Chapter 12 Post Radio/Cross Band Repeater

Question 1

What is the power output wattage on the Post Radio?

Answer 1

2.2
Power output is 45 watts.The battery provides sufficient wattage for 4 hours of operation when using the 20/20/60 formula (20% transmit, 20% receive, 60% standby) and for 7 hours when using the 10/10/80 formula (10% transmit, 10% receive, 80% standby). Transmission wattage decreases as the battery drains.

Question 2

When should the Post Radio be charged?

Answer 2

2.3
The Post Radio shall be fully charged weekly (whether used or not) and after each use for at least 8 hours. Prolonged use may require up to 20 hours to fully charge.

Question 3

When can the Post Radio be used on the Tactical Channel at a Incident?

Answer 3

Note: In case of emergency, the Incident Commander may switch the Post Radio to the tactical channel to broadcast their message. This should be done only for emergency transmissions. The Post Radio transmits at 45 watts. This higher power could cause interference over a wide area to units at another incident on the same tactical channel.

Question 4

How much does the Post Radio weigh?

Answer 4

2.8

The weight is 22 pounds.

Question 5

Due to the radio frequency radiation hazard, members shall not be within how many feet from a transmitting Post Radio?

Answer 5

2.9
Due to the radio frequency radiation hazard, members shall not be within 2 feet from a transmitting Post Radio. In addition, due to its high transmission wattage, the Post Radio may cause interference with electrical equipment.

Question 6

Can a vehicle Cross Band repeater be used solely as a VHF Radio?

Answer 6

3.1 The vehicle cross band repeater consists of two main components. The first is the cross band repeater. The second component is two linked radios (one high-wattage UHF and one low-wattage VHF). A VHF low-wattage signal is sent to the repeater on one frequency; it crosses bands and is transmitted out on a UHF high-wattage frequency. A UHF cross band repeater can be used as a UHF radio, and has the ability to transmit UHF to VHF and VHF to UHF but can never be used solely as a VHF radio.
.

Question 7

How many Watts UHF and How many watts VHF will the transmissions from the vehicle sent at?

Answer 7

Transmissions from the vehicle are sent out at 40 watts UHF and at 5 watts VHF

Question 8

Bullets on activating the Vehicle Cross Band Repeater:

Answer 8

3.2 Activation of the Repeater
 Notify the Dispatcher of the intent to activate the repeater.
 Depress the Power button located at upper left side of repeater radio.
 Depress the Yellow VRS button located to the right of the power button.
 Check digital readout that will display “Self Chk”.
 The repeater shall normally be set to the primary command channel, Channel 2.
Note: Afterwards, digital readout will alternate between “VRS Both” and the Channel to which repeater is set (i.e., “Channel 2”)
Digital readout will display the channel to which repeater is set. Above the digital readout will be a small triangle indicating that repeater is on.

Question 9

Bullets on CROSS BAND REPEATER VHF HANDIE-TALKIE

Answer 9

4
 A yellow knob and a longer antenna identify the cross band repeater VHF handie-talkie.
 It is only programmed from channels 1-8.
 Radio transmits at 5 watts.
 The orange emergency button is disabled on the VHF H.T.
 Radio is charged in vehicle charger.

Question 10

Whenever the Battalion Vehicle Cross Band repeater is activated which battalion shall take the VHF HT to the Incident Command Post?

Answer 10

4.1 Whenever the Battalion Vehicle Cross Band repeater is activated, only the Battalion Chief whose vehicle repeater was activated shall take the VHF Handie-Talkie to the Incident Command Post.

Question 11

The VHF Handie-Talkie must be set on the same Channel as the vehicle repeater. Initially, this will be which channel?

Answer 11

4.2 The VHF Handie-Talkie must be set on the same Channel as the vehicle repeater. Initially, this will be channel 2, the command channel.

Question 12

Transmissions from the Lobby will be given through the VHF HT. Any transmissions that go through the vehicle repeater will reach Officers or Chiefs operating on the command channel of what radio?

Answer 12

4.3
Transmissions from the Lobby will be given through the VHF HT. Any transmissions that go through the vehicle repeater will reach Officers or Chiefs operating on the command channel of the Post Radio.

Question 13

When can the ICP use the VHF HT to reach units in the fire area on the tactical channel?

Answer 13

4.5 If the Incident Command Post needs to reach a unit in the fire area in an emergency, they can still do so by using the VHF HT and going through the vehicle repeater on the tactical channel. This should only be done for emergency transmissions.

Question 14

Transmission from the Vehicle repeater transmit at what wattage?

