Transcript 800 MHz Voice/Radio - MCFRS Tech Training

800 MHz Voice/Radio: VRS Training
MCFRS Technology Training
7-71-72N: What is VRS?
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What: VRS is short for Vehicular Repeater System – All the
Battalion Chiefs’ buggies have had repeaters installed in them
and a few engines in border areas.
Why: With a VRS on-site, we can add to existing coverage by
bringing a conventional channel to the repeater.
Where: The VRS may be used in areas where coverage is weak
for portable radios, including near the river and (to some degree)
parking garages and other underground structures.
When: The VRS won’t be needed very often, but it provides
another tool for life safety.
How Does the VRS Work?
User switches
to the VRS
Channel
(Repeat Mode)
What Happens If You Can’t Reach the VRS?
User Switches
Radio
Receives
User
Switches
to
Direct
User Switcheson Direct
back toMode
Repeat
to Direct
Like the
Scan Feature
VRS Channel
Zone
Name
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
7
MC Main
DISP
OPS
INC10
INC11
INC12
ANN10
INC20
INC21
INC22
ANN20
AL7K
AL7L
AN7M
VRS
FDTA
OPS
71
MC ALT
DISP
OPS
INC30
INC31
INC32
ANN30
INC40
INC41
INC42
ANN40
AL71K
AL71L
AN71M
VRS
FDTA
OPS
72
MC EMS
DISP
OPS
CALL
CNSL1
CNSL2
INC
50
INC
51
INC
52
ANN
50
INC
60
INC
61
INC
62
ANN
60
VRS
FDTA
OPS
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Similar to FDTA, VRS is a simplex channel on which
you can talk with other personnel on direct mode.
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This channel cannot be heard by ECC.
This channel is only scanned by other radios on 7N,
71N, 72N.
What About the EB?
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Personnel using the VRS channel (7-71-72 N) must
remember that the EB is not effective unless the
Battalion Chief’s VRS is on site.
Pressing the EB will activate the VRS (if it is not already
running within the incident).
ECC will note that the Battalion Chief’s radio has
activated the EB. ECC and the Battalion Chief will need to
determine who is experiencing an emergency.
Personnel who are out of VRS range (e.g., several floors
deep within a parking garage) will not be able to use the
EB (because they’re out of range) and should use the
radio as if the VRS was not part of the incident.
How to Switch between Repeat and Direct Modes?
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The concentric ring switch (the key pad lock/unlock
ring) will enable you to toggle between direct and
repeat modes
7-71-72N (November)
Concentric Ring Switch
Repeat Mode
Direct Mode
Vehicular Repeater System (VRS) Usage Flow Chart
How to Determine When to Use 7-71-72 N
Your Radio Is
Out of Range
(Honks At You)
Is VRS
On-Site and On?
No
Switch to 7-71-72 N
Press the PTT Button
Are You in
Direct Mode?
No
Change Your
Concentric Ring to O
Yes
Yes
Are You Able
to Communicate
with Others?
Switch to 7-71-72 N
Press the PTT Button
No
Switch to 7O (FDTA)
Yes
Did You Hear
the Right Beeps?
No
Key Up and Inform the
Other(s) That You Are
Talking on 7-71-72 N
in Direct Mode
Yes
Continue Normal
Operations
Continue Normal
Operations
Continue Normal
Operations
What Are the Basics to Remember?
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Personnel on an incident who cannot reach the repeater
(pre-VRS) should use FDTA (7-71-72 O).
If the Battalion Chief decides to use the VRS when (s)he
arrives onscene, (s)he should switch to the primary
incident talkgroup and then announce to personnel that
the VRS is available and in use.
Personnel who have been using FDTA may switch to the
VRS channel (7-71-72 N) and use Repeater Mode. They
will know they are in repeater mode (not Direct Mode)
because they will not see the direct symbol (->) on their
radios. The Concentric Ring Switch allows the user to
change between Direct and Repeater mode.
Some personnel may still be out of range (in the extreme
cases) and will need to communicate with others on VRS
Channel using Direct Mode (similar to FDTA).