Intra-Crew Communications Plan 2008

1. Intra-Crew CommunicationsPlan 2008 November 28, 2006

2. 2008 Intra-Crew Plan 4 Available Frequencies: Common User National Intra-Crew 163.7125 Mhz (NTIA) Primary IA & Incident 167.1375 Mhz (NTIA) Secondary IA & Incident 168.6125 Mhz (NTIA) Tertiary IA & Incident 173.6250 Mhz (NTIA) • Additional Frequencies may be available upon request. -Depending on the complexity, crews assigned, and frequency availability. • Common Use Frequencies are shared with other federal agencies. -They are not authorized or intended for exclusive use of any one agency.

3. Intra-Crew Guidelines • Utilize National Intra-crew frequency during mobilization process. -Travel, Home Unit • Utilize Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary frequencies on IA or incident. -Project Fires, Initial Attack • Coordinate frequency use with other Crews. -Minimizes crew interference • Narrow Band Operation. -All NTIA Common Use Frequencies are Narrowband use ONLY. • Tactical Operation and coordination are to be conducted on assigned Division Tactical Frequencies. -Intra-crew is for Logistical purposes only. • Tone/NAC on RX and TX on all Intra-crew Frequencies. -Enable Code Guard on King Radios • No use of any other Intra-crew Frequencies are authorized on Incident, unless issued by NIFC or COML.

4. Intra-Crew Guidelines • Intra-Crew NOT authorized in Mobiles. -NTIA Common Use Frequencies authorized for under 30 watts only. -Could cause interference issues if used in mobiles. • When de-mobed from incident, release issued Frequencies back to NIFC. • Maintain radio discipline at all times. • Utilize lowest transmit power setting possible, without compromising safety. • Frequencies available all year.

5. Intra-Crew Notes • King Radios: -Turn Code Guard into Indent position for Intra-Crew to function properly. • User Selectable Tone Function not recommended. -Manually program tone into each channel. • Interference Issues! -Coordinate frequency use with other Crews on incident. -Recheck programmed frequency in radio. -Code Guard Enabled. -Use assigned tone on both TX and RX. -Recommend using Digital. -Properly Maintain issued radios/most current firmware. • Narrowband/Wideband issues. Check with the COML or (205) on Narrowband assignments, Mostly all federal agencies will be operating on NB. Some State Frequencies will still be on WB.

6. New for 2008 • More tones will be used on Incidents. -Command and Tactical frequencies will be toned on incidents. Repeaters will be toned on the RX Side Tactical frequencies will be toned on both RX/TX side Important to disable User Selectable Tones on radio to minimize confusion. • Other agencies using the Common Use Frequencies. -Forest Service Crews (mostly 163.7125) -Minimize Interference by using assigned tone or NAC. -Recommend using digital for intra-crew. • New P25 Contract due out early next year (Jan 2008)

7. Radio Software Versions Table 1: Current Radio Software Versions To View Radio Software Version: King DPH/GPH: Turn radio ON, Press and Hold “0” key until unit displays version on LCD. EFJ Johnson 51xx/53xx: Turn radio ON, Radio Displays Version # briefly while booting up. Thales/Racal/Datron: Turn Radio ON, Radio displays Version # briefly while booting up. Check NIICD radio web site for most current updates:www.fs.fed.us/fire/niicd/documents

8. Hotshot Radio Maintenance Program • The National Interagency Incident Communications Division (NIICD) has been authorized to provide service to all hotshot radios needing repair/maintenance. -No cost to Home Unit/ NIICD provides all parts and service free of charge. -99% of all repairs can be done in house for BK Models (EPH/DPH/GPH) -No Mobile radios accepted- No Mobile parts available in shop. We can tune or program mobile units to user specifications if needed. -2 week turn around time during winter/off season 2.5 week turn around time during fire season. -Repair Logs are kept on all radios to track history. Contact Info: Kim McCutchan, Maintenance Division NIICD 3833. S. Development Ave. Boise, Idaho 83705 208-387-5856 Or Jose Lopez @ 208-387-5858

9. Antenna Theory • When you transmit from the radio on low power, 2 watts of power goes out of the radio and through the antenna. It is then radiated out into the air to be received by the other end user. • If your antenna is properly tuned, it will radiate all the power sent from the radio. If your antenna is poorly tuned, it will be unable to radiate all the power sent from the radio, some will be reflected back into the radio. A shorted antenna will reflect all the output power back to the radio and in some cases damaging the radio. • Most antennas are tuned to a specific range of frequencies or one specific frequency. • As the users utilize frequencies out of that specific range, the antenna loses it’s maximum operational characteristics and causes power to be reflected or lost on those frequencies. • In order for antenna to radiate properly, it must be free of obstacles and free standing. (example: Using chest harness can absorb some of the antennas radiated signal.)

10. Antenna Theory Cont. Example: 1 Broad-Band Antenna Tuned for 148-174 MHZ VSWR is a reading of how well the antenna is tuned to the frequency you are using. The lower the VSWR, the better. M1= VSWR of 1.0 tuned to maximize operational characteristics at 162.5000Mhz. 2 watt radio produces 2 watts Out the antenna, None or little loss. M2= Frequencies in the 156.0000Mhz range have a VSWR of 2.0, resulting in a 2 watt radio producing 1.78 watts out the antenna, 11.2% power loss. M3= Frequencies in the 169.0000Mhz range have a VSWR of 2.0, resulting in a 2 watt radio producing 1.88 watts out the antenna,. 11.2% power loss. M4= Frequencies in the 174.0000Mhz range have a VSWR of 3.0, resulting in a 2 watt radio producing 1.50 watts out the antenna. 25% power loss. M5= Frequencies in the 150.0000Mhz range have a VSWR of 4.0, resulting in a 2 watt radio producing 1.28 watts on the antenna. 36% power loss.

11. Antenna Theory Cont. Example: 2 Telescoping Antenna Field Tunable M1= VSWR of 1.3 tuned to maximize operational characteristics at 127.2000Mhz. 2 watt radio produces 2 watts Out the antenna, None or little loss. M2= Frequencies in the 139.0000Mhz range have a VSWR of 2.0, resulting in a 2 watt radio producing 1.78 watts out the antenna, 11.2% power loss. M3= Frequencies in the 154.6000Mhz range have a VSWR of 4.0, resulting in a 2 watt radio producing 1.28 watts out the antenna, 36% power loss. M4= Frequencies in the 164.9000Mhz range have a VSWR of 5.0, resulting in a 2 watt radio producing 1.1 watts on the antenna, 45% power loss. M5= Frequencies in the 174.000Mhz range have a VSWR of 6.0., resulting in a 2 watt radio producing 0.9 watts on the antenna, 52% power loss.

12. New Technologies • Wireless Programming Cube: -Silverado Avionics- California -Allows wireless cloning between BK radios. -King Radio Only. -Releasing a Master Cloning Cube to clone between all BK versions.

13. New Technologies Cont. Wireless Speaker Microphone -Freelinc Wireless (www.freelinc.com) -Near Field Magnetic Induction (No Frequency Interference) -Multiple radio Adapter, currently working on King Radio adapter

14. Contact Info Call in at anytime if there are any questions, concerns, or problems. IHC Call-in Number (208)387-5885 POC: Jose Lopez Work: (208)387-5858 Cell: (208)850-8649 E-Mail: joselopez@fs.fed.us or jose_lopez@nifc.blm.gov