Avtec Scout NENA User manual

Revision 8
Part Number 9904-330-2303
This document is confidential.
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Scout™
Configuration Guide
NENA/Deskset for
Hardware Media
Workstation

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Copyright © 2021 by Avtec, LLC. All rights reserved.
This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright. No
part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Avtec, LLC.
Scout™, VPGate™, Outpost™, Outpost Plus™, Frontier™, Audio Bridge™, Avtec SIP
Proxy™, ScoutLink™, DSPatch, DSPatchNET, and CommScape™ are trademarks of
Avtec, LLC. All other brands and their products are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders and should be noted as such.
Copyright © 2003 GoAhead Software, Inc. All rights reserved.
The material in this document is for information only and is subject to change
without notice. While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of
this document to assure its accuracy, Avtec, LLC assumes no liability resulting from
errors or omissions in this document, or from the use of the information contained
herein. Avtec, LLC reserves the right to make changes in the product design
without reservation and without notification to its users.
COMPANYINFORMATION Avtec, LLC
100 Innovation Place
Lexington, SC 29072
USA
Release Date November 2020
Revision 8
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Contents
Introduction 1
NENARadio/Telephone Headset Interface 1
Installing the Jack Box 2
Software Configuration 2
Configuring an 1101 Jack Box 2
Configuring a 12xx/50xx Jack Box 4
Configuring the External Audio Interface 6
Configuring the Endpoint for the E911 Deskset 7
Creating a Line Pad for an E911 Deskset Endpoint 8
Using an E911 Deskset 10
Appendix A: What Does it Mean to be NENA-Compliant? 11
Appendix B:Understanding the Physical Connections 12
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Introduction
NENARadio/Telephone Headset Interface
NOTE
This guide is for the Hardware Media Workstation. See Avtec's USBNENAJack Box Configuration Guide for
information on configuring the USBNENA Jack Box for the Software Media Workstation.
The Scout Radio/Telephone Headset Interface provides connectivity and control signaling between the Scout console
and a NENA compliant external E911 phone for Hardware Media Workstation configurations.
Configuring the interface for an E911 Radio/Telephone phone set allows a dispatcher to receive telephone audio from
an E911 Radio/Telephone phone through their Scout console headset, essentially using their headset for both
telephone and radio communications when the telephone system is accessed via an E911 phone.
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Installing the Jack Box
Connectors located on the rear of the Media Workstation Plus provide for headset jack boxes, desktop microphone,
dual or single footswitches, select and unselect speakers, call recorders, and a connection for four auxiliary control
relays.
NOTE
The Avtec USBNENAJack Box's NENAport does not presently support receiving sidetone from external devices
that generate sidetone.
To install a jack box:
1. Plug the connector into any AP Port Type I port on the Media Workstation Plus.
2. From the Console Configuration webpage, select Audio Devices.
The Audio Devices page displays.
3. Click Add to add and configure available jack boxes.
Software Configuration
After installing the hardware components, you must perform a series of software configuration steps to enable the jack
box and external audio interface. This configuration occurs in Scout Manager, as well as on the Avtec Hardware Media
Workstation Jack Box and Hardware media Workstation External Audio Interface webpages.
Complete the following tasks to configure the specific settings that allow the jack box to operate with Scout. The
sections that follow provide instructions for performing these tasks.
1. Configuring an 1101 Jack Box
2. Configuring a 12xx Jack Box
3. Configuring the External Audio Interface
4. Configuring the Endpoint for the E911 Deskset
5. Creating a Line Pad for an E911 Deskset Endpoint
Configuring an 1101 Jack Box
Perform the following steps to add and configure an 1101 series jack box using Scout Manager:
1. Access Scout Manager > Console Configuration webpage > Audio Devices tab.
2. In the New Device dropdown, select 1101 Jack Box.
3. Click Add.
The 1101 jack box configuration page displays.
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4. In the Jack Box Name field, enter a name for the jack box. The name is used to identify this jack box from other
audio devices configured on this console.
5. Under the AP Port Settings section, from the AP Port dropdown, assign a port where this jack box connects to
the back of the media workstation.
