Communications Ch 13

Question 1

Duplex channels transmit on

Answer 1

One frequency but receive a signal back on a different frequency, therefore communications on these channels is only possible when used in conjunction with a duplex UHF repeater system

Question 2

The duplex HT channels are

Answer 2

11, 12, 14, 15

Question 3

Channel 9 is a

Answer 3

Digital channel for future use

Question 4

ARCS consist of

Answer 4

Transmitter
Receiver
Antennae
Cabling

Question 5

ARCS can be programmed to

Answer 5

Our HT frequencies or have their own Proprietary frequencies requiring in house radios to be provided for members

Question 6

Duplex radio systems don’t

Answer 6

Support multiple transmissions, Transmissions at the same time may cancel each other out

Question 7

Base station leaky cable simplex UHF or VHF radio system

Answer 7

Base radio connected to a cable that runs through the building. Can operate either on FDNY UHF HT channels 1-8 or it may utilize in house radios (proprietary)

Question 8

Who activates the ARCS system

Answer 8

1st arriving Ladder Officer

Question 9

Who insures a functional test of the ARCS system

Answer 9

1st Due Truck

Question 10

Who notifies the dispatcher to inform all incoming units of activation of building duplex UHF radio repeater system and channel 11/12 have been activated or in house radios being used

Answer 10

1st due truck officer

Question 11

If the FDNY vehicle cross band repeater fails to operate or is not available the IC should attempt

Answer 11

Post to Post radio communications if unsuccessful then utilize any of the following

1) direct a member to the battalion vehicle in order to contact the fire sector branch on the 40 watt FDNY mobile UHF radio to relay messages
2) Designate a member with a Post radio to take a position outside the building to relay messages
3) If all post radio messages fail to provide a viable communications link then utilize the ARCS to establish a Command channel

Question 12

If Post to Post radio communication is viable the

Answer 12

ARCS should still be established as a backup

Question 13

At Infrastructure, (subways, tunnels, transportation hubs and below grade areas) once operations are underway and conditions dictate the IC can have the

Answer 13

Repeater system tested to see if it is functioning. Once confirmed its functioning the IC may attempt to use the repeater system as a Command channel. The IC may direct the appropriate officers to switch to Channel 14 (primary subway repeater channel) on their HT’s

Question 14

The NYC transit duplex repeater channel is

Answer 14

Always on

Question 15

What has experience shown about the Post radio in below grade operations

Answer 15

The post radio may prove unreliable in below grade operations

Question 16

Do you need to establish an HT relay if the station repeater is working

Answer 16

Yes

Question 17

Vehicle tunnels are equipped with a

Answer 17

Limited number of in house radios for use by chief officers. The IC may designate the in house radio channel as the command channel and monitor it or designate the aide or another member to monitor it.

Question 18

1st arriving BC

Answer 18

1) Take the post radio set to ch 2 to the ICP
2) Chief will ensure a communications link is established with the 1st due ladder officer
3) The chief will monitor or designate a member to monitor ch 11/12 or the in house radio
4) The chief may designate the duplex UHF repeater channel or the in house radio channel as the Command channel
5) The post radio can be used to establish a command channel on channel 2

Question 19

2nd arriving BC

Answer 19

Report to Comman Post with post radio set to channel 2

2) If assigned as a fire sector supervisor take the post radio and if appropriate an in house radio
3) The battalion firefighter will accompany the Chief and monitor Channel 1 for emergency CORE relay messages

Question 20

Grand central terminal and Penn station radio repeater systems are

Answer 20

Always on

Question 21

IC must when the ARCS system is activated

Answer 21

1) Notify dispatcher to relay to responding units ARCS is in use
2) Notify FAST Truck that they will need additional HT’s for each channel in use
3) Notify dispatcher/FDOC to request buildings rep to command post
4) Insure from dispatcher the response of Feild Comm/field comm satellite unit
5) IC must conduct a roll call on the command channel of all chiefs at the scene to insure they are operating on the correct communications channel once a command channel is established

Question 22

If the ARCS system fails

Answer 22

1) IC should attempt to contact members on HT channel 1

2) Use the Reverse Channel frequency in the BC/DC vehicles

Question 23

What are the reverse channel for the ARC’s

Answer 23

Channel 17 is the reverse for channel 11 (building repeater)
Channel 18 is the reverse for channel 12 (building repeater)

This is used on the Post Radio or FDNY Mobile UHF Radio to transmit an emergency message

Question 24

What are the reverse channels for the subway repeaters

Answer 24

Channel 19 is the reverse for channel 14 (subway repeater)
Channel 20 is the reverse for channel 15 (subway repeater)

This is used on the Post Radio or FDNY Mobile UHF Radio to transmit an emergency message

Question 25

You are a LT responding to a fire in a High Rise Office building equipped with an ARCS. What do you need to do

Answer 25

The dispatcher must be notified for relay to all incoming units if either the in-house radios or the FDNY HT channels 11 or 12 are being utilized

Question 26

You are the 1st BC at a 10-76. You notify the dispatcher that you are activating your cross band repeater. You arrive at the ICP and realize the cross band repeater has failed. What is your next move

Answer 26

Attempt Post to Post radio communications from the Lobby Command Post

Question 27

True or false

Utilization of the buildings ARCS is only necessary if no other communication options are viable

Answer 27

False

Question 28

Regarding the repeater system in the subway system what does the IC need to do

Answer 28

IC needs the system tested to confirm it is functioning

Question 29

Once confirmed that the subway repeater system is functioning the IC

Answer 29

May attempt to use the repeater system as a COMMAND channel. The IC may direct the appropriate officers to switch to Channel 14 ( Primary Subway Repeater Channel) on their HT’s

Question 30

The NYC Transit Duplex radio repeater system is

Answer 30

Always on and Channel 14 on the FDNY HT’s is the Primary Subway Repeater Channel

Question 31

The 1st arriving ladder company must establish an effective

Answer 31

HT relay whether the subway station is equipped with an operating repeater system or not

Question 32

ARCS points

Answer 32

• Duplex radio repeater systems DO NOT support multiple transmissions
• Failure of the repeater system for any reason will negate all communications on the repeater channel
• The Javits Center, Macy’s and Grand Central Terminal are all examples of proprietary duplex UHF and VHF duplex repeaters
• Repeater channels are programmable to FDNY radio frequencies

Question 33

You are the Chief officer operating at an All Hands fire where the ARCS has been utilized (channel 11). You notice there are some dead spots in the building where you have been unable to make contact with the units under your command. In this situation you would be correct to

Answer 33

Instruct members to return to areas where the ARCS communications were successful

Question 34

Reverse channel for the following channels
11
12
14
15

Answer 34

Remember 7/11
17 reverse channel for 11 (building repeater)
18 reverse channel for 12 (building repeater)
19 reverse channel for 14 (subway repeater)
20 reverse channel for 15 (subway repeater)