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NIICD Hotsheet News



4370 Now in Two Boxes
Repeater Toning
Radio Programming Pocket Guides
EF Johnson Handheld Radios
FCC Frequency Incompatibility
Blank Communication System Diagrams
All Aviation Radios to be P25 Digital
Communications Training
Multimode P25 Radio Purchasing
Family Radio Service (FRS)


Reminder

Authority:

Under the authority of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the DOI and USDA have designated specific frequencies nationwide for assignment and use by NIFC to support their all-risk management missions. The radio frequency assignments are Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) release exempt and are to be protected as Sensitive data.

If you have any questions concerning the above, feel free to contact the Communications Duty Officer (CDO) or Stephen Jenkins.


Current Radio Software Versions
(as of 3/17/2008)

Radio Software in Radio Channel Programming Software Radio Tuning Software
BK DPHX 31688543 Version 3.1 N/A
BK EPH N/A Version 1.1.6 N/A
BK EPV/EPU N/A Version 1.1.5 N/A
BK GPH 2F145109 Version 2.5.0 N/A
Daniels "D" N/A Version 1.1 N/A
Daniels "R" N/A Version 2.9.1 N/A
Datron Guardian 7.3 Version 3.2.2.40 N/A
EF Johnson 5113 1.18.15 Version 1.28.0.8 1.1.1.0
EF Johnson 5123 4.4.27 Version 1.28.0.8 2.0.2.3
EF Johnson 5133 1.18.15 Version 1.28.0.8 1.1.1.0
Motorola XTS 2500 N/A R11.00.00 R01.08.12
Motorola XTS 3000 N/A R02.00.00 R01.01.01
Motorola XTS 5000 N/A R07.00.00 R04.01.00
Thales 503 8.3 Version 5.0 N/A

Technisonic TDFM-136

2.2.6 v2.2.1 N/A
Technisonic TFM-138B F14 F14 v1.19 N/A
Technisonic TFM-138B non-F14 anything but F14 N/A (manual programming only) N/A

Most radios display the radio's operating software version when the radio is first turned on.

For Motorola XTS2500, XTS 3000 & XTS 5000:
View software version by: Turn radio on. Press 2nd gray button (it has 2 dots) on left side 5 times. Radio enters service mode. Software is first number displayed. Turn radio off and then on again to reset after checking software version. DO NOT USE your radio until it is reset.

Contact your local radio technician to update your radio's software.

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4370 Now in Two Boxes
There has been a problem this summer shipping 4370 Ground Aircraft Radio/Link kits via commercial air. Airlines no longer take cargo weighing over 100 pounds. Therefore, the NIICD is shipping an accessory box along with the 4370. The first box will contain all parts necessary to use an Aircraft Link even if the second box does not arrive. The second box will contain the guy assembly, external speaker, tent stakes, spare AA batteries, hammer, wrench, screwdrivers, mic, filament tape, flagging, garbage bag, and allen wrench. The NIICD will come up with a more permanent solution after fire season. Contact Ron Thomas for more information. (9/8/08)

Repeater Toning
The NIICD is encouraging all incidents to implement toning on their repeaters and TAC channels. When the COML contacts the CDO for a starter system they will be given a tone for the incident. If more equipment is later requested due to interferance issues on the incident, the CDO will first confirm that the incident is using tones before issuing any more equipment. Contact Kim McCutchan for more information. (3/17/08)

Radio Programming Pocket Guides
The User's Guide now contains Radio Programming Pocket Guides for all the NIICD handheld radios except the XTS 2500. Programming Guides, including the XTS 2500, can be found on the Documents page. Contact Jose Lopez for more information. (3/17/08)

EF Johnson Handheld Radios
The EF Johnson handheld radio will not be fielded this season. Contact Kim McCutchan for more information. (3/17/08)

FCC Frequency Incompatibility
The FCC has begun to issue frequencies that have 7.5 kHz channel spacing. Many analog USFS and DOI radios cannot operate on these new frequencies. See the attached message for more information. Contact Bob Dukart for more information. (doc)(pdf) (7/07)

Blank Incident Radio System Diagrams
The Documents page has blank incident radio system diagrams to assist in the organization of an incidents communication system. (1/07)

All VHF-FM Radios on Aviation Contracts to be P25 Digital by January 1, 2010
An interagency group consisting of operations, technicians, contracting, and management representatives has decided that all interagency aviation radios will be P25 digital compliant by January 1, 2010. Mobile and portable VHF-FM radios, if offered or required by contract, must also be P25 digital compliant. See the interagency implementation policy letter. Contact Frank Smith for more information. (5/07)

Communications Training
COMC, COML, COMT, and multimode (P25) handheld radio training courses are available. Visit the Technical Training page for more information. (1/07)

Multimode (P25) Radio Purchasing
NIICD will purchase only multimode digital radios in the future. Analog radios will be replaced during normal replacement cycles. Contact Steve Jenkins for more information. (1/07)

Family Radio Service Radios
Family Radio Service (FRS) communications equipment cannot be used by anyone associated with federal wildland fire, incidents, or in instances that safeguard human life or property. This applies to agency, military, and contractor personnel. NTIA Manual, section 7.5.8, states: "federal entities may not purchase and operate FRS radios for planned communications operations that safeguard human life or property". Additionally, the Departments of Agriculture and Interior have policies limiting the use of FRS radios. Contact Steve Jenkins for more information. (1/07)

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