Communications Procedures

Question 1

What does UHF and VHF stand for

Answer 1

Ultra-high frequency

Very high frequency

Question 2

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. SO will tag radio with repair or fault details. Email Specialised Operatiomns 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

Name 5 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

Question 4

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

Answer 4

OPS 1 Zone A, Channel 1

Question 5

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

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

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

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

Answer 8

When below 80%

Question 9

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

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

Answer 10

Black Mt

Question 11

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

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

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

What does RSSI mean

Answer 14

Received Signal Strength Indicator

Question 15

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

What are the radio colour codes and meanings

Answer 16

Question 17

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 MDT.

Question 18

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

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.

Question 20

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

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

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.

Question 23

In which vehicles would you find a satellite phone

Answer 23

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

Question 24

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

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

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

Answer 26

F

Question 27

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

Answer 27

No

Question 28

When PTT is depressed on your portabke 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

List all TRN towers in ACT and surrounds

Answer 29

Question 30

Pro words used by units in the field

Answer 30

Question 31

Pro words used by Comcen

Answer 31