46
FT-8800R Operating Manual
The ARTS feature uses DCS signaling to inform both parties when you and another ARTS-
equipped station are within communications range. This may be particularly useful during
Search-and Rescue situations, where is important to stay in contact with other members of
your group.
Both stations must set up their DCS codes to the same code number, then activate their
ARTS feature using the command appropriate for their radio. Alert ringers may be activated,
if desired.
Whenever you push the
PTT
switch, or every 25 seconds after ARTS is activated, your radio
will transmit a signal which includes a (subaudible) DCS signal for about one second. If the
other radio is in range, the beeper will sound (if enabled) and the display will show “
IN.RNG
”
as opposed to the out of range display “
OUT.RNG
” in which ARTS operation begins.
Whether you talk or not, the polling every 25 seconds will continue until you de-activate
ARTS. Every 10 minutes, moreover, you can have your radio transmit your callsign via CW,
so as to comply with identification requirements. When ARTS is de-activated, DCS will also
be deactivated (if you were not using it previously in non-ARTS operation).
If you move out of range for more than one minute (four pollings), your radio will sense that
no signal has been received, three beeps will sound, and the display will revert to “
OUT.RNG
.”
If you move back into range, your radio will again beep, and the display will change back to
the “
IN.RNG
” indication.
During ARTS operation, it is not possible to change the operating frequency or other set-
tings on the “
Main
” band; you must terminate ARTS in order to resume normal operation.
This is a safety feature designed to prevent accidental loss of contact due to channel change,
etc. Here is how to activate ARTS:
Basic ARTS Setup and Operation
1. Set your radio and the other radio(s) to the same DCS code number, per the discussion
on page 30.
2. Press the [
SET
] key momentarily to enter the Set mode.
3. Rotate the “
Main
” band
DIAL
knob to select Menu #3 (
ARTS
).
4. Press the “
Main
” band
DIAL
knob momentarily, then rotate the “
Main
” band
DIAL
knob
to select the desired ARTS beep option. The available options are:
IN RNG
:
The beeps are issued only when the radio first confirms that you are within
range, but does not re-confirm with beeps thereafter.
ALWAYS
: Every time a polling transmission is received from the other station, the alert
beeps will be heard.
5. Press the “
Main
” band
DIAL
knob momentarily. You will observe the “
OUT.RNG
” dis-
play on the LCD. ARTS operation has now commenced.
6. Every 25 seconds, your radio will transmit a “polling” call to the other station. When that
ARTS
TM
: A
UTO
R
ANGE
T
RANSPONDER
S
YSTEM
