8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Contents Contents ........................3 Foreword........................8 Manual Revisions ......................8 Firmware ........................9 Computer Software Copyrights..................9 Document Copyrights ....................9 Disclaimer ........................9 Trademarks .........................9 Commercial Warranty and Service ................10 Notations Used in This Manual ..................11 Declaration of Conformity ..................12 RF Exposure ........................13 Introduction .........................14 Identifying Your DVRS Model ..................15...
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8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide DVRS Modes of Operation ..................32 OFF Mode ..........................32 SYSTEM Mode ........................32 LOCAL Mode ........................33 Selecting DVRS Mode....................33 Selecting DVRS Mode from the Control Head..............33 Strapped DVRS Mode ......................33 Selecting DVRS Channel ..................34 Independent DVRS Channel Change...................
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8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Dynamic Regrouping ....................47 Phone Interconnect ....................47 Adaptive Power Control..................... 47 Audio Buffering......................47 P25 Encryption ......................48 Automatic PSU Revert to Talk Around (TA)............... 48 Digital Outbound Takeover ..................48 Forced Analog Mode....................50 Forced Analog Mode – Summary of Features ............51 Forced Analog DVR Mode With Conventional Analog Mode Selected on MSU ....
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8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Glossary........................67 Index ..........................69 April 2014 Page 6 of 70...
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8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide List of Tables Table 1 DVRS Compatibility Scenarios .................14 Table 2 In-Band DVRS Models ..................15 Table 3 Cross-Band DVRS Models ................15 Table 4 DVRS Features vs Type of PSU...............19 Table 5 DVRS Status Display Messages / Icons ............26 Table 6 DVRS Enabled PSU Models................27 Table 7 DVRS Status Tones (MSU Speaker) ..............
6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Foreword This manual provides User guidelines for all models of the Futurecom Mobexcom P25 Digital Vehicular Repeater (DVR). The DVR is designed to be interfaced to a Remote Mount Motorola XTL 5000 Mobile Subscriber Unit (MSU) with O3 or O5 Control Head or to a Remote Mount XTL 2500 with M5 Control Head.
Any copyrighted computer program contained in the Futurecom products described in this manual may not be copied, reproduced, modified, reverse-engineered, or distributed in any manner without the express written permission of Futurecom.
Futurecom Systems Group, ULC. warrants to the original purchaser all standard products sold by Futurecom Systems Group, ULC. to be free of defects in material and workmanship for one (1) year from the date of shipment from Futurecom Systems Group ULC.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Notations Used in This Manual The following notations will be used throughout the text of this document: NOTE: A clarifying statement that expands on the text that follows. IMPORTANT! An important statement that should be considered and / or implemented in order to achieve adequate equipment operation.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Declaration of Conformity This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
ATTENTION! Futurecom requires the P25 DVRS operator to ensure FCC Requirements for Radio Frequency Exposure are met. The minimum distance between all possible personnel and the body of the DVRS equipped vehicle is specified in the “RF Safety”...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Introduction The P25 DVR allows Portable Subscriber Units (PSU) to be used in areas where only MSU coverage is available and PSU coverage is either intermittent or does not exist at all. Installed in the trunk of a car, fire truck, armored vehicle, ambulance or configured as a Transportable or Fixed mount DVR, the P25 DVRS extends radio communications when the PSU users are outside of the vehicle, inside a nearby building or in any portable radio marginal coverage areas.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Identifying Your DVRS Model Frequency Band of Operation Depending on the frequency band of operation of the MSU and the interfaced DVR, the DVRS models are classified as follows: In-Band – when the MSU and DVR operate in the same frequency band. ...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide DVRS Mounting Arrangement Side-By-Side DVRS Side-By-Side mounting is the standard option for vehicular type installations. The Cross- Band DVRS package includes a DVR Repeater and Duplexer Enclosure, mounted on one side and a Remote Mount MSU mounted next to the DVR. Figure 1 Typical Cross-Band DVRS Layout The In-Band models are comprised of a DVR Repeater and its associated filtering shelves mounted on one side, a model-specific in-band filtering shelf (shelves) mounted...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Figure 3 Typical In-Band DVRS Layout - 700 or 800 MHz Transportable DVRS The Transportable DVRS is packaged in a durable suitcase and includes all necessary electronics and filtering. The Transportable unit can be easily deployed in the field and is powered up either by plugging into an AC outlet or by using an optional battery backup kit.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide DVRS Operation Basics IMPORTANT! The Operation of the DVRS is determined by the following: Firmware Options and Programming settings of the DVR (DVR personality). Firmware Options and Programming settings of the XTL 2500 / XTL 5000 interfaced to the DVR.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide DVRS Features by PSU Type When the PSU User is out of System Radio Coverage, the PSU can be switched to a dedicated DVR channel so that the PSU can communicate via the DVRS. The features available to the PSU User depend on the PSU type, programming and selected mode.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Powering up the DVRS The DVR powers up together with the MSU. The Power up Mode and Channel are programmable. Depending on the programmed personality, the DVR can power up in one of the following states: ...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Turning ON the DVRS When the MSU is powered up, the DVRS can be activated by one or more of the methods described in the following section. The DVR is ON when SYSTEM (or optionally LOCAL) Mode of operation is selected. The DVR is OFF when OFF Mode is selected on the O3/O5/M5.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Remote Activation of the DVRS Via Call Alert (Page) to DVR NOTE: This feature requires the use of a P25 PSU and implies Digital DVRS Mode of operation. To remotely activate a DVR, the PSU user can send a Call Alert (Page) with the ID of the specific DVR.
