800 MHz Radio Update: July 2006 MCFRS IT Training

Overview What, Why, Where and When? How Does the VRS Work? What Happens If You Can’t Reach the VRS? How to Switch between Repeat and Direct Modes? How to Determine When to Use N Why Not Just Use FDTA and Avoid the Changes? How to Break Down the New Template? Need a Cheat Sheet? How Should You Get Help?

What, Why, Where and When? What: VRS is short for Vehicular Repeater System – we’re installing repeaters in the Batallion Chiefs’ buggies 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. Reprogramming runs July 31 – August 14.

How Does the VRS Work? User switches to the VRS Channel

What Happens If You Can’t Reach the VRS? User Switches to Simplex User Switches to Simplex Radio Receives on Simplex by Default User Switches back to Repeat

How to Switch between Repeat and Direct Modes? The concentric ring switch (still the soft-key lock/unlock on every other talkgroup) will enable you to toggle between direct and repeat modes. Concentric Ring Switch Repeat ModeDirect Mode

How to Determine When to Use N

Why Not Just Use FDTA and Avoid the Changes? While FDTA is a conventional channel, it needed to stay separate from the VRS.  A VRS will not always be available (e.g., calls where the BCs don’t respond)  Prince George’s County agreed to share the channel that we are using so long as it is only used when a VRS is needed

New Template & Changes

Template Changes: 7s for Montgomery County

7: Primary Zone, formerly Fire Zone 7 71: Formerly Zone 8 72: Formerly EMS Zone 9 73: Formerly 18, Still MC Police Zone 74: Formerly 11, Still Major Incident Zone 75: Formerly 12, Still Coordination Zone 76: Formerly 17, Still Admin Zone 79: Formerly 10, Still Hospital Zone

Template Changes: Talkgroup Shift

7 & 9 No Longer Mirrored for INC 20 & INC 30 INC 10: No Change (7C – 7F) INC 20: No Change (7G – 7J) INC 30: 71C – 71F INC 40: 71G – 71J (new) INC 50: 72F – 72I (new) INC 60: 72J – 72M (new) Chit-Chat: 7K, 7L, 71K and 71L (ANN also Available on M) HNET Shifted to 72Q for EMS Duty Officers

Template Changes: Talkgroup Shift No Changes to Any of the Following:  DISP ( A)  OPS ( B or P)  FDTA ( O)  EMRC (72C – E)

Template Changes: COG Coordination Shift

DC: 0 (Unchanged), add 03 (DC MA – Requires a Patch) will be added when we buy new model radios PG: 8 (Expected 700 or 800 MHz within a Few Years) Frederick: 9 Howard: Renamed HO Carroll: Renamed CA Mutual Aid: Renamed MA (from Zone 13)

Template Changes: November

N has become the VRS Channel. It is easily accessible in most any environment.

New Template & Changes

Need a Cheat Sheet? TalkgroupsOld ProgrammingNew Programming INC 107C – 7F INC 207G – 7J & 9G – 9J7G – 7J INC 307K – 7N & 9K – 9N71C – 71F INC 408C – 8F71G – 71J INC 50(n/a)72F – 72I INC 60(n/a)72J – 72M Chit-Chat TGs7C & 8C7K, 7L, 71K, 71L Dispatch7A, 8A & 9A7A, 71A & 72A Operations7B, 7P, 8B, 8P, 9B, 9P7B, 7P, 71B, 71P, 72B & 72P EMRC9C – 9E72C – 72E FDTA7O, 8O & 9O7O, 71O & 72O Hospital Zone10A – 10P79A – 79P