Futurecom Systems Group ULC MBX800 Mobexcom 800 User Manual 8A073X022 3

Futurecom Systems Group ULC. Mobexcom 800 8A073X022 3

Users Manual Rev 3

Futurecom Systems Group Inc. VEHICULAR REPEATERUSER’S MANUAL8A073X02 Rev-Preliminary
Vehicular Repeater SystemFuturecom Systems Group Inc. 8A073X022_3 Rev. Preliminary Page 21. TABLE OF CONTENTSSection Page1. TABLE OF CONTENTS.......................................................................................................22. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................4REPEATER MODES .........................................................................................................................................................................4CONTROL HEAD..............................................................................................................................................................................5REPEATER RADIO UNIT................................................................................................................................................................6VHF MOBILE RADIO UNIT............................................................................................................................................................63. OPERATION .........................................................................................................................7CONTROL HEAD..............................................................................................................................................................................7
Vehicular Repeater SystemFuturecom Systems Group Inc. 8A073X022_3 Rev. Preliminary Page 3NOTE:This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of theFCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment isoperated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if notinstalled and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be requiredto correct the interference at his own expense.WARNING:Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Futurecom Systems Group Inc. could void the user’s authority tooperate the equipment.WARNING:To Satisfy FCC/IC RF exposure requirements for mobile transmitting devices, a separation distance should be maintainedbetween the antenna of this device and persons during service operation. To ensure compliance, operations at closer than thisdistance is not recommended. The following table 1 show this distance for different frequency bands and typical mobileomnidirectional antennas:ANTENNA GAIN [dBi]036 OUTPUT POWER [W]113 18 25528 39 5510 39 55 7815 47 67 94Table 1: Minimum Distance Between 800/900MHz Omnidirectional Mobile Antenna and People (in cm)Contact Futurecom Systems Group Inc. for different antenna gain/output power combinations.
Vehicular Repeater SystemFuturecom Systems Group Inc. 8A073X022_3 Rev. Preliminary Page 42. INTRODUCTIONThe Futurecom MOBEXCOM® Vehicular Repeater is designed to interface to a range of mobile radios and control heads. Itpermits expanded operation of portable radios. The Vehicular Repeater system consists of e.g. a MCS2000 mobile radio,MOBEXCOM® Vehicular Repeater unit, a mobile radio Control Head and a RF multiplexer. The Control Head communicateswith the Vehicular Repeater and the mobile using a serial data protocol.REPEATER MODESThe Vehicular Repeater operates in one of three modes. The mode of operation is selectable from the Mobile Control Head bythe mobile radio operator.The three modes are known as the MOBILE, LOCAL and SYSTEM modes. The function and purpose of each mode isdescribed as follows.Mobile ModeIn the MOBILE mode, the vehicular repeater is completely disabled. The mobile radio is operational and will permit the mobileradio user to communicate conventionally, using the mobile radio. The mobile user may select the desired mobile operatingchannel, adjust the receiver volume level and transmit using the microphone Push-to-Talk (PTT).This mode is used when Repeater operation is not desired. The Vehicular Repeater System operates similarly to a standardmobile radio system, as if the Repeater were not present. The RF multiplexer is disabled and the antenna is connected directlyto the mobile radio.The MOBILE mode should be selected if several Repeater equipped vehicles are in the same area and another VehicularRepeater already has LOCAL or SYSTEM mode enabled.Local Repeat ModeIn the LOCAL repeat mode, the Vehicular Repeater is enabled to permit communications among nearby portable radio usersand the mobile radio user. Repeater signals are not retransmitted by the Mobile Radio, so that communications on the mobilechannel will not be disturbed. However, all functions of the mobile radio operate normally, except for scan, microphone mobilePush-to-Talk, scan activation, mode selection, zone selection, home channel operation and mobile channel selection. Whenthe LOCAL repeat mode is selected, the mobile radio scan is deactivated and the mobile radio reverts to the selected mobilechannel. Signals received by the Vehicular Repeater receiver are heard in the mobile speaker and will also be retransmitted bythe Vehicular Repeater transmitter. Signals received by the Mobile receiver are heard in the Mobile speaker and will betransmitted by the Vehicular Repeater. When signals are present in both the Vehicular Repeater and Mobile receiverssimultaneously, the signal from the Vehicular Repeater will have priority in the mobile speaker. (Note that the receiver/PTTand speaker priorities are programmable.)The mobile user will key only the Vehicular Repeater transmitter when using the microphone Push-to-Talk. The VehicularRepeater receiver has full priority over the mobile radio operator microphone Push-to-Talk. To respond to a mobile signal, themobile operator must enter either the MOBILE or SYSTEM mode to be able to transmit from the mobile radio.The mobile user may adjust the receiver volume level and transmit over the Vehicular Repeater using the microphone Push-to-Talk.The LOCAL mode, as the name implies, permits communications among portable radio users and the mobile radio operator,without interfering with the mobile radio dispatch channels.System Repeat ModeIn the SYSTEM repeat mode, both the Mobile Radio and the Vehicular Repeater are enabled to permit the full exchange ofcommunications among nearby portable radio users, the mobile radio user and the dispatcher and other users on the MobileRadio channel. Signals received by the Vehicular Repeater receiver are heard in the mobile speaker and will also beretransmitted by both the Vehicular Repeater and Mobile transmitters. Signals received by the Mobile receiver are heard in themobile radio speaker and are also retransmitted out of the Vehicular Repeater transmitter. However, all functions of the mobileradio operate normally, except for scan, scan activation, mode selection, zone selection, home channel operation and mobilechannel selection. When the SYSTEM repeat mode is selected, the mobile radio scan is deactivated and the mobile radioreverts to the selected mobile channel. When signals are present in both the Vehicular Repeater and Mobile receiverssimultaneously, the signal from the Vehicular Repeater will have priority in the mobile speaker. (Note that the receiver/PTT andspeaker priorities are programmable.)
