1. An Overview of Sumner County Emergency Communications December 2012 1

2. “Left click” anywhere on the screen to advance to the next slide. “Right click”, then “left click” the Previous Screen command on the opening dialog box to return to the previous slide.. 2 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012

3. 3 For the last several decades, Sumner County Public Safety Agencies have used a conventional repeated radio system. Using a series of radio towers, each tower is equipped with a repeater capable of producing only one audio path at a time. Only one radio conversation at a time can be conducted. SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012

4. 4 A new FCC mandate required that existing radio frequencies be split in half by January 1, 2013 to add additional capabilities. Frequencies were previously split by.25mHz. Example: 462.000 462.250 462.500 462.750 463.000 With narrowbanding, frequencies are split by.125mHz. Example: 462.0000 462.1250 462.2500 462.3750 463.5000 462.6250 462.7500 462.8750 463.5000 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012

5. 5 In conjunction with narrowbanding, it was decided to transition to a trunked radio system to add capabilities. For the UHF Band, trunking is called “LTR”, Logic Trunked Radio. Uses a single of radio tower, equipped with multiple repeaters that are linked together by a control unit. Multiple audio paths, called talk groups, are capable of being made with the system.

6. 6 When the repeater on a Conventional system is busy, you must wait for it to be free before you can transmit. When the repeater on a trunked system is busy, your transmission is automatically routed to the next available repeater. SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012

7. 7 One TowerOne Repeater One Channel

8. 8 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 One Tower Multiple Repeaters

9. 9 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Old System 2 Law Enforcement channels 6 Fire/EMS/EMA Ops channels New System 6 Law Enforcement talk groups 2 Fire/EMS talk groups 2 EMA talk groups 6 Tactical talk groups 3 Training talk groups 3 “Common” (interagency) talk groups + 5 conventional Ops Channels = 8 channels = 27 channels (and it’s expandable)

10. 10 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Activation Indicator Old System You must pause after pressing the PTT Button before speaking to allow the repeater to open. This prevents front-end clipping, however there is no indicator to let you know when it is ready for your transmission. New System After pressing the PTT Button, you will hear a short “beep” indicating the repeater has activated and ready for your transmission.

11. 11 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Better System Flexibility Current System All channels must be shared between a large group of users. Channels can quickly become overloaded if there is a lot of activity. New System Police Detectives have their own talk groups. Tactical channels allow for operations without interfering with dispatch channels. Training channels available for training that will not interfere with dispatch operations. There are “common” channels available for unit-to-unit traffic that will not interfere with dispatch operations.

12. 12 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 “Zones” are banks of talk groups or channels that share a common use or purpose. Some zones contain trunked talk groups, while other zones contain conventional radio channels. Exception: Portable radios do not have the same programming capabilities as mobile radios. Most portable radio zones contain only one talk group/channel. (Refer to radio templates for talk group/channel configuration.

13. 13 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Zone 1 contains the primary LTR Talk Groups assigned to the System 1 Home. These are the primary channels in use by the system. Patrol 1, Investigations 1, Fire/EMS 1, TAC 1, TAC 11, Administration 1, EMA 1, Training 1, and Common 1. Patrol – Law Enforcement Dispatch and Operations Investigations – For use by detectives Fire/EMS – Primary Fire, EMS, and EMA Operations TAC - Tactical Channels EMA – EMA Operations Training – Used for training ops Common – Interagency talk group for communications between agencies

14. 14 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Because narrowbanding reduces the radio range of RF converge, Zone 2 contains channels in the southern area of the county that link to Patrol 1 and Patrol 2. Patrol S – Law Enforcement southern area links to Patrol 1 and 2

15. 15 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Zone 3 contains the secondary LTR Talk Groups assigned to the System 2 Home. These are the channels used by the system in the event Zone 1 fails. Patrol 2, Investigations 2, Fire/EMS 2, TAC 2, TAC 12, Administration 2, EMA 2, Training 2, and Common 2.

16. 16 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Zone 4 contains the LTR Talk Groups assigned to System 3. TAC 3, TAC 13, Training 3, and Common 3.

17. 17 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Zone 5 is empty and reserved for future use.

18. 18 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Zone 6 is a channel to link Courthouse Security and WPD downtown area handhelds to Patrol 1. The channel only covers in the immediate vicinity of the Courthouse.

19. 19 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Zone 7 is reserved for local conventional channels operated by cities.

20. 20 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Zone 8 contains the 5 conventional Ops channels as well as the 5 ops “talkaround” channels. The nomenclature “D” after the channel name indicates it is a “direct” channel that bypasses the repeater. Range will be limited.

