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11

Failsoft

If the trunking system loses its control channel (channel that transmits 
data for system, and not voice) or has certain other failures, it is no longer 
able to operate in the trunking mode (normal operations). So instead of 
going into a condition that stops all communication, the system enters 
Failsoft.

In this state all transmitters (channels) turn on and operate in a 
‘conventional’ repeater mode. The subscriber radios are able to recognize 
this state and switch to a predetermined frequency (one of the trunk 
system frequencies, but not the control channel frequency) depending on 
their selected talkgroup. 

For example, if a site is in Failsoft, all users associated with the tower 
(i.e. Fire, Police, EHS etc) would end up on a single channel, rather than 
di

 erent agencies being assigned di

 erent channels. Everyone within range 

of the tower in failsoft will share this single channel. The radio will attempt 
to avoid failsoft mode by 

fi

 rst seeking other sites that are working properly.  

In most systems several talkgroups will share a frequency. If a particular 
failsoft frequency has also failed, the talkgroups assigned to that frequency 
will also be o

  the air during failsoft. 

Etiquette 

Radio Communication Techniques

The e

  cient use of radio depends greatly on the method of speaking and 

articulation of the operator. It is important to speak all words plainly and 
clearly in order to prevent the running-together of consecutive words. 
Avoid any tendency to shout, accent syllables, or speak too rapidly. The 
following techniques should be kept in mind when using a radio:

Speed: 

Keep the rate of speech constant, neither too fast nor too slow. 

Remember that the operator receiving your message may have to write it 
down. 

Rhythm:

 Preserve the rhythm of ordinary conversation. Avoid the 

introduction of unnecessary sounds such as ‘er’ an ‘um’ between words. 

To have words repeated for message con

fi

 rmation or clarity use the 

command “words twice” or, upon request, ask the speaker to repeat the 
message using the phonetic alphabet.

Summary of Contents for TMR 2

Page 1: ...i TMR 2 Trunked Mobile Radio User Guide Version 2 August 2014 Public Safety and Field Communications ...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...on a TMR 9 TMR Agencies 10 Potential Problems with Systems Equipment 10 Failsoft 11 Etiquette 11 Procedural Words Prowords or Phrases and Their Meanings 12 Radio Communications Procedures 14 Phonetic Alphabet 14 Difficult Words 15 Numerals 15 Numbers 16 Call Signs 16 Calling 17 Station Call 17 Batteries 18 Common Types of Radio Batteries 18 IMPRES 18 Nickel Cadmium NiCd 19 Nickel Metal Hydride NiM...

Page 4: ...2 ...

Page 5: ...ty during radio transmissions in a digital environment The digital conversion of a user s voice reduces external background noise and the digital technology platform is ideal for reducing environmental noise levels during transmission such as emergency scenes or in windy conditions When you turn on your radio it begins to search for the nearest TMRS site When the radio connects to a site the radio...

Page 6: ...4 Mobile Coverage Prediction Map Portable Prediction Coverage Map ...

Page 7: ...h tower site plus a control channel that does not carry voice In rural areas there are mostly blue dots meaning that those sites have three voice paths On a three voice path site no more than three simultaneous conversations can occur at once In more urban areas there are more voice paths because there is a higher demand ...

Page 8: ...irport 42 Queensland 72 North Mountain 13 Wellington 43 Tantallon 73 Cheticamp 14 Ellershouse 44 Whites Lake 74 SW Margaree 15 Martock 45 Geizers Hill 75 Kiltarlity 16 Blomidon 46 Maritime Center 76 Inverness 17 New Minas 47 Sackville 77 Mabou 18 Morristown 48 Preston 78 Whycocomagh 19 Central Clarence 49 Musquodoboit 79 Kingsville 20 Dalhousie 50 Tangier 80 Aulds Cove 21 Eaton Lake 51 Marinette 8...

Page 9: ...sted to join Shared Simplex Channels All public safety agencies that use TMR have three shared simplex channels Simplex is only reliable for roughly 1 to 2 km Permission is not required when using the simplex channels but a person must first voice call on the desired channel to verify if anyone in the area is using that channel Simplex All 1 Simplex All 2 and Simplex All 3 SX All 1 International C...

Page 10: ...answers you are free to use the channel If you do receive a reply stating that the channel is in use switch to another simplex channel Simplex is direct radio to radio communication These channels provide another interoperable tool for communications Radio System Tones The TMRS radios generate various tones to indicate different things to the user These tones are important because you will need to ...

Page 11: ...ceive on a TMR Select the desired talk group on the radio Listen for ongoing conversations if the channel becomes clear proceed with your call Lift the mic press and hold the PTT button to transmit and wait for the Talk Permit tone If you hear three quick tones go ahead tones proceed with your message Remember keep the microphone 1 2 from your mouth If you hear a busy tone all trunked channels are...