Vehicular Repeater SystemFuturecom Systems Group Inc. 8A073X022_3 Rev. Preliminary Page 5The mobile user simultaneously keys both the Mobile radio and Vehicular Repeater transmitters when using the microphonePush-to-Talk. The Vehicular Repeater receiver has full priority over the mobile radio operator microphone Push-to-Talk. Themobile radio operator microphone Push-to-Talk has priority over the Mobile receiver.When signals are present in both the Vehicular Repeater and Mobile receivers simultaneously, the signal from the VehicularRepeater has priority in the mobile speaker.The mobile user may adjust the receiver volume level and transmit over the Vehicular Repeater and Mobile Radio, using themicrophone Push-to-Talk.The SYSTEM repeat mode is used when full communications among all radio parties is desired.CONTROL HEADThe control unit is e.g. the standard MCS2000 control head. The Vehicular Repeater is designed to operate with a variety ofcontrol heads. It is a ruggedly constructed weatherized control unit, incorporating an array of pushbuttons, a Liquid Crystaldisplay, 2 knobs and 2 LED indicators. The display and pushbuttons are backlit for nighttimes visibility.The control unit is housed in a two-piece plastic, weather-resistant housing. The external radio/repeater connections aremade to connector on the rear of the unit. A microphone is provided and is secured to the control unit connector on the frontof the control unit.A serial-control data interface is used to provide a communications connection between the control unit, the VehicularRepeater and the mobile radio.The following features are provided:Knobs for:‘Volume’ with integral Power On/Off pushbutton switch‘Channel’ selectionPushbuttons for:‘Zone’‘Page’‘Monitor’ ON/OFF‘Alarm’ (∆)‘Private’ (∅)‘Repeater mode’ selection (H/L)‘Phon’‘Scan’‘Call’‘Opt’‘Home Menu’‘Sel’LED Indicators for:‘Mobile Transmit’ (Red LED)‘Mobile Receiver Busy’ (Orange LED)Display:Alphanumeric LCD (with backlighting)Indicators are provided to display the receiver and transmitter status of the mobile. The ‘Mobile Transmit’ red indicatorlights whenever the mobile transmitter is keyed. The ‘Mobile Receiver Busy’ orange indicator lights whenever the receiver isbusy, regardless of presence or absence of any CTCSS (Channel-Guard) tone coding.
Vehicular Repeater SystemFuturecom Systems Group Inc. 8A073X022_3 Rev. Preliminary Page 6REPEATER RADIO UNITThe Repeater is designed to implement a Vehicular Repeater System, to provide portable radio users greater communicationrange by repeating signals through the vehicle's mobile radio to the dispatch centre. Various modes of repeater operation areavailable, to suit different operational requirements. The Vehicular Repeater Radio is the central connection point for thevehicular system. It connects to an external Control Head and Mobile Radio.It includes all the necessary hardware for repeater operations. The Repeater is housed in a weather resistant metal enclosurewith 2 removable covers. The covers provide protection for the connectors. The Repeater is mounted on a RF multiplexer.The Repeater communicates with the control head and the mobile radio via serial communication bus.VHF MOBILE RADIO UNITThe Mobile Radio used in the Vehicular Repeater System is e.g. a standard Motorola MCS2000 radio. Refer to Motoroladocumentation for details of operation of this radio. The Vehicular Repeater is designed to operate with a variety of mobileradio units.