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8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide rest of the system subscriber units without any danger of unintentionally switching a DVRS mode. In both cases, Dispatcher sends a Call Alert (Page) to a specific MSU ID, which in turn causes DVR mode change in the following order: OFF-SYS-LOC-OFF with each received Page.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Turning OFF the DVRS Deactivating the DVRS via the MSU Control Head Do the following: Execute single presses of the VRS Menu Item (Softkey) until OFF Mode is displayed Select a ‘DVR Disabled’ TG / Mode / Zone ...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Automatic DVRS Deactivation AVRA If the DVR is in the SYSTEM or LOCAL Mode and the AVRA VIP input is de-asserted, the DVR can be programmed to automatically switch to OFF Mode. If the DVR is in the OFF Mode, de-asserting the AVRA VIP will not result in any change. The method of de-asserting the AVRA VIP depends on the actual installed AVRA trigger.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide DVRS Status Display The following O3/O5 Display Icons / Messages relate to the DVRS operation: O5 DISPLAY ICON / DVRS STATUS DESCRIPTION MESSAGE Steady V R DVR is in a Primary State Primary DVR Receiving Steady Primary DVR Transmitting Steady...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide DVRS Enabled PSUs The following Portable Radios have enhanced firmware that allows enhanced communications with the DVR and support of an extended list of features. PSU Models that can be ‘DVRS Enabled’ PSU Firmware Revision Required 1500 R9.00.00 and higher Note: It is highly recommended to always use...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide DVRS Status Tones DVRS Status Tones - MSU Speaker The following DVRS Specific Tones will be heard in the MSU Speaker under the circumstances described below: TONE TYPE TONE NAME DVRS STATUS Short high-pitched tone VRS Button Press Indicates a valid VRS Button press during DVRS Selection Mode.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide DVRS Status Tones - PSU P25 ‘DVRS Enabled’ PSU The following DVRS-only specific tones are available (if programmed) in the P25 PSU: TONE TYPE TONE NAME DESCRIPTION Series short Go Ahead System DVRS system mode talk permit tone, clear beeps (clear) voice...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Conventional Analog PSUs The DVR in analog mode can be configured to send the following tones to the analog PSUs: TONE TYPE TONE NAME DESCRIPTION Beep Encrypted Call Sent to Local Analog PSUs when the MSU is receiving Encrypted Call.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide ‘DVRS Enabled’ Mobile Radio TGs / Channels DVR Operation may be enabled (by the DVR and MSU programming) on selected Mobile Radio Talk Groups / Channels and disabled on others. When the User selects a DVRS Enabled TG / Channel on the O3/O5/M5 Control Head, the DVR Operation is enabled in the following manner: ...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide DVRS Modes of Operation When a “DVRS Enabled” TG / Channel is selected on the O3/O5/M5 Control Head, the DVR can be switched to one of the following Modes – OFF, LOCAL or SYSTEM. OFF Mode ACTIVITY OFF MODE ACTION...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide LOCAL Mode ACTIVITY LOCAL MODE ACTION O3/O5/M5 Display VR LOC <DVR CH Name> DVRS Active Tones If programmed, a short high-pitched ‘DVR Enabled’ tone is repeated every few seconds (5-255 sec. programmable) in the MSU Speaker regardless Primary...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide If Mode change by the User is prohibited in the specific DVRS personality, the User can only select between the ‘Strapped’ (either LOCAL or SYSTEM) and OFF DVR Modes. Selecting DVRS Channel When a ‘DVRS Enabled’ TG / Channel is selected on the MSU, the User may enter the ‘DVRS Control Mode’...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Primary / Secondary DVR Basics In order to prevent interference and loss of communications when more than one active DVRS are present at the same location and tuned to the same DVR Channel, a sophisticated simulcast prevention algorithm is employed to ensure only one DVRS repeats radio communications on the same DVR frequency at the same time.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide The Primary / Secondary Status of a DVR is re-evaluated every time one of the following takes place: Change of DVR Channel Frequency Change of DVR Mode Remote Activation of another DVR ...