Answer 14

4.5 Transmissions from the vehicle repeater transmit at 40 watts. This high power could cause interference over a wide area to units operating at another incident on the same tactical channel.

Question 15

When the VHF HT is switched to another channel to reach other units or sectors how are the channels switched on the Vehicle repeater?

Answer 15

4.6.1 The Incident Commander can switch channels on the VHF HT in order to transmit on different channels, if necessary. The Battalion vehicle repeater will recognize the signal from the VHF HT and then transmit on UHF on the same channel. For example, if the Incident Command Post needs to reach a unit operating on the secondary tactical channel (channel 3), they can switch the VHF HT to channel 3 and give a transmission. The vehicle repeater will then send the signal out on UHF channel 3 to the upper floors where members operating on the secondary tactical will receive it. The vehicle repeater will remain on the new channel until it is steered to another channel.

Question 16

What is the primary use of the Post Radio?

Answer 16

5.1 One of the primary uses of the Post Radio will be during High-Rise Operations. The Post Radio can be used in conjunction with a Battalion vehicle repeater. The key aspect of the Post Radio use is the establishment of a Command Channel at 45 watts. Additionally, the IC may utilize the Post Radio anytime its use would enhance communications at an incident.

Question 17

How many operations utilizing a vehicle repeater shall be allowed citywide?

Answer 17

6 Note: Only one operation utilizing a vehicle repeater shall be allowed citywide. The activation of a second repeater could deactivate the first repeater. If a second operation requires activation of the vehicle repeater, the dispatcher will inform the Incident Commander of the second operation that there is already a vehicle repeater in
use. The second operation shall use “Post radio to Post radio” to effect communications. This second operation would have to operate on a different command channel so as not to interfere with the initial repeater operation. Additional options are Post Radio to vehicle UHF Mobile Repeater Radio without activating the repeater, or Post Radio to UHF Mobile Radio in DC/BC vehicles equipped
without cross band repeater system.

Question 18

The first arriving Battalion to a High-Rise incident that necessitates vehicle repeater activation shall notify who?

Answer 18

6.1.1 The first arriving Battalion to a High-Rise incident that necessitates vehicle repeater activation shall notify the dispatcher that they are activating the vehicle cross band repeater.

Question 19

For optimal triangulation of the signal, the Battalion vehicle should be parked where at the incident?

Answer 19

6.1.1 For optimal triangulation of the signal, the Battalion vehicle should be parked across the street from the operation.

Question 20

What does a short double tone emited from the VHF HT mean after transmitting from it?

Answer 20

6.1.4 Upon leaving the battalion vehicle, a check to ensure the link between the vehicle repeater and the Post radio will be made. The Battalion shall give a short test transmission through the VHF vehicle repeater handie-talkie. A quick “test-test” will suffice. When the test transmission is received through the Post radio, a return test will be given from the Post radio. When the transmission from the VHF handie-talkie is complete, the VHF handie-talkie will emit a short double tone. This indicates that the transmission is going through the repeater.

Question 21

All Battalions shall bring their Post radio into the lobby. Who should bring in the VHF repeater HT into the lobby?

Answer 21

6.1.5 The Battalion that activates their vehicle repeater is the only battalion to bring the VHF vehicle repeater handie-talkie into the lobby.

Question 22

Who provides the communication link between the lobby and the fire area pending the arrival of the fire sector/branch?

Answer 22

6. 2.1 The second arriving engine officer provides the communications link between the lobby and the fire area pending the establishment of the Fire Sector/Branch on a floor below the fire.
7. 2.2 The first arriving Battalion chief shall give the Post radio to the second engine officer.

Question 23

What location does the 2nd arriving Engine Officer take the Post Radio to and who does he give his location to?

Answer 23

6. 2.3 The second engine officer will then take the Post radio and report with his company to their normal location, in the vicinity of the standpipe outlet from which the first handline is being stretched.
7. 2.4 Upon arrival on the floor below the fire, the second engine officer shall establish contact with the Incident Command Post (ICP) on the command channel via the Post radio. The officer will verify that the Post radio is in place and give his location to the IC.

Question 24

The second engine officer will then use their handie-talkie radio on the tactical channel to announce to units in the fire area that a communications link with the ICP has been established. Communications will be relayed through the second engine officer in addition to his normal duties until relieved by who?

Answer 24

6.2.5 The second engine officer will then use their handie-talkie radio on the tactical channel to announce to units in the fire area that a communications link with the ICP has been established. Communications will be relayed through the second engine officer. In addition to his normal duties, the second engine officer must maintain the communications link with the lobby until the Fire Sector Supervisor arrives on the floor below the fire.

Question 25

2nd arriving Battalion Chiefs responsibilities upon arriving at the incident?

