CDE #58167 ISTOCK.COM/ALENAPAULUS

CARE AND USE OF LAND MOBILE RADIOS Radios are a central component of the public safety communications toolkit. By Michael A. Scales

hen most public safety employees (police, fire, EMS or com- Organized radio service in the United munications) are hired, they must attend some type of acad- States began with the Radio Act of 1912. emy to certify they have the proper knowledge to perform The Federal Radio Commission was cre- ated to help coordinate and regulate the their duties. They spend hours learning to operate weapons, fire use of radio frequencies. The Federal Radio Whoses and pumps, life saving devices or radio/telephone consoles. However, Commission (FRC) was replaced in 1934 by the device (tool) that you, as a responder, will use the most and rely on heavily the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which continues today. When public throughout your career is the one you may be least trained on. These are your safety determined a need in daily opera- radios and communications systems. Field employees are normally issued tion for communications other than word vehicles with radios, portable radios and possibly pagers. The employee should of mouth or paper, it became more innova- tive. Innovations ranged from using a light be aware of the operations and potential dangers that accompany their tools. on community water towers to let the field When you are in a situation where your life or someone else’s life may depend officer know to swing by dispatch/office for on you being able to get a message to another person or dispatch, knowledge a call to using the local AM radio station to | apcointl.org | announce the officer needed to call the office of those communication devices should be second nature.

PSC for a message or information. Public safety

46 communications expanded into single mode agencies, Frequency Advisory Committees were designed and implemented to improve then dual mode transmissions between the (FACs) were created and certified by the FCC LMR service for the agencies’ needs. cars and the office. and each coordinator was assigned its pool Radios are continuing to involve. With Low band radio (30-60 MHz range) was of channels: the need for radios to perform jobs (GPS, the first of many bands authorized for use of PF Fire Service Coordinator messaging, etc.) similar to cellular phones, public safety agencies. Low band had a wide PH Highway Coordinator manufacturers are turning out a computer area coverage with high power radios. Things PP Police / Law Enforcement with a transceiver attached to it. While the have progressed over the years to VHF (150- Coordinator older tube radios were affected by vibration 170 MHz), UHF (450-470 MHz), 800 MHz, PM Medical Coordinator or jarring, these new radios may be affected and now into the 700 MHz band. Antenna PO Forestry / Conservation by strong magnetic fields. Older radios used sizes for the cars get smaller as the frequency Coordinator crystals and the variable electricity into a gets higher. PS Special Emergency Coordinator vacuum tube to help maintain the frequen- Most vehicle antennas are now capable PX Any Public Safety Coordinator cies in the radios (some worked better that of being hidden on detective units while IB Business and Industrial others). Today’s radios, being mostly com- still being the same size as the current These coordinators assist agencies in puter — are programmed the same as any AM/FM radio for the vehicle, or a decal on obtaining the necessary FCC license in order other computer. The solid-state components the windows. Public safety radios started to operate on the designated channel. APCO allow for miniaturization to keep the radio an in two functions and models: transmitter AFC is a certified coordinator for PP and PX appropriate size. But strong magnetic fields and receiver. Transmitters sent the message but can coordinate and gain consent from the near the radios will cause damage or erase out, and receivers heard the message. This other coordinators on all designated chan- programming. As the radio is also a com- required two separate devices at each loca- nels. Agencies must license the frequencies puter, concern has arisen of the possibility tion for proper operation in a two-way mode. they are using and indicate to the FCC the that viruses or hacking of radios could be a This was a space invader of the worst kind in type of devices being used at each location problem for public safety agencies. most vehicles. Most broadcast stations (AM/ being licensed. Note that the number of Mobile and portable radios bring many FM) have the broadcast transmitter located units listed on the license is the total num- hazards into their operation. The antennas in a large field on a tower or roof of a build- ber that can be “online and operational” at for base stations and repeaters are normally ing. Homes and vehicles (later the pocket any one time. This is not the total number of out of reach on the roof of a building or radio) were the receivers. As the technology radios that the agency has in its fleet. This attached to a tower. Vehicle antennas are evolved, the devices were combined into what allows for sharing agreements with other not out of reach of an adult sized person as is known as a transceiver. This device can agencies as needed. The use of repeaters to they are either trunk lid, cowl, glass or roof both receive and broadcast messages. enlarge an area of coverage is most popular mounted on the vehicle. Medium powered Field units consist of remote base loca- with all radio users. Years ago, most agencies radios are normally transmitting in the 45-50 tions such as police/sheriff sub stations, fire could use handheld radios to converse with watt range; high power radios transmit 100- houses, ambulance buildings and other fixed employees throughout their municipality. 125 watts. If the antenna is a “gain” model, locations. A mobile radio with a power sup- With the increased use of Wi-Fi, commercial that wattage could increase twice or three ply and a tower or building antenna is still two-way radio systems and other radio fre- times the output of the radio. Touching the considered a fixed base operation. quency devices the agencies found they could antenna while the radio is transmitting could Today, land mobile radio (LMR) is the no longer communicate without additional cause a severe burn. backbone radio network for most public support. The need for repeaters increased. A portable radio transmits 1 to 7 watts safety agencies. A few agencies have transi- Multicast, simulcast and trunking systems (depending on programming) with the tioned to the computerized digital networks antenna attached to the body of the radio. of long-term evolution (LTE). Mobile radios When a radio is worn, it is usually attached are defined as transceivers mounted in mobile to the operators’ belt or on the front of their command posts, patrol cars, fire trucks, Mobile radios are defined body armor. The human body will absorb ambulances, or other vehicles. Portable as transceivers mounted some RF radiation without damage; however, radios consist of hand-held transceivers, in mobile command the absorption of this radiation is cumulative, pagers and monitoring devices. Most LMR and, if the radio is always on the belt while systems are privately owned and operated posts, patrol cars, fire transmitting, the signal may be absorbed and by the agency licensing the frequencies or trucks, ambulances, or your message may or may not be sent with several agencies as a cooperative agreement. other vehicles. Portable clarity or distance. As the use of the radio frequencies Batteries on your portable radio come in increased, the FRC and later FCC found a radios consist of hand-held many sizes and types: the traditional lead need to have coordination and a dedicated transceivers, pagers and alkaline, the rechargeable nickel cadmium | January/February 2021

