NIFC Radio Page 2006

Motorola XTS3000: R07.00.02 View XTS3000 software version by: Turn radio on. Press 2nd grey button (It has 2 dots) on left side 5 times. Radio enters service mode. Software is first number displayed. Turn radio off and then on again to reset after checking software version. DO NOT USE your radio until it is reset.

Contact your radio technician to update your radio's software.

Blank Communication System Diagrams

The Documents page has blank system diagrams to assist in the organization of an incident communication system.

Aviation Radio Training

The Technical Training page has training materials for the Northern Airborne Technology NPX138N and Technisonic TDFM-136 airborne radios.

All Aviation Radios to be P25 Digital by January 1, 2010

An interagency group consisting of operations, technicians, contracting, and management represenatives has decided that all interagency aviation radios will be P25 digital compliant by January 1, 2010. See the implementation letter. Contact Frank Smith for more information.

ISO Staff Participation on Type 1 and 2 Incident Management Teams as a Rostered Member

Grant Dekker, USFS Director, ISO, IRM writes:

With deadlines approaching and sometimes passed, we want to make sure we are dealing consistently with the questions about whether or not [Forest Service] ISO staff may be rostered members of Type 1 and 2 incident management teams. ISO staff may apply to become standing members of Type 1 and 2 teams for both IT and non-IT positions. ISO employees interested in doing this should first coordinate with supervisors to get their concurrence and to ensure their supervisors are aware of their interest. Contingency plans are being developed to backfill behind employees while they are on incident assignments. Contact Grant Dekker at 703-605-4722.

Racal 25 Power Consumption

NIICD Engineering and Thales Communications have completed testing of Racal 25 portable radios for high AA battery power consumption resulting in low battery life. They have determined that an increase of 50% in battery life can be achieved just by changing the radio's antenna. See the Racal 25 Power Consumption report on NIICD's Documents page, Studies section, for more information or contact Steve German.

NIICD Frequency Schemes Have Changed

All NIICD VHF-FM and UHF radio frequency channeling schemes have changed. Some new frequencies have been added and/or existing frequencies reorganized within each radio. These changes are in addition to narrowbanding all VHF-FM frequencies. VHF-AM radios are not affected. New frequency sheets are included in appropriate kits. Contact the CDO for more information.

Communications Training

COMC, COML, COMT, and multimode (P25) handheld radio training courses are available. Visit the Technical Training page for more information.

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Fire Approved Multimode (P25) Digital Radios

Five multimode radios have been approved by the national fire directors at NIFC, via NIICD, for wildland fire use. They are the Thales Racal 25, EFJohnson 5100, Motorola XTS5000, Datron Guardian, and Relm BK DPH.

All five portable radios are currently on the DOI radio contract (you may need to refresh link). See our P25 Frequently Asked Questions for more multimode information. Contact Steve German for more information.

Multimode (P25) Radio Purchasing

NIICD will purchase only multimode digital radios in the future. Analog radios will be replaced during normal replacement cycles. Contact Steve Jenkins for more information.

Family Radio Service Radios

Family Radio Service (FRS) communications equipment cannot be used by anyone associated with federal wildland fire, incidents, or in instances that safeguard human life or property. This applies to agency, military, and contractor personnel. NTIA Manual, section 7.5.8, states: "federal entities may not purchase and operate FRS radios for planned communications operations that safeguard human life or property". Additionally, the Departments of Agriculture and Interior have policies limiting the use of FRS radios. Contact Steve Jenkins for more information.

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Last updated on : 10/05/2012 12:28:11

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