USAR Communications Cache CATF-1 by Captain Kevin R. Nida, LAFD Hand-Held radio operation, system expectations, repeaters, DC remotes and satellite telephones.

USAR Communications CacheCATF-1

by Captain Kevin R. Nida, LAFD

Hand-Held radio operation, system expectations, repeaters, DC remotes

and satellite telephones

Bendix/King EPV4142M14 channels, 4 watts, 403-457 Mhz.

EPV 4142 Top Controls

• On/Off Volume Control

• Turn clockwise past the detent to turn the radio on and continue to turn clockwise to increase volume, counterclockwise decreases volume

EPV 4142 Top Controls

• CG & Squelch Control

• Turn counterclockwise to the detent to activate CG. CG allows only our team to be heard on the radio. Full CCW is the normal mode of activation

EPV 4142 Top Controls

• Antenna

• The antenna must be snugly hand tightened.

• Use no tools to tighten

EPV 4142 Top Controls

• Channel Selector, 14 channels total

• Rotate clockwise to increase channel number, turn counterclockwise to decrease channel number

EPV 4142 Top Controls

• “Channel Busy” & “Low Battery” indicator

• Intermittently Flashes yellow when the channel is in use and flashes steady when battery is low

EPV 4142 Top Controls

• Scan Priority Select Switch

• Not used for your position or application

• Normally remains in “forward position”

EPV 4142 Top Controls

• Scan Select Switch

• Not used for your position or application

• Normally remains in “forward position”

EPV 4142 Top Controls

• T/A Repeat and Direct Switch

• Forward position selects “repeat” function

• Backward position select T/A (Simplex/Direct)

EPV 4142 Top Controls

• Transmit Indicator

• Glows red when radio transmits

• Flashes red when battery is low

EPV 4142 Side Connector &PTT Bar

• Side/Accessory Connector

• Should normally have the speaker mic or dust cover attached to keep dust and dirt out

EPV 4142 Side Connector &PTT Bar

• Push-to-Talk (PTT) Bar

• Push to talk

• Release to listen

Battery Removal

• Hold the radio in your right hand and with your right thumb, pull the battery retaining clip toward the top of the radio

Battery Removal

• With your left hand, rotate the battery counter clockwise 1/8 turn

Battery Removal

• Pull the battery away from the radio

EPV 4142 “AA” Battery “Clamshell”

• Holds nine “AA” alkaline batteries

• Only use alkaline batteries

• Do not mix new and old batteries, or brands or batteries

EPV 4142 “AA” Battery “Clamshell”

• Hold the orange case in one hand

• With the thumb of the same hand, press the center downward to expose the batteries

EPV 4142 “AA” Battery “Clamshell”

• Push the center downward and catch the battery tray with the other hand

EPV 4142 “AA” Battery “Clamshell”

• Pull the battery “ripcord” to remove the batteries

• Make sure to put the “ripcord” down in the base of the tray before reinstalling the batteries

Daily Radio Assessmentcheck the following:

• Antenna

• Knobs

• Display

• Buttons

• Battery Latch

• Battery

• Accessories

Check the Antenna for:

• Cracks

• Breaks

• Severe Bends

• Loose or Broken Base

• Loose or Broken Connector

• Proper Type & Band

• Other Damage

Check Knobs Buttons & Switches for:

• If Loose or Missing

• Proper Position or Setting

• Proper Type

• Cracks or Unusual Wear

Check the Display & Indicators for:

• Cracked Display Window

• Apparent Moisture Under Glass

• Appropriate Icon for Appropriate Function

• Transmit & Receive Icons/Lights

• No Low Battery Indicator

• Voice Check

Check the Battery & Battery Latch for:

• Tightness on the Radio• Battery Contacts Clean & No Debris on them• No Cracks in the Battery Case• No Low Battery Indicator• Use Only Approved Manufacturer

Replacement Batteries

Check the Accessories for:

• Speaker Microphones: Condition of the Cord, Microphone PTT button, Switches & Antenna if equipped with one

• Overall Unusual Wear, Unsafe Condition

Batteries & Maintenance

• Nickel Cadmium:

• Cycle Often, Will Loose Capacity if Not Used Often and to 80% of it’s Capacity

• Discharge at least to20% of it’s capacity before recharging

• Keep a spare battery with you or on the rig

• Loses about 1% per day if left alone, dead in 90-110 days

Nickel Cadmium, Cont.

