User's Manual
Table Of Contents
- Features
- Controls and Display
- General Operation
- Radio-wide Features
- 4.1 Viewing Radio Information
- 4.2 Option Keys / Buttons
- 4.3 Feature Enable / Disable
- 4.4 Menu Mode
- 4.5 Function Recall
- 4.6 Time-Out Timer
- 4.7 Home Channel Select
- 4.8 Power Output Select
- 4.9 Alert Tone Select
- 4.10 Surveillance Mode
- 4.11 Scanning
- 4.12 Global Positioning System (GPS)
- 4.13 Radio Service
- 4.14 RSSI
- 4.15 Fire Ground Mode
- Conventional Mode Features
- 5.1 Monitoring Before Transmitting
- 5.2 Monitor Mode
- 5.3 Busy Channel Lockout
- 5.4 Call Guard Squelch
- 5.5 Penalty Timer
- 5.6 Conversation Timer
- 5.7 Repeater Talkaround
- 5.8 Displaying Transmit / Receive Frequency
- 5.9 Emergency Alarm and Call
- 5.10 Conventional Mode Scanning
- 5.11 Standard Conventional Calls
- 5.12 ANI Signaling Options
- 5.13 Project 25 Mode Features
- 5.13.1 Digital Unit ID
- 5.13.2 Talkgroup ID
- 5.13.3 Network Access Code
- 5.13.4 Out of Range (EFJohnson Conventional) Indication
- 5.13.5 Automatic (EFJohnson Conventional) Registration
- 5.13.6 P25 Group Calls
- 5.13.7 Talkgroup Scan
- 5.13.8 P25 Unit Calls
- 5.13.9 P25 Conventional Telephone Calls
- 5.13.10 Call Alert
- 5.13.11 Call History
- 5.13.12 Messaging
- 5.13.13 Status Messaging
- 5.13.14 P25 Packet Data
- 5.14 Keypad Programming
- 5.15 Text Messaging
- 5.16 Fire Ground Mode
- SmartNet / SmartZone / P25 Trunked Features
- 6.1 Analog and Digital Operation
- 6.2 Standard Group Calls
- 6.3 Unit Calls
- 6.4 Telephone Calls
- 6.5 Call Alert
- 6.6 Messaging
- 6.7 Sending Status Conditions
- 6.8 Emergency Alarm and Call
- 6.9 Failsoft Operation
- 6.10 SmartNet / SmartZone / P25 Trunked Scanning Features
- 6.11 Dynamic Regrouping
- 6.12 SmartZone and P25 Trunking Unique Features
- 6.13 Zone Password
- Messages
- Secure Communication (Encryption)
- Data Features
- Service Information
Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 3-13
General Operation
• If the radio has Soft Power Down mode enabled and the radio gets inhibited, the radio
will ignore the Soft Power Down settings and power off normally.
3.8 Setting Squelch
The user can program a menu item, or function button, for squelch adjust. While on a
conventional analog channel without emergency or scan active, the user can select the
programmed button or menu item for squelch adjust. The current squelch setting will
show on the display. Using the up and down buttons on the portable radio, the user can
adjust the squelch setting to a desired level from -7 to +7. Increasing the value towards +7
causes the squelch to open sooner for weaker signals while decreasing towards -7 has the
opposite effects. Pressing the select button will store the new squelch setting and return
the user to the main display.
The squelch level is preset and may not require readjustment. However, if the squelch
threshold needs to be changed on a conventional analog channel, it can be changed in the
same way as though using keypad programming if available. The squelch level is preset
during alignment. If the keypad programming feature is available (see Section 5.14), the
squelch threshold can be changed by the user on each conventional analog channel.
Note The Keypad Programming feature is available to Federal Government users only.
3.9 Transmit Disable
Transmitting can be disabled on each conventional, SmartNet, SmartZone, and P25
Trunking channel so that the channel is monitor-only. When transmitting is attempted on a
receive-only channel, “Rx Only” is displayed and an error tone sounds. This is
programmed for each radio.
3.10 Operation At Extended Range
When approaching the limits of radio range, the other party may not be able to hear your
transmissions and there may be an increase in background noise when messages are
received. You may still be out of range even though you can hear a message. The reason
for this is that the signal you are receiving is usually transmitted at a higher power level
than the one transmitted by your radio. Communication may be improved by moving to
higher ground or away from shielding objects such as tall buildings or hills.