Welcome to the Radio re-certification for 2024
Motivation
Our radios are our lifeline to the "outside" world while performing our duties. Whether operating in an IDLH or in the back room of a residence at 0300hrs with your partner, your portable radio provides you access to additional resources and/or help should a situation become untenable or dangerous. Knowledge of the features and capabilities of your portable radio is key to ensuring your safety.
The objective of this refresher training is to provide you with a review of key procedures, safety precautions and cleaning procedures that need to be considered when operating with the Motorola APX 8000 XE radios. After a review of the material, personnel are expected to take and pass an exam to an accuracy of at least 80%. Any information found herein is subject to testing on the exam.
Batteries
All batteries in use in the field must have a gray label with black text on the bottom, which indicates they are intrinsically safe. Batteries must be charged at 30%. Personnel should review the presentation below on the use and charging of batteries for our portable radios. Green dot batteries are no longer used in field radios; they are not rated to be used with the APX 8000 XE portables. Return any green dot batteries found in the stations to TechOPS.
Secure Encrypted Communications
A secure encrypted talk group or radio channel is one that can't be monitored by the media or public by way of a scanner; personnel should still be aware of their surroundings before communicating sensitive information. Personnel should review the presentation below on secure and encrypted communications.
Digital Vehicle Repeater System
When personnel experience in-structure radio coverage issues on the fireground or during other multi-unit responses, a digital vehicle repeater system (DVRS) is available to assist. Personnel should review the following presentation on the DVRS.
Dealing with Difficulties
Site Trunking
The MCFRS 800 MHz radio system uses 22 tower sites that are all connected (networked) together, giving county-wide radio coverage to all users that are on the radio system. In the event these 22 sites become disconnected from ECC, the radio system will enter "Site Trunking” mode, which will appear on the display of the radio. The impact of Site Trunking on field personnel is minimal to none, but personnel should be aware that there are impacts on ECC operations that may temporarily hamper their efficiency.
Failsoft
In the event, that there are major computer problems with the radio system, but the whole system doesn’t go down, it will go into "Failsoft" mode. You’ll know we’re in Failsoft mode if you see the word Failsoft on the radio screen. While in Failsoft mode, there are only a handful of channels, so people can easily "talk over" one another; unless one has something vitally important to say, they should keep quiet. All calls are still dispatched on 7A2-DISP and operate on 7A1-OPS1, 7A4-INC10, etc. In short, treat Failsoft like condition red. Personnel may review a fleetmap showing Failsoft channels here.
If 800MHz Coverage is Completely Lost
In the event you are operating on 7A1-OPS or 7A2-DISP and your 800 MHz communications fail, you should switch to 7V1-VHF OPS R or 7V2-VHF DISP R and make that dispatcher aware you're operating on VHF. Remember that 7 Oscar will still be working.
Radio Relays (and Metro)
While great efforts have recently been made to boost radio coverage in the Metro system, there are still issues with adequate coverage in many areas. Radio relays may help personnel bridge the gap when the conventional radio system comes up short. Personnel should read FCGO 12-06 found here, along with the accompanying presentation, to refresh on building radio relays.
Strap vs. Coat
Personnel should review the following presentation which discusses the pros and cons of wearing the portable radio in the velcro pocket of the turnout coat versus on a strap placed under the turnout coat. In either case, protection of the radio, accessibility, and safety are critical points to consider.