Comms Flashcards
What does Metro describe as ‘active listening’?
Where you make a conscious effort to understand not only the individual words but the complete message.
What is a barrier to active listening?
Distraction
What details must you give to identify yourself in a radio transmission?
- TDN
- Origin
- Destination
- Location
-How to be contacted (Radio number)
How can you ensure you’ve heard someone’s message correctly, or they’ve heard yours?
Repeat it back
What is the benefit of the phonetic alphabet?
No two words sound alike, and only two have one syllable
What are the eight steps of making a TEC or REC call?
- “Emergency, emergency, emergency.”
- TDN and location
- State nature of emergency
- State if any lines are blocked/obstructed
- State if overheads need to be isolated
- type of assistance required
- Ask receiver to repeat back message
(8. If required, call emergency services)
What does the first digit of a TDN signify?
The destination or type of service
What does the second digit of a TDN signift?
0 to 5, direct services
6 to 9, via city loop
What do the third and fourth numbers of a TDN signify?
Even numbers = Up trains
Odd numbers = Down trains
How do you use a Signal Post Telephone?
Raise the handset and wait for an answer
Who answers a Signal Post Telephone?
Signaller
Who answers the Signal Post Telephones in the MURL?
Area Manager
PABX/Internal phones:
What extensions are the 1 and 5 digits used to dial internally?
1 = 9619
5 = 9610
Flinders St Operational Telephones:
What are the two buttons on a platform phone at Flinders St?
- Flinders St Control Room
- Metrol
How far apart are MURL telephones placed?
Every 150 metres.
How do you answer the MURL phones?
Press red button beneath box
What to do if the blue MURL lights flash?
- Bring train to stop using normal brakes
- Contact Area Controller using DTRS, portable radio or MURL telephone
What is a SEPAC Telephone?
Dedicated phone direct to Train Controller at Metrol, located at platforms and signal boxes. Ask Station Staff if you need to use it.
How can you call the driver of another train directly?
Through the DTRS using either their TDN or motor number
What happens if you receive an SMS on your fixed DTRS
Report it immediately to the Train Controller at Metrol
The DTRS is the primary communication device between the driver and…?
- Train Controllers
- Area Controllers
- Signallers
Calls from Train Controllers, Area Controllers and Signallers to the Fixed Train Radio will automatically answer after…?
4 seconds
Calls to the Portable Radio will automatically answer after…?
2 seconds
When should you answer your DTRS, Portable Radio or Metro-issued Mobile Phone?
When it is safe to do so
When must you test a cab radio and what is the number?
Test the DTRS when:
- Prepping train
- Suspected radio fault
- After a DTRS fault has been rectified.
Number is: 849 801
If the train loses overhead power, how long will the DTRS and PA systems operate for?
Aprox. 2 hours
How long until a TDN automatically deregisters and how do we do it manually on a fixed radio?
Times out after 4 hours.
To manually de-register, press the TD button and select ‘confirm de-registration’.
How do we change the channel on the DTRS from DTR to LTR?
Pressing the LTR button on the Cab Fist Microphone (below the push-to-talk button)
When must a driver take the portable radio out of the cradle? (5)
- Performing fault finding
- Preparing a train
- Dealing with on-train emergency
- Carrying out actions to protect an obstructed line
- Carrying out duties associated with the rescue of a failed train
Who must a driver report a lost/stolen radio to?
Duty Manager
What to do if TDN has failed in both the cab and portable radios?
Call the Train Controller and inform them of your Metro-issued mobile phone number
How to unlock the portable radio?
Press the star, followed by OK.
How long until the keypad on the portable radio locks and the screen turns off?
Keypad lock = 90 seconds
Screen off = 60 seconds
What are numbers 1 to 3 on the Portable Radio Shortcuts?
- Train Controller
- Not in use
- Area Controller
What are numbers 4 to 6 on the Portable Radio Shortcuts?
- DAO
- PD’s help desk
- Fleet Controller
What are numbers 7 to 9 on the Portable Radio Shortcuts?