Answer 25

6. 3.1 The second arriving Battalion Chief will report to the lobby with the Post radio set on the primary command channel (Channel 2).
7. 3.2 The second arriving Battalion Chief shall confer with the Incident Commander in the lobby, receive an update on operations, ascertain the location of the second engine officer, leave the Post radio at the ICP and proceed to the location of the second engine officer.
8. 3.3 Upon arrival at the second engine officer’s location, the second Battalion Chief shall get a briefing on operations from the engine officer, then take the Post radio from the engine officer and establish the Fire Sector/Branch in a favorable location.

Question 26

The second Battalion Chief will then make an announcement over the primary tactical channel of the handie-talkie radio should include what information?

Answer 26

6.3.4 The second Battalion Chief will then make an announcement over the primary tactical channel of the handie-talkie radio that the Fire Sector/Branch is established and give the location.

Question 27

What Channel shall the fire sector supervisor monitor?

What channel should his aide monitor?

Answer 27

6. 3.6 Units operating in the fire area shall then direct their communications to the Fire Secto. The Fire Sector Supervisor will monitor units operating in the fire area on the primary tactical channel via the handie-talkie (Channel 1).
7. 3.7 The Battalion firefighter monitors the command channel of the Post radio (Channel 2).

Question 28

If the first arriving Battalion is delayed into the box and the second engine has already
ascended to the upper floors, who should bring the post radio to the 2nd arriving Engine Officer?

Answer 28

6.3.7 NOTES:
If the first arriving Battalion is delayed into the box and the second engine has already
ascended to the upper floors, then the following shall take place: The Battalion shall give the Post radio to the Fire Department member operating the firemen’s service elevator. Upon arrival 2 floors below the fire floor, the elevator operator will contact the second engine officer. The second arriving engine officer shall then ensure that the Post radio is obtained from the member operating the elevators.

Question 29

How can a second vehicle repeater radio be used when a vehicle repeater is already activated at another operation?

Answer 29

7. The UHF side of the vehicle repeater radio may be used without activation of the repeater. This can be used to assist High-Rise or other communications by allowing Chief Officers the use of secondary command channels. Only one vehicle cross band repeater activation shall be allowed citywide. The activation of a second repeater could deactivate the first repeater. However, more than one UHF
   vehicle repeater radio can be activated. This can be done without causing interference to simultaneous operations. Each operation using a UHF vehicle repeater radio must have radios set to different command channels.

Question 30

How is the UHF side of the vehicle repeater system utilized without activating the repeater at a Hi-Rise operation?

Answer 30

7.1 D
Turn on the vehicle repeater radio. Do not depress the yellow VRS button. The cross band repeater will not be engaged. The VHF vehicle repeater handie-talkie is not used at this operation. It stays in the charger in the Battalion vehicle for the duration of the operation. The Chief would then switch his Battalion vehicle repeater radio to the selected secondary command channel.
e) The Chief will switch his Post radio to the secondary command channel and proceed to the lobby with the Post radio.
f) The Battalion firefighter remains in the Battalion vehicle. The Battalion firefighter can speak to the Chief on the command channel by using the white mic that is part of the vehicle repeater radio. This white mic is found on the side of the console.
g) The first arriving Battalion Chief shall give the Post radio to the second arriving Engine following the Post radio deployment procedure.
h) When in place, the second arriving Engine officer can communicate to the Battalion vehicle on the secondary command channel. A link has now been established on a command channel between the upper floors and the ICP via the firefighter in the
Battalion Vehicle.
i) The Battalion firefighter can then relay messages via handie-talkie to the chief in the lobby.
j) The aide is able to communicate with the second Engine by using the repeater radio.
k) The second arriving Battalion Chief shall leave their Post radio with the Incident Commander (set on the secondary command channel). At this point, the first arriving Battalion firefighter shall report to the lobby.

Question 31

Maximum wattage of the DC/BC 40 watt UHF radios will be achieved with?

Answer 31

8.1 All Divisions and Battalion vehicles are equipped with a 40 watt UHF mobile radio that
can be used for EMERGENCY TRANSMISSIONS. Maximum wattage will be achieved with the vehicle engine running.

Question 32

To operate the UHF radio, the Chief Officer should do what?

Answer 32

8.4
 Select the required channel on the radio.
 Talk into the white microphone attached on the side of the radio.
 Broadcast your message at 40 watts.
8.5 Members should be aware that use of this radio is strictly for emergency transmissions only. Casual use of this radio will cause operations distant from the scene to be hampered by the stronger signal (40 watts compared to the HTs 2-5 watts of power).