• Approximate 18-24 Month Life Span• Replace After 18 months• Slow to discharge, but die quickly at the end

and can die sometimes without warning• Keep an Alkaline Pack as a Back-Up• Keep a Monthly Maintenance Log by Battery• Discard if Less Than 80% of Total Capacity

Alkaline & “AA” Packs

• Used by USFS, CFD, FEMA & USAR

• Reliable in-Field Replacement

• Less Initial Cost than a Ni-Cad

• Great for Disaster Relief Operations

• No Ongoing Maintenance

• No Outside Electrical Source or Additional Personnel Required to Charge

Radio Coverage Expectations

• Radio Signals are High Frequency Light

• They can be Interrupted by Natural and Man-made Objects

• Know the Path Between You and Your Objective, Keep Barriers to a Minimum

• Increasing Elevation and Eliminating Barriers are the Best Tools in Correcting Range Problems

Radio Position Is Important

• Radio waves travel vertically

• Keep the radio upright to get the best reception

Radio Position Is Important

• Do not hold the radio horizontally

• The radio coverage is severely diminished when the radio is held horizontally

UHF & Elevation• 420 Mhz.

• ELEV. 4 WATTS ERP 10 WATTS ERP 40 WATTS ERP

• 3' 1.0 MI. 1.2 MI. 1.5 MI.

• 10' 1.5 MI. 1.8 MI. 2.3 MI.

• 20' 2.0 MI. 2.3 MI. 2.9 MI.

• 40' 2.5 MI. 2.8 MI. 3.8 MI.

• 50' 2.8 MI. 3.2 MI. 4.2 MI.

• 100' 3.5 MI. 4.2 MI. 5.3 MI.

• 150' 4.1 MI. 4.8 MI. 6.2 MI.

• 200' 4.5 MI. 5.3 MI. 6.8 MI.

• 500' 6.3 MI. 7.4 MI. 9.5 MI.

• 1000' 8.1 MI. 9.5 MI. 12.2 MI.

• 2000' 10.3 MI. 12.2 MI. 14.9 MI.

• 5000' 13.9 MI. 15.8 MI. 19.3 MI.

Attenuation Factors

• Wearing the radio on your belt. It is closer to the ground and your body absorbs the RF signal

• Holding the radio horizontally. Radio waves on most public safety radio systems travel vertically, horizontally polarizing the radio can reduce your signal by seven times.

In-Building Considerations• Stay close to windows if possible

• Some windows have coverings with metal properties that can attenuate your signal so the doorway may be better.

• Use the radio in the direct mode to improve comm. to the command post if it is close by.

• Consider withdrawal if communications is lost.

• Consider portable “yagi” antenna w/ HT

Out of Building Considerations

• Keep away from large obstructions if possible

• Consider direct mode or relays if necessary

• Use portable repeaters if necessary to improve communications

Portable Repeater

• Extends range of USAR operations up to 30 miles or more

• Fully field programmable without a computer

• In-band & cross-band

Portable Repeater

• DTMF remote control

• DC remote for extended wired operation

• Solar, Battery & Ac operation

Portable RepeaterAntenna System

• 20’ minimum height to base of VHF TX/RX antenna

• Min. 5’ spacing from VHF and UHF RX dipole antenna

• Min. 15’ spacing between UHF RX & TX antennas

Mobile Radio• DC operation• Magnetic mount

antenna• Compatible with our

repeaters and hand-held radios

• Will work as a back-up radio for our repeaters

• Field Programmable w/o a computer

Trans-mobile Satellite Telephone

• Self contained battery, AC or DC operation

• Works in a moving vehicle with auto-tracking dome antenna

• Telephone & talk-group capable

Transportable Satellite Telephone

• Self contained battery, AC or DC operation

• For fixed station/transportable use

• Cannot work in a moving vehicle

Questions & Answers

• The only dumb question is the one that is not asked!

• E-Mail: [email protected]