21. 21 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Zone 9 contains the National Mutual Aid repeated and direct channels assigned to Sumner County through the Kansas State Interoperability Mutual Aid Plan. UCALL40 is a calling channel only to hail other units. It is not to be used for conversations or operations. UTAC channels are used for two way conversations and operations. Sample Radio Traffic: “Conway 20 to Wellington 200 on UCALL40…meet me on UTAC41”.

22. 22 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Zone 10 contains the conventional channels used by Cowley County. It is important to note and be familiar with abbreviations used. WINF PD – Winfield Police CLSO – Cowley sheriff ACPD – Ark City Police CLEM – Cowley Emergency Management DEX PD – Dexter Police WFD – Winfield Fire DFD – Dexter Fire AFD – Atlanta Fire BFD – Burden Fire UFD – Udall Fire ACFD – Arkansas City fire WNMH – William Newton Memorial Hospital WEMS – Winfield EMS

23. 23 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Zone 11 contains the conventional channels used by Harper County. It is important to note and be familiar with abbreviations used. HPCO LE – Harper County Law Enforcement HPCO EMA – Harper County Emergency Mgmnt Remember the nomenclature: Any channel with a “D” designation is a direct channel that bypasses the repeater.

24. 24 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Zone 12 contains the conventional channels used by Kingman County. It is important to note and be familiar with abbreviations used. KMSO – Kingman Sheriff KM Aid – Kingman Mutual Aid NFD/NEMS – Norwich Fire and Norwich EMS

25. 25 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Zone 13 contains the conventional channels used by local municipalities. It is important to note and be familiar with abbreviations used. WPD – Wellington Police WFD – Wellington Fire BPPD/BP – Belle Plaine MPD/MLVN PD – Mulvane PD Oxford – Oxford CSPD – Conway Springs Police CSFD – Conway Springs fire

26. 26 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Button S Button A Button B Button C Button S = Scan Button A = Add/Delete Scanned Channels Button B = Zone Up Button C = Zone Down Channel Select On/Off/ Volume Lock (Orange) Buttons B & C move up and down through the different “Zones”.

27. 27 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Button S Button A Button B Button C Button S = Scan Button A = Add/Delete Scanned Channels Button B = Zone Up Button C = Zone Down Channel Select On/Off/ Volume Lock (Orange) Buttons B & C move up and down through the different “Zones”.

28. 28 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Button A Button BButton C Button D Button SCN Button SCN = Scan Button A = Add/Delete Scanned Channels Button B = Zone Up Button C = Zone Down Button D = No Function or Agency Specific Function Channel Up Channel Down

29. 29 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Button A Button B Button C Button S Button S = Scan Button A = Add/Delete Scanned Channels Button B = Zone Up Button C = Zone Down = No Function or Agency Specific Function Channel Up Channel Down

30. 30 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 One disadvantage of the system is that there is no “priority scan”. When in the scan mode, the radio will scan all scan-programmed channels. If radio traffic is conducted on your primary operating channel, it is likely it will be missed. It is recommended that if you desire to scan, to leave your mobile radio in normal operations, and use your handheld radio as a scanner. Remember to take your portable radio out of scan when you leave your vehicle.

31. 31 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 To scan radio channels and talk group, turn to the desired channel and press the “A” Button. A line will appear on the LED screen (shown below) indicating the channel is programmed to be scanned. If the line is absent, the channel will not be scanned. Once you added the channels you wish to scan, press the “S” or “SCN” button. Use the “A” button to remove programmed channels as well.

32. 32 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 In rare circumstances, like times of disaster, the trunking system may “busy out” if all five repeaters are active at the same time. When this occurs, you will receive a tone on your radio indicating you do not have access. Simply wait until the system is clear, or in the event of an emergency, switch to an operational channel.

33. 33 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Some agencies have purchased radios that are not trunking capable. These agencies will have to continue to use conventional channels for communication with dispatch and with other agencies.

34. 34 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 Review both your mobile and handheld radios to ensure you are thoroughly familiar with the Zones, Channels, and Talk Groups installed. Review your radios to ensure you are thoroughly familiar with radio functions to ensure you are proficient at it’s use. Remember to wait after pressing the PTT (Push To Talk) button for the “beep” that indicates you have accessed the trunking system and are ready to broadcast.

35. 35 SCEC – Overview of LTR Trunking, December 2012 If you have any questions regarding the radio system or radio operations, please do not hesitate to contact SCEC at 620 326 2884.