Vehicular Repeater System (VRS)

November: What is VRS? VRS is short for Vehicular Repeater System – All of the regular Battalion Chiefs’ buggies have the systems installed in them. With a VRS on-site, we can add to existing coverage by bringing a conventional channel to the repeater. The VRS should be used in areas where coverage is weak for portable radios. Be prepared for VRS to be needed anywhere in the County, especially on incidents involving high rise buildings and below grade.

VRS Positives VRS works. VRS enhances radio coverage in areas with reduced regular tower coverage. Radio traffic is transmitted through a repeater that increases output power and acts as a gateway to the trunked radio system for all users to hear. The EB button remains functional. The system can be turned on by any user by activating the EB button on November.

VRS Channel Similar to FDTA (Oscar), 7N (VRS) Direct cannot be heard by ECC unless the VRS is active. When the VRS is active the audio from 7N (VRS) is repeated across the trunked radio system on the selected talkgroup and can be heard by ECC. ZoneNameABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP 7MC MainDISPOPSINC10INC11INC12ANN10INC20INC21INC22ANN20AL7KAL7LAN7MVRSFDTAOPS 71MC ALTDISPOPSINC30INC31INC32ANN30INC40INC41INC42ANN40AL71KAL71LAN71MVRSFDTAOPS 72MC EMSDISPOPSCALLCNSL1CNSL2 INC 50 INC 51 INC 52 ANN 50 INC 60 INC 61 INC 62 ANN 60 VRSFDTAOPS

Where is the VRS Antenna? The VRS antenna is located on the roof of the buggy in front of the light bar.

How Does the VRS Work? First VRS capable Buggy should position facing the structure on Side Alpha. Second VRS capable Buggy should position facing the structure on Side Charlie or opposite the first Buggy. Both VRS radios need to be operating the VRS on the same talkgroup. Users will hear each other on the talkgroup (e.g., 7C); only the VRS user knows which channel (s)he is using.

How Does the VRS Work? User switches to the VRS Channel (Repeat Mode)

How to Switch between Repeat and Direct Modes? The concentric ring switch (the key pad lock/unlock) will enable you to toggle between direct and repeat modes N. Repeat mode is circle with line through and no arrow on screen; direct mode is the open circle and displays an arrow on screen (  ). Concentric Ring Switch Repeat ModeDirect Mode

VRS Radio Head Location in the Buggy The VRS is incorporated in a regular radio head. This radio should be used regularly for fireground talk groups so the VRS can be activated if needed. The VRS button is seen here in yellow.

What Are the VRS Modes? OFF – The system is off and can not be activated remotely. MOB – The system is in standby mode and can be activated remotely. This is the mode the system should be in at all times when not in use. SYS – VRS has been activated. The operating talk group is on in the buggy and the users are on N (Repeat Mode / circle with line through and no arrow on the screen).

MOB – Standby MOB – Standby mode. Once the system is in range the user can use his/her EB button on November to activate the VRS. EB Activations by VRS users will be discussed shortly.

SYS - Activating the VRS SYS mode. The operator has scrolled until this screen is up. The system is now going to become activated. Users on November will hear three beeps. Users will also hear transmit chirps before and after radio transmissions.

OFF - Turning off the system OFF – The system cannot be activated remotely on this mode. Do not leave the system in the OFF mode. Continue to scroll to the MOB mode to leave the VRS in Standby.

ALL OUT Tone Holding the VRS button down for a couple of seconds will activate the “All Out” tone. This is the same tone that ECC sounds when we need personnel to evacuate the building. The IC can use this on the operating talk group if an ECC Operator is not readily available.

What Happens If You Can’t Reach the VRS? User Switches to 7N Direct User Switches to 7N Direct Radio Receives on Direct Mode Like the Scan Feature User Switches back to Repeat

What About the EB? Personnel using the VRS channel ( November) must remember that the EB is not effective unless the VRS is on site. Pressing the EB will activate the VRS (if it is not already running within the incident). Personnel who are out of VRS range (e.g., several floors deep within a parking garage) may not be able to use the EB (because they’re out of range) and should use the radio as if the VRS was not part of the incident.

EB Activation received through VRS The Unit ID of the EB will show up on every radio for about two seconds, then it will default to the closest VRS system that is operating. ECC will announce that the Buggy radio has an activated EB. (i.e. B704 has an activated EB). The VRS radio will display a 4 digit number Regular ID is This is only seen on the VRS radio head.

EB Activation received through VRS ECC and the IC will need to determine who is experiencing an emergency. For true emergencies request a LUNAR from the crew member in trouble. Worst case scenario would be if the crew member is not able to give a LUNAR report. ECC will have to research which unit the radio ID number is assigned.

Resetting the EB The Buggy radio has an activated EB. (e.g., B704 has an activated EB). For true emergencies the EB should not be reset until the radio ID number has been documented. Once mitigated the EB will have to be reset on the Buggy radio head by pushing and holding the red reset button.

How to Determine When to Use N

What Are the Basics to Remember (1 of 2)? Personnel on an incident who cannot transmit normally use FDTA ( Oscar). When the VRS is activated, the Battalion Chief activating it should announce it has been activated, remember VRS will function only on the selected incident talk group. The Concentric Ring Switch allows the user to change between Direct and Repeat mode.

What Are the Basics to Remember (2 of 2)? Personnel who have been using FDTA may switch to the VRS channel ( N) and use the Repeat Mode. They will know they are in Repeat mode (not Direct Mode) because they will not see the direct symbol (->) on their radios and they will hear the transmit chirps. Some personnel may still be out of range (in the extreme cases) and will need to communicate with others on VRS Channel using Direct Mode (similar to FDTA).