Operating Manual

March 2008 5100 ES Models II/III Portable Radio Operating Manual 3-13
General Operation
3.9 Radio Operating Modes
Each selectable channel can be programmed for the conventional (analog or APCO
Project 25 digital), SMARTNET/SmartZone, or APCO Project 25 digital trunked
operating mode. For example, Zone 1/Channel 1 could be a conventional channel, Zone 1/
Channel 2 a SMARTNET channel, and so on. More information on these modes follows.
3.9.1 Conventional Mode
This is a non-trunked operating mode which accesses independent radio channels. There is
no automatic access to several channels. Selecting a conventional channel selects a
transmit and receive frequency and other channel parameters such as squelch control
coding.
Conventional channels can be either standard (analog) or Project 25 (digital). With digital
operation, the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) converts the audio signal to digital data.
Another difference is that analog channels use Call Guard (CTCSS/DCS) squelch control
and Project 25 channels use a Network Access Code (NAC) and talk group ID codes.
With Project 25 operation, a NAC is transmitted and it must match the NAC programmed
in the base equipment and the radio(s) being called for communication to occur. In
addition, to receive standard group calls, the receiving radio must be programmed to
detect the transmitted talk group ID code.
With conventional operation, a busy channel condition is detected automatically if the
busy channel lockout (transmit disable on busy) feature is programmed. Otherwise, it must
be detected manually. An out-of-range condition is not indicated by special tones or
messages as with SMARTNET operation because there is no initial data exchange with
the repeater that allows this condition to be detected. Operating features unique to
conventional channels are described in Section 5.
3.9.2 SMARTNET / SmartZone Mode
This is a trunked operating mode in which automatic access is provided to several RF
channels. ID codes are used to select what radios are being called and what calls are
received. Monitoring is performed automatically and special messages and tones indicate
busy and out-of-range conditions.
SMARTNET and SmartZone operation and programming is very similar. Basically,
SMARTNET operation is limited to a single repeater site and SmartZone operation allows
automatic roaming between sites. Enhanced SMARTNET/SmartZone features include
roaming (SmartZone only), telephone, private, and emergency calls, Call Alert
™
, and
messaging. Either analog or digital signaling may be used (digital is optional).