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide MSU Scan When the MSU is programmed (recommended) to suspend SCAN when DVR is ON, the following SCAN scenarios are possible: If the DVR is in the SYSTEM or LOCAL Mode and the MSU User presses the SCAN button on the Control Head he /she hears an invalid button press tone and the SCAN function does not become active.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide P25 Digital Mode This Chapter provides details on the DVRS Digital P25 Mode of operation. The P25 Digital Mode assumes the following: 5000 MSU with O3 or O5 Programmed for DVRS Operation 2500 MSU with M5 Programmed for DVRS Operation ...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Digital Mode – Summary of Features Digital DVR Mode With P25 Trunking Mode Selected on MSU FEATURE OFF Mode SYSTEM Mode LOCAL Mode DVRS Status Display on VR OFF <DVR CH> VR SYS <DVR CH> VR LOC <DVR CH>...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Digital DVR Mode With P25 Conventional Mode Selected on MSU FEATURE OFF Mode SYSTEM Mode LOCAL Mode DVRS Status Display on VR OFF <DVR CH> VR SYS <DVR CH> VR LOC <DVR CH> the O5 / O3 / M5 PSU Affiliation Talk Group Proxing / Translation...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide PSU Affiliation When a Local P25 PSU User selects a DVR Enabled TG, the Local PSU is affiliated via an active Primary DVRS if: The DVR is programmed for Digital (or Mixed) mode on the selected DVR channel. ...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide If the selected TGs are not matched (and proxing is enabled), the outbound audio will be heard in the MSU speaker only if the HUB feature is enabled and the MSU microphone is OFF hook. Outbound Private Call An affiliated System User can make a Private Call to a Local affiliated PSU through an active DVRS.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide PSU can stay on the same TG / mode and if the MSU TG is set to TG A, the Local PSU talks / receives TG A, when the MSU TG is changed to TG B then the Local PSU receives / talks on TG B etc.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide If a DVRS is in the OFF Mode when it receives an Emergency from a Local PSU, the DVR will switch to System Mode after the ‘Attempts Counter’ is exceeded, affiliate the PSU and process the Emergency to the System. The PSU Emergency attempts counter must be programmed to be equal to the DVRS ‘Attempts Counter’...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Remote Steering via Call Alert Page to DVR A Local PSU User can send a Call Alert (Page) to a specific DVRS and execute a remote change of the following: DVR Mode – from OFF or LOCAL to SYSTEM ...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide IMPORTANT! Remote change of MSU TG has no effect on the operation of the rest of the PSUs in the area when TG Proxing allowing multiple TG operation is enabled. However, if the PSU remotely steers the MSU to a conventional channel, other PSU users will loose trunking system access.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide it. The above indication is only available on ‘DVRS Enabled’ PSUs and is not available to Generic P25 PSUs when using the DVRS. Radio Check / Inhibit Radio Check and Radio Inhibit functions are passed through the DVRS to the Local PSU when the DVRS is in the SYSTEM or LOCAL mode.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide P25 Encryption The DVRS transparently passes the P25 encryption algorithms used by the subscriber and fixed network equipment. The DVRS can translate TG IDs (when TG Translation is enabled), however it can not translate encryption keys. Call From Receiving Receiving...
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8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide of the outbound call. This example assumes that the PSU is ‘DVRS Enabled’. If a Generic PSU is used, the PSU will transmit even when a deny is received and the DVR will repeat locally the Generic PSU inbound call. The MSU will continue to receive the outbound call from the system and the system audio will be heard on its speaker.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Forced Analog Mode Forced Analog Mode is a hybrid mode in which the communications between the DVRS and the ‘DVRS Enabled’ P25 PSU are digital, while the voice communications are forced to be analog when the MSU has a non-P25 Mode selected. When a P25 Mode is selected on the MSU, the DVR operates in Digital Mode (P25 Digital voice and signaling).
