What Are Talkgroups; Where Do I Go For Help With My Radio; How Does The Computerized Radio System Work - Motorola MTS 2000 Operation Manual

What are Talkgroups? Who's in Which Talkgroup?
A Talkgroup is a connection between a specific group of radios. Each radio unit is
assigned to a "home" Talkgroup based on work groups. During day-to-day or
storm-related activity, System Dispatch may ask radio users to temporarily select
other Talkgroups when the radio unit's user is assigned to work in another area
with a different work group.
For example, when an outage occurs in an area where the assigned line crew is
already working on another problem, System Dispatch may send another line
crew to repair the outage. They will be able to communicate with the other crews
in that area by selecting the other crew's Talkgroup. When the temporary assign-
ment is completed, System Dispatch will ask radio users to switch the radio units
back to their assigned Talkgroups.
For a list of PUD Talkgroups, see Appendix A, B, or C.

Where Do I Go for Help With My Radio?

The Telecommunications Department is responsible for maintaining the Radio
System and the radio units. If your radio is not functioning properly, you need
new batteries, or have questions about radio operation, contact Telecommunica-
tions [Operations Center, 1st floor] at 425-783-5505.

How Does the Computerized Radio System Work?

The Radio System depends on the computer to control and allocate the radio
resources — similar to the District's telephone system that allocates 'trunk lines'
to Verizon so that users can place telephone calls. The Radio System computers
allocate radio channels in a 'trunk line' operation. This makes sure that users get
features and channels when required. It also permits management of the system
to document when expansion is required.
• In the Current System, only Dispatch and mobile units around the area can
hear.
• In the Simulcast system, all radio units within a Talkgroup can hear.
• Simulcast Remote Sites use base stations to connect to the main system.
• The Main and Alternate Computers are housed at the Electric Building.
• Darrington and Index Base Stations are not on the Simulcast System but
can be patched into it by Dispatch when required.
Snohomish County PUD Radio Operations Manual • Rev. 6/03 Section I
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