Page 12: ...able cut When in Site Trunking each site functions for all users within its own footprint but allows no access to dispatch or to units outside the affected footprint s The TMR 2 system is a very stable communications platform There are only a few failure scenarios that can occur within the TMRS One or more sites can independently go Site Trunking due to backhaul failure Backhaul is the wire or fibr...

Page 13: ... to avoid failsoft mode by first seeking other sites that are working properly In most systems several talkgroups will share a frequency If a particular failsoft frequency has also failed the talkgroups assigned to that frequency will also be off the air during failsoft Etiquette Radio Communication Techniques The efficient use of radio depends greatly on the method of speaking and articulation of th...

Page 14: ...ade in this transmission message indicated The correct version is DISREGARD Consider this transmission as not sent GO AHEAD Proceed with your message HOW DO YOU READ What is the readability of my transmission I SAY AGAIN Self explanatory use instead of I REPEAT MAYDAY The spoken word for distress communications MAYDAY RELAY The spoken word for the distress relay signal MONITOR Listen on frequency ...

Page 15: ...tress situation has ended SEELONCE MAYDAY Silence Fini An international expression to advise that a distress situation is in progress The command comes from the station in control of the distress traffic THAT IS CORRECT Self explanatory VERIFY Check coding check text with originator and send correct version WILCO Your instructions received understood and will be complied with WORDS TWICE a As a re...

Page 16: ... voice The receiving party will get any required repetitions then acknowledge the information with ROGER OVER or ROGER OUT Phonetic Alphabet Letter Word Pronunciation Letter Word Pronunciation A ALPHA al fah N NOVEMBER no vem ber B BRAVO brah vo O OSCAR oss car C CHARLIE char lee P PAPA pah pah D DELTA dell tah Q QUEBEC kay beck E ECHO eck oh R ROMEO row me oh F FOXTROT foks trot S SIERRA see air ...

Page 17: ...dia Alpha Trivia Numerals In order to distinguish numerals from similarly pronounced words the proword FIGURES may be used preceding numbers When transmitted by radio the following rules for their pronunciation will be observed if the communication is not clear Numeral Spoken As 0 ZE RO 1 WUN 2 TWO 3 THREE 4 FOW ER 5 FIFE 6 SIX 7 SEV EN 8 AIT 9 NIN ER Example I SAY FIGURES Fife Sev en Wun FIGURES ...

Page 18: ...t Roman numerals shall be spoken as the corresponding Arabic letters preceeded by the prowords ROMAN NUMERAL Example XX in Roman numerals would be spoken as ROMAN NUMERALS X ray X ray Monetary denominations when transmitted with groups of digits should be sent in the sequence in which they are written Example 17 25 is spoken as dollars one sev en de see mal two fife 75 becomes sev en fife cents Ca...

Page 19: ...ons already in progress If such interference seems likely one must wait for the first break in transmission where he may intercede A station having distress urgency or safety communication to transmit is entitled to interrupt at any time when a transmission of lower priority is in progress Station Call When a station wishes to establish communication with another station it must transmit the follo...

Page 20: ...oning end of life display and other advanced features IMPRES chargers have technology that avoids overcharging IMPRES batteries may be left in IMPRES chargers for extended periods IMPRES chargers are compatible with non IMPRES batteries however the IMPRES features are only realized when using IMPRES batteries and chargers together It is NOT recommended that an IMPRES battery be charged in a non IM...

Page 21: ...d over 1000 cycles are possible Allows recharging at low temperatures Long shelf life in any state of charge Good low temperature performance Economically priced NiCd Limitations Develops memory effect Relatively high self discharge rate during storage Nickel Metal Hydride NiMH The modern NiMH battery offers up to 40 higher energy density as compared to the NiCd Both NiCd and NiMH batteries have hig...

Page 22: ...ery is typically twice that of the standard NiCd There is no memory effect and no scheduled cycling is required to prolong the battery s life In addition the self discharge rate is less than half compared to NiCd and NiMH Li ion Advantages High energy density Relatively low self discharge rate Low maintenance no periodic discharge necessary no memory effect Li ion Limitations Subject to aging even i...

Page 23: ...uipment that can be provided to any emergency services personnel at exercises and emergency events For example staff has responded with equipment to events such as forest fires ground search and rescue incidents water rescues major public gatherings and outages of fixed communications networks The support team has extensive technical and operational communications training and brings expertise in c...

Page 24: ...22 Notes ...

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Page 28: ...TMR 2 Trunked Mobile Radio User Guide Version 2 August 2014 Public Safety and Field Communications ...

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