- Local call
- Maintenance
- TEC - Emergency
How to enter TDN on portable radio?
Unlock phone, press small green shortcut key twice, enter TDN and press OK
How to de-register TDN on portable radio?
Unlock phone, press yellow button 3 times.
How to call 000 from a portable radio?
90 000
On a fixed DTRS, how long do you need to press the REC/TEC buttons to activate?
0.5 seconds
If the REC button isn’t working, how else can you make a REC call?
Through the ‘menu’ button on the DTRS.
How do you speak once you’ve made a REC call and it has connected?
Press the PTT button (foot pedal or fist mic)
Do not speak until the word ‘speak’ appears in the upper right-hand corner under the TDN.
Who can close a REC call?
Only the call initiator or Metrol (NEVER cancel a REC yourself as a driver)
How to make a REC call on a Portable Radio?
Press the red REC button for 2 continuous seconds.
Once the screen changes to red you must press the PTT button to confirm REC status within 2 seconds or call will not be made.
Receiving a REC call – how long until it automatically answers?
5 seconds
What must you do if you receive a REC call?
Stop immediately using normal brakes and listen to REC transmission.
What must you do if no transmission is received following a REC call?
If no transmission received:
Remain stationary for 1 minute then proceed at extreme caution to either
a) the first signal displaying STOP
b) the next station
c) before a point of danger
DO NOT enter the MURL unless instructed by the train controller
REC involving VLine or freight lines:
Metro driver must use the LTR function of the DTRS fist microphone to warn non-MTM trains and instruct them to stop.
(LHS button, next to ‘M’)
How long without transmission will a LTR channel revert back to DTRS?
10 seconds
How to make TEC call on portable radio?
With keypad unlocked, press 9 and the green ‘send’ key.
(DTRS) If you’re on hold to Metrol and need to escalate to a TEC or REC, how do you cancel the initial call?
Press the X button
What is the difference between a TEC and a REC?
A REC involved multiple lines, a REC only affects your line/train
When can a Train Controller make group calls to drivers? (3)
1) to inform of a CAN
2) Updates to network operations
3) Advising drivers to return to normal after a REC
How to make a local call using the DTRS
1) Press menu
2) Press 1
3) Press the tick button
4) use the ‘push to talk’ button
How to make a local call on the portable radio
1) unlock phone
2) Press key 7
3) Press green dial button
How to make TDN or MCN calls from the fixed DTRS:
1) Press ‘menu’
2) Press ‘3’ for calls
3) In sub-menu press 1 to call by TDN or 2 to call by MCN and then tick
4) Enter the TDN or MCN and then tick
How to call Train Controller from fixed DTRS?
Either the ‘T’ button, or select Menu, 3, then 6, then tick.
How to call the Area Controller from the DTRS?
Press the ‘A’ button, or select Menu, then 3, then 7, then tick
How to call the DAO from the fixed DTRS?
Press the ‘chair’ button, or select ‘menu’ then 3, then 8, then tick.
How to initiate a self-test of the DTRS radio? (if suspected fault)
Press menu
then scroll to 7 - test
then scroll to 5 - self-test
then tick
What to do if cab radio fails?
Report the fault as per the Fault Management Protocol
Use the portable as the primary train radio
What to do if portable radio also fails?
Report fault to Duty Manager
Continue in service using Metro-issued mobile phone
Seek replacement ASAP
Can a portable radio be answered while the train is in motion?
No.
What does the ABC of Safety Critical Communications stand for?
Accurate
Brief
Clear
Over comms, how do you signify you have finished speaking and are waiting for a reply?
“over”
Over comms, how do you signify that a conversation is finished?
“Out”
When can a portable radio be used within the driver’s cab of a train?
When it is being used as the primary radio?
What should you do if a call fails to connect?
Report it as a fault.
Further attempts on other forms of communication must be used
On an LTR call, what is the maximum continuous transmission time?
30 seconds
