Operation Manual

OM-E 2072-09287-00
C-8
C-7. USING THE MULTINET FEATURE
Normally, a radio operating in the ALE mode receives and transmits only in its currently selected net.
However, there are operational scenarios in which it is beneficial to enable radios to use the ALE
functions while still being aware of what is going on in additional nets (for example, firefighters and
paramedics must often respond to the same emergency), and be able of answering a call in another net.
For this purpose, Micom Pathfinder radios offer the MultiNet feature.
When the MultiNet feature is enabled, a Micom Pathfinder radio can operate on multiple nets (up to
20). The operating characteristics then change as follows:
• Channels: each net has a group of assigned (receiving and associated transmitting) frequencies.
The radio scans the channels in one net after the other, until all the nets have been scanned.
• Station addresses (the self-address and the net address used when responding to calls): the radio
responds according to the self-address assigned to the station in its currently selected net (for a
total of up to 20 self-addresses).
• Sounding: each radio sends soundings only within the currently selected net. Each radio scans
all the channels in the currently selected net, one by one. Sounding is started 10 minutes after
the unit is switched on. The sounding group interval is determined according to the programmed
Sounding Auto Time.
During operation, the Micom Pathfinder radio scans all the frequencies included in the defined nets:
• When the radio receives a call, it responds with the self-address that is programmed in the radio
for that net.
• When initiating a call, you select the net you want to transmit to, and then select an address (a
specific station, or any other type of address you wish to use). The radio then looks up the
frequencies that are associated with the station you call and uses only those frequencies to call
that station.
• LQA exchanges and sounding use only frequencies associated with the currently selected net.
Note that the time needed to scan multiple nets may be rather long, even when using the rather fast 5
channels/second scan rate. Moreover, the duration of a call set up request must also be long enough to
ensure that your call reaches all the relevant nets. You can use the MaxScanCh parameter (an ALE
programming option) to change the duration: the default, when AUTO is selected, is about 7 seconds;
however you can select a different value, in the range of 1 to 59 seconds. Make sure to use the
minimum value that ensures all the nets will hear your call set up request, because long durations are
very disruptive.
C-8. MESSAGES
The ALE enables you to create, send or receive alphanumeric messages (“paging” messages) in
accordance with the AMD (Automatic Display Message) definition in Federal Standard FS-1045.
The messages are displayed on the receiving station LCD display, and can be up to 90 characters long.
Messages can be added to any type of call, whether individual, group, net, AllCall, AnyCall,
bidirectional handshake, etc. You can create up to 12 messages, and can edit or erase any of the
messages at any time.
C-9. USING THE CALLER STACK
The caller stack is an internal memory that stores a list of unanswered calls. Each stack entry contains
the self address of the calling station and a message (AMD) if any was sent. You can view the list,
return a call and view any message sent with any call.
The stack can contain up to 10 calls. The radio records an address in the stack only once even if the
same caller makes repeated unanswered calls. However, if the same caller sent calls with different
messages, all such calls will be saved in the stack. Each stack entry is referred to as a Page.
The appearance of the word STAK next to one of the function buttons of the LCD display indicates