Vehicular Repeater SystemFuturecom Systems Group Inc. 8A073X022_3 Rev. Preliminary Page 73. OPERATIONCONTROL HEADThe Repeater Control Head selects mode of operation for both the Repeater and the Mobile Radio.To Turn the Repeater ON or OFFPress the button in the Volume knob located on the left side of the control unit. The display should become active when thesystem turns ON. A test message appears briefly on the display. When the system is turned ON, the Mobile Channel andRepeater Mode will automatically return to the same settings that were in effect when the power was last turned OFF. Pressthe button in the Volume knob second time to turn the Repeater OFF.To Change the Speaker VolumeTurn the Volume knob until the desired volume level is reached.To Change the Repeater ModePress the 'H/L' button once. The Repeater mode is changed in the following sequence: MOBILE-SYSTEM-LOCAL-… In theMobile mode the alphanumeric display shows ‘ZONE CHANNEL’. In the System mode the display changes to ‘RSYSCHANNEL’ and in the Local mode it shows ‘RLOC CHANNEL’. (‘ZONE’ is the selected Mobile zone name while ‘CHANNEL’is the selected Mobile channel name.) When the LOCAL or SYSTEM repeat modes are selected, the mobile radio scan isdeactivated and the mobile radio reverts to the selected mobile channel.NOTEThe Mobile zone and channel cannot be changed while in LOCAL and SYSTEM repeat modes.Refer to the earlier description of repeat modes.MOBILE XMIT Status IndicatorThe 'MOBILE XMIT' red LED indicator is one of two status indicators that is provided on the Control Head, located in theupper left corner. This indicator will light whenever the Mobile Transmitter is keyed. This will occur in 'MOBILE' or 'SYSTEM'mode when the microphone Push-to-Talk is being pressed or when a signal from the Vehicular Repeater is being retransmittedby the Mobile Radio (In 'SYSTEM' mode).MOBILE BUSY Status IndicatorThe 'MOBILE BUSY' orange LED indicator is one of two status indicators that are provided on the Control Head, located inthe upper left corner. This indicator will light whenever the Mobile Radio is receiving any signal on the selected MobileChannel. If CTCSS (Channel Guard) tone coding is used, the signal may not be audible if the coding does not match.Note that if the microphone is “off-hook”, the Mobile/Repeater audio will be heard on the speaker even if CTCSS is notpresent or is incorrect. This is the same as the Monitor function.ALPHANUMERIC Status IndicationThe ‘ZONE’ is not displayed in the LOCAL and SYSTEM repeat modes. Instead, this portion of the alphanumeric displayshows the status of the Repeater in these two modes together with 'MOBILE XMIT' and 'MOBILE BUSY' status indicators.The following tables summarize indicators for different Repeater states:
Vehicular Repeater SystemFuturecom Systems Group Inc. 8A073X022_3 Rev. Preliminary Page 8CONTROL HEAD INDICATORS AND ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY – MOBILE MODEREPEATER STATE ‘MOBILE BUSY’ ‘MOBILE XMIT’ DISPLAYMOBILE RECEIVE WITHCTCSS ON ‘ZONE CHANNEL’MOBILE RECEIVEWITHOUT CTCSS ON ‘ZONE CHANNEL’MICROPHONE PTT ON ‘ZONE CHANNEL’REPEATER RECEIVE WITHCTCSS ‘ZONE CHANNEL’REPEATER RECEIVEWITHOUT CTCSS ‘ZONE CHANNEL’CONTROL HEAD INDICATORS AND ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY – LOCAL MODEREPEATER STATE ‘MOBILE BUSY’ ‘MOBILE XMIT’ DISPLAYMOBILE RECEIVE WITHCTCSS ON ‘RL TX CHANNEL’MOBILE RECEIVEWITHOUT CTCSS ON ‘RLOC CHANNEL’MICROPHONE PTT ‘RL TX CHANNEL’REPEATER RECEIVE WITHCTCSS ‘RL RT CHANNEL’REPEATER RECEIVEWITHOUT CTCSS ‘RL RX CHANNEL’CONTROL HEAD INDICATORS AND ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY – SYSTEM MODEREPEATER STATE ‘MOBILE BUSY’ ‘MOBILE XMIT’ DISPLAYMOBILE RECEIVE WITHCTCSS ON ‘RS TX CHANNEL’MOBILE RECEIVEWITHOUT CTCSS ON ‘RSYS CHANNEL’MICROPHONE PTT ON ‘RS TX CHANNEL’REPEATER RECEIVE WITHCTCSS ON ‘RS RT CHANNEL’REPEATER RECEIVEWITHOUT CTCSS ‘RS RX CHANNEL’Note that ‘ZONE’ and ‘CHANNEL’ are the selected Mobile zone and channel names, respectively.
Vehicular Repeater SystemFuturecom Systems Group Inc. 8A073X022_3 Rev. Preliminary Page 9Functions Disabled in LOCAL and SYSTEM Repeat ModesThere are several control unit button and knob functions, which are disabled in the LOCAL and SYSTEM repeat modes.These are Scan activation, Mode selection, Zone selection, Home channel operation and Mobile channel selection.NOTEA standard audible error signal “bop” as well as an error message is displayed ‘RLOC VR ACTIVE’ or ‘RSYS VR ACTIVE’ ifany of the above functions are attempted in the LOCAL or SYSTEM repeat modes.Other Button and Knob FunctionsThe available Repeater functions are:• ‘Monitor’ - unmutes speaker audio when Mobile or Repeater RF carrier is present.• ‘H/C’ - changes Repeat mode of operation.• ‘Call’ - sends call signal via Mobile transmission (SYSTEM and MOBILE mode only).• ‘Opt’ - dims alphanumeric display.All other buttons and knobs function as programmed in the standard MCS2000 radio. Please refer to Motorola documentationfor details of operation.

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