PRELIMINARY A29798 RML November 2007 First InterComm™ System User Guide www.Firstintercomm.
© 2007 by BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc. reserved.
First InterComm™ System User Guide List of Illustrations ....................................................................................................... iii List of Tables ................................................................................................................ iii Document Change History .......................................................................................... iii Warnings and Precautions ......................................................................
First InterComm™ System User Guide List of Illustrations 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The FICS in Action ............................................................................................... 2 The Incident Area Network (IAN) Expands or Contracts as Needed .................... 3 The FICS Enhanced by the Optional ICTCS ........................................................ 4 Area Geometry or Physical Features Can Affect Talk Range...............................
First InterComm™ System User Guide Warnings and Precautions Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Compliance - This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential environment.
First InterComm™ System User Guide General Precautions • Professional Installation – The VCA100 unit and its antennas must be installed by a qualified, professional installer. o Users must not change the antenna types or their location as you risk voiding the conditions of your FCC license and/or the conditions to which the product has been certified (consult your installer in these cases). • DC Power – Ensure that power into the First InterComm™ System does not exceed 24VDC.
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First InterComm™ System User Guide Welcome to First InterComm™ Networking The First InterComm™ System (FICS) allows first responders from different agencies at an emergency incident to readily communicate with one another, even though their radios operate on different frequencies; i.e., VHF, UHF or 800 MHz systems, both digital and analog. The FICS can accommodate any new communication technologies, including the 700-MHz bandwidth.
First InterComm™ System User Guide • Connectivity with civil and military communications Systems; and • Digital technology which supports radio upgrades. The optional Incident Commander Talkgroup Control Software (ICTCS gives the Incident Commander the option to monitor VCA100 status and control communications using a standard laptop computer with Wi-Fi capability.
First InterComm™ System User Guide jurisdictional communications. This temporary IAN (Figure 2) exists as long as VCA100-equipped vehicles are present, and can expand or contract as first responders enter or leave the area. P25 800 MHz FM VHF 150 MHz FM UHF 450 MHz First First InterComm InterComm IAN IAN FM Low Band 30 MHz P25 800 MHz Figure 2.
First InterComm™ System User Guide First Responders Group A Radio Net 453.95 MHz First Responders Group B Radio Net 154.57 MHz Incident Area Net First InterComm™ VCA100 First InterComm™ VCA100 Incident Commander’s Laptop Computer Figure 3. The FICS Enhanced by the Optional ICTCS Operating the First InterComm™ System Start-Up 1. Apply power to the VCA100 with the cab-mounted switch. 2. Allow approximately one minute for the unit to initialize and connect to any other VCA100s in the area. 3.
First InterComm™ System User Guide Trees/Buildings Weaken Signal Hills/Buildings Can Block Signals Optimal Range: Clear Line of Site! Figure 4. Area Geometry or Physical Features Can Affect Talk Range Signal Relay (Hopping) Figure 5 shows a generalized urban incident site where there is no LOS between vehicles A and D or vehicles B and C. Figure 6 shows a generalized ex-urban incident site where vehicles A and E have no LOS and are considerably farther apart than onequarter mile.
First InterComm™ System User Guide B A D C Figure 5. First InterComm Allows Communication between Vehicles without LOS E A B C D Figure 6.
First InterComm™ System User Guide Troubleshooting IMPORTANT • If the FICS appears to interfere with incident site operations, immediately turn off every VCA unit (and ICTCS if in use) and return to normal operating procedures. • If ICTCS or laptop computer problems occur, the VCA100 units will remain in their assigned Talkgroups. If the laptop or ICTCS is not functional, and communication is needed between all responders, cycle power to all VCA100s.
First InterComm™ System User Guide site. The specific VCA100 model is based on the radio frequencies used by the participating department (see Appendix A).
First InterComm™ System User Guide LMR • • • • GPS Ethernet LMR: GPS: Ethernet: Power: Power Network Activity Indicator 2-way radio antenna connection, TNC. Reserved for future implementation. Factory use only. The VCA100 is permanently mounted in a First Responder vehicle. On/off is a cab-mounted toggle switch. Wireless antenna port A, reverse polarity SMA connector. • Network: • Activity Indicator: Indicator light that is on during boot up. Figure 7.
First InterComm™ System User Guide General Dimensions Weight Input Voltage Input Current Input Power Connector Frequency Transmit Power Connectors • Network • LMR • GPS • Ethernet Environmental • Cooling • Temperature • Humidity • Vibration • Shock Appendix A VCA100 Specifications 3 inches H, 7 inches W, 9 inches D 6 pounds +13.6 Volts DC (nominal) 1.75 A maximum (at 13.
First InterComm™ System User Guide Appendix B Acronyms and Abbreviations ABS AES DC DES DHS EMI FCC FICS FM GPS IAB IAN IC ICTCS LED LMR LOS MIL-STD MIPT NIMS P25 RF SEL SMA SOP TNC UHF VCA VHF VoIP Wi-Fi Antilock Break System Advanced Encryption Standard adopted as standard by U.S.
A29798 November 2007 PRELIMINARY PRELIMINARY
