  • Contractors maintaining critical assets 

What our Vehicle-as-a-Node (VaaN) System Delivers 
One handset. All bands. Less downtime. 

Powered by the Nexion SmartPatch operators can manage HF, VHF, UHF, LTE, satellite, and RoIP from one handset. This reduces complexity and helps teams stay focused on the mission. 

Fewer Devices, Faster Respon​se  

  • One interface reduces dashboard clutter 
  • Single-handset operation reduces training time 
  • Simplified comms means faster action under pressure 
  • Reduced training time 

Battery Management 

  • Smart battery management prevents vehicles from being drained, keeping crews mission-ready 
  • Monitors power draw across all connected bearers (10w – 250w). 
  • Sends alerts for high usage or low terminal voltage. 
  • GEO Fencing triggers automatic shutoff of unnecessary devices when vehicles return to base or move out of range. 
  • Protects the vehicle’s direct current (DC) supply and reduces the risk of flat primary batteries. 

Proven Results in the Field 

  • 100% uptime on LRDR links during multi-day outages  
  • 35% faster coordination where Mobile Communications systems were in place  
  • Zero dropout in areas using SmartPatch-backed VaaN deployments 

Close-up of a SmartPatch handheld controller used to manage multiple communication networks from one device.

Blackspot? Cyclone? Still connected.

With the Mobile Communications' VaaN solution, your crews don’t waste time switching radios or second-guessing channels. 
They stay focused on the mission and connected when it matters most.

Ready for a demo? 

Where our Vehicle-as-a-Node (VaaN) system Makes a Difference

Multi-Agency Coordination 

In emergencies, police, fire, ambulance, and SES often operate on separate radio networks. That fragmentation slows response. Our system breaks down those silos. 

By connecting UHF, VHF, HF, and digital systems into one platform, we enable real-time communication across agencies without delays, duplication, or confusion. 

  • One platform, all agencies 
  • Instant interoperability across radio types 
  • Faster, safer coordination when every second counts  

Remote & Off-Grid Operations 

In industries like mining, utilities, aviation, and maritime, coverage gaps are the norm.  

Our VaaN system ensures your teams stay connected, no matter how remote whether deep in the outback, in the littoral zone, or in the air. 

  • Trusted off-grid connectivity 
  • One system connecting multiple networks 
  • Reliable comms in the harshest environments

The Pacific: Where Infrastructure is Limited  

Across the Pacific, communications infrastructure is often fragile or incomplete. Cyclones, volcanic activity, and patchy national networks create major challenges for governments, NGOs, and industries.  

Our VaaN system provides secure, reliable communications that go beyond local infrastructure. This ensures aid agencies, Defence teams, and health services can operate confidently, even in remote island nations. 

  • Disaster-ready communications 
  • Secure and resilient systems that bypass fragile networks 
  • Support for humanitarian aid, defence, and remote health operations 

How VaaN helped in Cyclone Alfred

Read more about how our VaaN system supported response efforts. 

Emergency Services Case Study

How our VaaN system works

Graphic displaying how VaaN works

One SmartPatch handset providing single point of control for all comms networks

User Interface

Handset/Controller: Crews use a single, handset to control all connected networks (no need for multiple radios cluttering the dashboard). ​

Vehicle Boot / Cargo Area

Nexion SmartPatch: When teamed with compatible radios and devices, SmartPatch unifies and creates a simplified communications ecosystem providing:  

  • Reduced training costs 
  • Enhanced diagnostic capabilities  
  • Seamless migration to new or additional technologies 

Our VaaN system turns the vehicle into a mobile command centre with every major communication network available. 

  • VHF DMR Radio – ideal for rural, open terrain. 
  • UHF CB Radio – good in built-up or industrial areas. 
  • Digital HF Radio – long-range, no-tower comms for remote/off-grid. 
  • 4G/5G LTE – high-speed mobile data when coverage is available. 
  • Satellite – global connectivity when terrestrial networks fail. 
  • Airband Radio Integration – links into aviation channels for air-to-ground coordination. 

Nexion SmartPatch unit installed in vehicle boot linking multiple radio and data networks

Remote User

Crews, vehicles, and even aircraft stay connected in real time, no matter where they are. 

Remote users connected via SmartPatch-enabled vehicle node, ensuring communication across agencies and environments

Your Mission, is Our Misson 

Choosing between HF, VHF, and UHF depends on your coverage needs. VaaN combines them all. With VaaN, Mobile Communications is able to deliver one interoperable, secure, and field-ready system. 

 

Want to understand the differences between each band? 

​​Read our Radio Industry Guide      ​​Contact us

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Here at Mobile Communications are tech agnostic. We integrate existing radio networks (HF, VHF, UHF), LTE, Digital Radio, and LEO satellite technologies into one seamless comms system. Whether you’re running Codan, Icom, Motorola, Tait or mixed protocols, we make it work together. 

Not significantly. Our SmartPatch platform monitors power draw across bearers, typically ranging from 10 to 250 watts per asset. It can automatically disconnect high-drain devices based on geolocation or low voltage, helping protect your vehicle’s DC (direct current) supply and avoid flat batteries. 

Yes. You can configure preferred bearers and enable least-cost routing. This lets your system automatically select the best available path or stay on your chosen network when required. 

Yes. The SmartPatch system uses one handset to control all connected radios, including HF, UHF, VHF, LTE, and satellite. This reduces training, simplifies vehicle setup, and ensures your crew always knows how to connect. 

Yes. We support full interoperability between your current radio equipment and LEO satellite services like Starlink or OneWeb, all managed through a single SmartPatch controller. 

Minimal. We also offer professional training tailored to your setup so your team is confident using the system in the field, not just during handover. 

Contact us

Ready to Build Resilient Comms?


Let’s talk about how Vehicle-as-a-Node can support your agency, team, or fleet -on road, off-grid, in Australia or across the Pacific. 

 Call us on +61 7 3373 2345     Email us today