Document: DAN-MKT-117 Version 2.0 Transportable Radio Guide Transportable Radio Systems January 7, 2010 www.danelec.com DAN-MKT-117 Transportable Radio System Guide January 7, 2010 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 4 1.1 ABOUT DANIELS ELECTRONICS....................................................................................................... 4 1.2 INTENDED AUDIENCE ...................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 HOW THIS GUIDE WORKS ................................................................................................................. 5 1.4 PURPOSE.......................................................................................................................................... 5 1.5 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS .................................................................................................................. 6 1.6 BENEFITS......................................................................................................................................... 6 2. SECTION 2 – REPEATER BASICS .................................................................................................. 7 2.1 WHAT IS A REPEATER? .................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.1 Simplex Communications........................................................................................................ 8 2.1.2 Duplex Communications......................................................................................................... 8 2.2 HOW DOES A REPEATER WORK?....................................................................................................... 9 2.3 OTHER TYPES OF REPEATERS.......................................................................................................... 9 2.3.1 Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA).............................................................................................. 9 2.3.2 Vehicular Repeater............................................................................................................... 10 2.4 BASE STATIONS............................................................................................................................. 10 2.5 BENEFITS OF A TRANSPORTABLE RADIO ....................................................................................... 10 2.6 COMPONENTS OF A TRANSPORTABLE RADIO ................................................................................ 11 2.6.1 Transmitters and Receivers (TX/RX) .................................................................................... 11 2.6.2 Duplexers.............................................................................................................................. 12 2.6.3 Antenna................................................................................................................................. 13 2.6.4 Enclosure.............................................................................................................................. 14 2.6.5 Power Supply........................................................................................................................ 14 2.7 SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................... 15 2.8 THE TRADE-OFFS OF A PRACTICAL SOLUTION THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS....................................... 15 3. SECTION 3 – REAL WORLD PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS................................... 16 3.1 NO COVERAGE AREA ..................................................................................................................... 16 3.1.1 Temporary Communications during a Forest Fire............................................................... 17 3.1.2 Forest Fire Fighting - Ground to Air Communications ....................................................... 17 3.1.3 Search and Rescue in a remote area .................................................................................... 18 3.1.4 Communications for Natural Resource Exploration ............................................................ 19 3.1.5 Scientific Research in the Antarctic...................................................................................... 20 3.1.6 Vehicle accident in a valley that has poor or inadequate coverage ..................................... 21 3.1.7 Multi Agency Interoperability - Columbine, Colorado......................................................... 22 3.1.8 Multi-Agency Interoperability – Alameda County................................................................ 22 3.1.9 Coverage in Buildings and Tunnels...................................................................................... 23 3.2 EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURES .......................................................................................... 24 3.3 SPECIAL APPLICATIONS................................................................................................................. 25 3.3.1 Secure Undercover Operations ............................................................................................ 25 3.3.2 Forward Observer / Sniper Communications....................................................................... 26 3.3.3 Diplomatic security............................................................................................................... 27 3.3.4 Customs inspection on a vessel............................................................................................. 28 4. SECTION 4 – THE “WORKING” TRANSPORTABLE RADIO................................................. 29 4.1 FEATURES ..................................................................................................................................... 29 4.1.1 Analog vs. P25...................................................................................................................... 29 4.1.2 Encryption ............................................................................................................................ 29 4.1.3 Conventional or Trunked Channels...................................................................................... 30 4.2 TRANSMITTER & RECEIVER (TX / RX).......................................................................................... 30 4.2.1 Transmitter ........................................................................................................................... 30 4.2.2 Receiver ................................................................................................................................ 30 4.2.3 Transceivers ......................................................................................................................... 30 Page 2 of 56 DAN-MKT-117 Transportable Radio System Guide January 7, 2010 4.2.4 Frequency Bands .................................................................................................................. 31 4.3 CALCULATING SYSTEM GAIN AND RANGE.................................................................................... 32 4.3.1 Transmitter Gains................................................................................................................. 32 4.3.2 Receiver Sensitivity............................................................................................................... 32 4.3.3 Antenna Gains ...................................................................................................................... 32 4.3.4 Duplexers.............................................................................................................................. 32 4.3.5 Cable Losses......................................................................................................................... 32 4.3.6 Free Space Loss.................................................................................................................... 33 4.3.7 Obstruction Losses ............................................................................................................... 33 4.3.8 Fade Margin......................................................................................................................... 34 4.3.9 Path Calculation Worksheet................................................................................................. 34 4.4 DUPLEXERS ................................................................................................................................... 35 4.4.1 Isolation................................................................................................................................ 35 4.4.2 How do I provide isolation to the repeater?......................................................................... 36 4.4.3 Duplexer Characteristics...................................................................................................... 37 4.5 ANTENNAS .................................................................................................................................... 39 4.5.1 Radiation Patterns and Types............................................................................................... 39 4.5.2 Antenna Size and Characteristics......................................................................................... 40 4.5.3 Practical Considerations