spectrum for different types of uses and monitoring devices. (NiCad), and the newer rechargeable lithium PSC

47 ion (li-ion). Labels on the batteries warn quickly and have been known to explode or regularly. The little things in life (like the against shorting the terminals. Nickel cad- cause severe burns. radio that is always there and bothersome) mium batteries developed a memory of use. Don’t grasp a portable radio by the antenna needs to be brought to the forefront of our If you are using NiCad, the longer you leave or use the antenna as a handle or hold in any attention. Always check for damage to your the radio on before you recharge the bat- case. It can damage the antenna and render batteries, antennas and radio cases. What tery, the longer it will last in the field. If you the radio inoperable. Never use your radio for would happen to teenagers without their find cracks in the battery casing, it is best to something it is not designed for. One example is smartphones? Can you imagine your day at ask for a replacement. The contacts on both a door stop — serious damage to the radio could work without a working radio? • the radio and batteries should be clean and occur. When you inspect your radio, look for shiny. Any corrosion on these terminals may damage to the rubber coating on the antennas. Michael A. Scales is a retired cause failure when you need it to perform Mobile and portable communication Communications Administrator/COML the most. If they are dull, a simple pencil devices are an integral part of our public safety from New Mexico. He retired after 27 years eraser works well for removing the oxidation. lives. We are dedicated to washing and waxing in the emergency management communi- Corrosion may require additional cleaners our vehicles, polishing our shoes, and putting cations field, and over 40 years’ experi- for proper removal. Care should be given to patches, badges and flash on our uniforms ence in the fire service. Scales retained his lithium ion (Li-Ion) batteries. Corrosion on to show how proud we are. Law enforcement role with APCO AFC as the local coor- any battery may also indicate the battery officers check their weapons and defensive dinator for the State of New Mexico. He is breaking down and may fail at any time. gear every shift. Fire and EMS personnel check works as an Emergency Management and When these batteries short, they heat up their equipment and mark their checklists Communications Consultant.

CDE EXAM #58167

1) When did organized public safety 4) Portable radios can be used for door 8) Radio licenses are not required by programs begin? blocks. public safety to operate. a. 1900 a. True a. True b. 1912 b. False b. False c. 1934 d. 2000 5) Magnetic fields may affect the 9) Public safety communications operation of your radios. included: 2) APCO AFC is the coordinator mainly a. True a. Lights on towers responsible for what groups? b. False b. Sirens a. PF and PX c. AM Radio broadcasters b. PM 6) The initials of the regulatory d. Transistor radios c. PP and PX agencies for communications are: e. All of the above d. PH and PX a. APCO f. None of the above b. FRC/FCC 3) Mobile radios are normally attached c. FAA 10) Portable radios have power outputs to: d. AARP of: a. Belt or vest a. 5-10 watts b. Backpack 7) The current types of public safety b. 100-125 watts c. Tower radio systems are: c. 1-7 watts d. Vehicle a. FCC and FRC d. 45-50 watts b. HAM and EGGS c. LTE and LMR d. High and Low

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