Communications Procedures

Question 1

Communications Procedure:

What does UHF and VHF stand for

Answer 1

UHF = Ultra-high frequency

VHF = Very high frequency

Question 2

Communications Procedure:

When you notice damage or a fault with your Harris XL-200P portable radio, what actions should you take

Answer 2

Report to operational CMDR through chain of command:

Tag radio for repair and report to SO.

SO will ensure radio is tagged with correct repair or fault details.

SO will email Specialised Operations with details and name of CMDR who has arranged collection.

CMDR will arrange tagged radio to be sent to Specialised Operations for repair and spare radio issued temporarily.

Question 3

Communications Procedure:

Name zones found on ACTF&R radios and detail what can be found at each zone

Answer 3

Zone A: 17 talk-groups - current ACTF&R, includes ACTNSWD304 and A510 NSW FR, simplex channels

Zone B: National simplex channels, hazard reduction burn, southern region RFS units

Zone CT: Common trunk talk-groups, common to all ESA

Zone DZ: Disaster zone

Zone CA: Common analog (ability to talk to RFS on simplex)

Zone CD: Common digital (ability to talk to RFS on simplex)

Zone X: Awaiting to be removed

Question 4

Communications Procedure:

What TRN talk-group is always monitored by ACTF&R? And on what zone and channel?

Answer 4

OPS 1 Zone A, Channel 1

Question 5

Communications Procedure:

Describe the difference between simplex and network talk-groups

Answer 5

TRN talk-groups transmit through towers in the ACT and NSW to effectively cover all of the ACT. Often encrypted and monitored by ACTF&R comcen.

Simplex talk-groups communicate direct radio to radio. They operate off the network meaning comcen cannot monitor.

Question 6

Communications Procedure:

Use pro words to shorten ‘This is pumper 9. I have received your call and I’m awaiting your message.’

Answer 6

Pumper 9. Replying

Question 7

Communications Procedure:

5 ALIAS names found on portable radios in a standard pumper. Pumper 2

Answer 7

P2 SO (station officer)

P2 MD (motor driver)

P2 SFF (most senior of crew in back seat)

P2 FF (less senior of crew in back seat)

P2 AUX (auxiliary radio)

Question 8

Communications Procedure:

At what percentage should you change your portable radio battery during daily checks

Answer 8

When below 80%

Question 9

Communications Procedure:

When changing and charging batteries what are 3 thing you should never do

Answer 9

Remove a battery whilst the radio is turned on.

Place the radio in a charger whilst the radio is turned on.

Use excessive force when fitting a battery to a radio.

Question 10

Communications Procedure:

When using Zone DZ (OPS1 - 11) what tower will our operations channels default

Answer 10

Black Mt tower.

Question 11

Communications Procedure:

If you experience continued disruptions on Zone DZ Ops 1-11 during a TRN failure. What could you do?

Answer 11

Change to CH, 18 - 30 which will lock onto different towers. If its still disrupted change to simplex which will communicate radio to radio.

Question 12

Communications Procedure:

Why does radio shadow occur

Answer 12

UHF radio waves follow a relatively straight line. When hills or large building block these waves they cast a shadow which weakens or totally blocks the signal.

Question 13

Communications Procedure:

What type of radio used in ACTF&R has the highest output

Answer 13

Base station and mobile radio have higher output at 25W compared to portables at 5W. Its important to remember if reception is poor the mobile may get through when the portable won’t.

Question 14

Communications Procedure:

What does RSSI mean

Answer 14

Received Signal Strength Indicator

Question 15

Communications Procedure:

What does the black key mean in the status area of a radio

Answer 15

Connected to an encrypted talk-group, which offer a higher level of security.

Question 16

Communications Procedure:

Priority colour codes when messaging to comcen

Answer 16

Say Comcen then callsign and colour code.

Wait for go ahead.

Pass message.

Question 17

Communications Procedure:

List the actions, which routinely communicate the following situation back to comcen. You have recieved a fire call at station?

Answer 17

Receive DTS, crew acknowledge, get in truck and acknowledge on MDT.

Question 18

Communications Procedure:

List the actions, which routinely communicate the following situation back to comcen. You have arrived at an incident?

Answer 18

Change MDT status to ‘at incident’ followed by a brief R/T.

Question 19

Communications Procedure:

List the actions, which routinely communicate the following situation back to comcen. You are departing an incident and returning to station?

Answer 19

Brief R/T followed by MDT update to mobile available.

Question 20

Communications Procedure:

5 pieces of information that could be given in a ‘Sitrep’

Answer 20

Search and Rescue

Change in conditions

Fire extension

Fire is under control

Structural collapse

Question 21

Communications Procedure:

The pumper is just about to enter the engine bay. The SO has selected the status ‘at home station’ on the MDT. What should he/she ensure before alighting from the vehicle.

Answer 21

Wait for the correct status to show in upper case.

Question 22

Communications Procedure:

When you PTT on your TRN radio and hear a brief ‘chirp’. What does this mean?

Answer 22

You have received the grant tone and are now clear to talk.

Deny tone is a ‘burp’.

Question 23

Communications Procedure:

In which vehicles would you find a satellite phone

Answer 23

Both operational CMDR’s vehicles and the RAR vehicle 49.

Question 24

Communications Procedure:

When would ‘Zone A CH 14 P/Hse Sec3’ be used

Answer 24

Parliament house as its hard to recieve a signal inside. They have given us our own channel to talk between one another.

Question 25

Communications Procedure:

The spare pumper, pumper 14, is operating out of station 4 whilst pumper 4 is in repair. What is its call sign?

Answer 25

Pumper 14-4

Question 26

Communications Procedure:

When updating crew into the MDT, what letter must be input before members ID number

Answer 26

F

Question 27

Communications Procedure:

Can a member be added into the ‘crew movements’ if he/she is already assigned to another vehicle

Answer 27

No

Question 28

Communications Procedure:

When PTT is depressed on your portable radio and you recieve a beeping sound and ‘KEY NOT FOUND’ message displayed on the screen what should you do?

Answer 28

Navigate to security menu. Its likely the active keyset has been changed to KS2_MIX. Press to change back to KS1_MIX. Try PTT again.

Question 29

Communications Procedure:

List all TRN towers in ACT and surrounds

Answer 29

Question 30

Communications Procedure:

Pro words used by units in the field

Answer 30

Question 31

Communications Procedure:

Pro words used by Comcen

Answer 31

Question 32

Radio Morning check procedure

Answer 32

Identify your radio for that shift.

Switch radio on.

Check the battery charge level. Replace if below 80%.

Check the aeirial and mike attachments are firm.

Ensure Zone A: Ch 1OPS1 on front screen.

Listen for OPS ONE announcement.

Ensure channel knob is reset in position 1and group selecter is in group A.

Switch radio off and place on truck in secure position.

Question 33

What factor are important when speaking via radio transmission.

Answer 33

RSVPS:

Rhythm - speak naturally with normal rhythm.

Speed - speak with steady constant pace. pause between phrases.

Volume - Slightly louder than normal. Hold mike in consistent position.

Pitch - Slightly higher pitch.

Sentences - Short, use pro words where applicable.

Question 34

Pro words used by both Comcen and field units

Answer 34