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Forced Analog Mode – Summary of Features Forced Analog DVR Mode With Conventional Analog Mode Selected on This mode is supported on ‘DVRS Enabled’ PSUs ONLY. FEATURE OFF Mode SYSTEM Mode LOCAL Mode DVRS Status Display on the VR OFF <DVR CH>...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Forced Analog DVR Mode With 3600 Trunking Mode Selected on MSU This mode is supported on ‘DVRS Enabled’ PSUs only. FEATURE OFF Mode SYSTEM Mode LOCAL Mode DVRS Status Display on the VR OFF <DVR CH> VR SYS <DVR CH>...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Analog Mode This Chapter provides details on the DVRS Analog Mode of operation. The Analog Mode assumes the following: 5000 MSU with O3 or O5 Programmed for DVRS Operation OR XTL 2500 MSU with M5 Programmed for DVRS Operation. ...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Analog Mode – Summary of Features Analog DVR Mode With P25 Trunking Mode Selected on MSU The operation described below assumes a DVR Analog Mode channel and P25 Talk Group is selected on the DVR and MSU respectively. FEATURE OFF Mode SYSTEM Mode...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Analog DVR Mode With P25 Conventional Mode Selected on MSU The operation described below assumes a DVR Analog Mode channel and Conventional P25 Channel is selected on the DVR and MSU respectively. FEATURE OFF Mode SYSTEM Mode LOCAL Mode DVRS Status Display on...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Analog DVR Mode With Conventional Analog Mode Selected on MSU The operation described below assumes a DVR Analog Mode channel and Conventional Analog Channel is selected on the DVR and MSU respectively. FEATURE OFF Mode SYSTEM Mode LOCAL Mode DVRS Status Display on...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Analog DVR Mode With 3600 Analog or Digital Trunking Mode Selected on The operation described below assumes a DVR Analog Mode channel and 3600 Analog or Digital Trunking Mode is selected on the DVR and MSU respectively. FEATURE OFF Mode SYSTEM Mode...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Inbound Call When a Local PSU User switches to the selected DVR Analog Channel, he / she can communicate with: Other PSU users which have the same DVR Analog channel selected on their radios and which are within the radio coverage range of the active Primary DVR.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Portable Priority Interrupt (PPI) When PPI is enabled (analog SIMPLEX DVR channels only), base-to-portable outbound calls are periodically interrupted so the DVR can search for a LPSU transmission and give the LPSU transmission higher priority over the system outbound call. This interruption may be heard on the LPSU as a ‘clicking’...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide IMPORTANT! MDC PTT ID pass through is not supported by the DVRS. Audio Buffering Audio buffering is supported by the DVRS in order to eliminate loss of messages / parts of messages due to the inherent delays associated with acquiring system access. Remote DVRS Activation via DTMF The Local PSU may be programmed to remotely activate the DVR by switching it from OFF or LOCAL to SYSTEM mode by sending a pre-programmed DTMF sequence.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide P25 Encryption in Analog Mode If the MSU is receiving a P25 Encrypted Outbound call while the DVRS is operating on an Analog Channel, the DVRS can be programmed to do one of the following: ...
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Mixed Mode Mixed DVR mode allows Analog DVR operation by switching between Digital and Analog modes as described below. The use of Mixed mode for Analog DVRS communications is not recommended since it requires special User Training. Mixed DVR mode should only be used when both analog and digital PSUs are required to operate on the same DVR channel.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Special Features Support Fireground Signaling The DVR can be programmed to repeat locally (when used in the Full-Duplex mode) Fireground Signaling sent by the Local PSUs to a Fireground terminal located within the DVR range at the same incident scene. Fireground signaling support can be enabled (by DVR programming) on either Analog or Digital DVR channels and requires the use of Fireground-enabled Local PSUs.
If the Control Head displays alternating VR ERROR and Error Code (RC ERROR XXXX or RF ERROR XXXX), turn the DVRS off and then back on. If it does not correct the condition, contact Futurecom to obtain an RMA. “MAINTENANCE MODE REMOTE DEVICE” on the control head may indicate that the Mobile Radio Control Head needs to be flash upgraded or that the XTL5000 transceiver is not powered up.
8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Contact Information Technical Support 905-660-5548 support@futurecom.com Orders Please contact Motorola / Drop Ship Return Authorizations 1-800-701-9180 Head Office and Manufacturing 3277 Langstaff Rd Concord, Ontario L4K 5P8 Canada 905-660-5548 www.futurecom.com April 2014 Page 66 of 70...
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8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Glossary Acknowledgement of communications. Automated VR / DVR Activation. DVR Option which permits automated activation of the DVR, typically triggered by AVRA removing the portable from the charger (ON) and placing it back in (OFF). A group of characteristics, such as transmit / receive Channel frequency pairs, radio parameters, encryption encoding etc.
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8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Inbound Call A call transmitted by Local PSU and received by the DVR. DVR Mode which provides extended portable-to-portable voice and data range by repeating Local PSU (optionally MSU) Local Mode communications without keying up the Mobile radio interfaced to the DVR.
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8A083X20 Rev. 16 6881013Y38-P User’s Guide Index Activating the DVRS via the Control Head .....21 Local Mode .............. 33 Adaptive Power Control ...........47 Local Mode Indication ..........46 Analog Mode ............53 Audio Buffering............47 Automatic DVRS Activation (AVRA) .....21 Mixed DVRS Mode ..........62 MSU Mic PTT............
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