For more information, see "Assigning an AP Port or Network Connection to a Console" in the Scout Manager
Online Help.
6. In the Input Gain (dB) field, enter the amount of gain that Scout should add to the audio coming from the jack
box to the media workstation. Range: –30 to 30 dBm. Default: 0.
7. From the VAGC dropdown, select whether to enable the Voice Automatic Gain Control for the jack box.
For more information, see "Configuring an Audio Device's VAGC" in the Scout Manager Online Help.
NOTE
Voice Automatic Gain Control (VAGC) helps separate transmit voice audio from noise audio to improve
voice clarity. For example, when VAGC is enabled, audio from a soft spoken dispatcher and audio from a
loud dispatcher each present more consistent audio to the field.
8. If VAGC is set to ENABLED, from the Noisy Environment Compensation dropdown, select whether to enable this
setting to improve VAGC performance in a noisy dispatching environment.
9. In the Output Level (dB) field, enter the level of the audio coming from the media workstation to the jack box.
Range: –40 to 0 dBm. Default: –10.
10. From the On-Hook Switch dropdown, select ENABLED to indicate that a hook is connected to and used on this
jack box. Default: DISABLED.
11. Under the Device Settings section, in the Microphone Level field, enter a value to indicate the level of
adjustment for the microphone audio output from the jack box to the workstation. Range: 0 to 255. Default: 40.
12. In the Compression Ratio field, enter an amount to strengthen weak microphone audio and bring it to a normal
level. Adjusting the Compression Ratio from 0 to 255 increases the normal linear audio values. Default: 0.
13. In the Maximum Ear Level field, enter the loudest level of audio that the jack box produces by adjusting the
volume knob on the jack box. Range: 0 to 255. Default: 70.
14. From the Minimum Ear Level dropdown, select the lowest level of audio that the jack box produces by adjusting
the volume knob on the jack box. Range: 0 to 255. Default: 0.
15. In the Sidetone Level (dB) field, enter the audio level of the sidetone which allows the dispatcher to hear the
dispatcher's own voice in the headset during a conversation. This setting is an attenuation of the microphone
level. Range: –71 to 0 dBm. Default: –35.
16. From the PTT Signal dropdown, enable or disable PTT signaling from a handset/headset attached to the jack box.
PTT signaling should be disabled for a 4-wire handset/headset. Default: ENABLED, indicating you are using a 6-
wire interface.
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17. Under the Audio Routing section, in fields SELECT through UNSELECT10, select the channels where the jack box
receives audio.
For more information, see "Configuring Audio Routing" in the Scout Manager Online Help.
18. In the External IRRPlayback field, select YES or NO to indicate if the jack box should receive audio from
external instant recall recorders when in playback mode. Default: NO.
19. In the Ringtones field, select OFF,PRIMARY, or SECONDARY to indicate if this jack box is the primary or
secondary location for ringtones or if no ringtones should occur. Default: OFF.
20. If Ringtones is set to PRIMARYor SECONDARY, in the Ringtones Attenuation (dB) field, enter a value to indicate
the number of decibels to lower the ringtone audio. Range: 0 to 71. Default: 10.
21. In the Other AP Type I Microphones field, select YES or NO to indicate if this jack box should receive transmit
audio from other Type I microphones. Default: NO.
22. If Other AP Type I Microphones is set to YES, in the Other Microphone Attenuation (dB) field, enter a value to
indicate the number of decibels to lower the microphone's audio. Range: 0 to 71. Default: 10.
23. Click Add or Update to save your configuration settings.
Configuring a 12xx/50xx Jack Box
Perform the following steps to add and configure a 12xx series or 50xx series jack box using Scout Manager:
1. Access Scout Manager > Console Configuration webpage > Audio Devices tab.
2. In the New Device dropdown, select 12xx/50xx Jack Box.
3. Click Add.
The 12xx/50xx Jack Box configuration page displays.
4. In the Jack Box Name field, enter a name for the jack box. The name is used to identify this jack box from other
audio devices configured on this console.
5. Under the AP Port Settings section, from the AP Port dropdown, assign a port where this jack box connects to
the back of the media workstation.
For more information, see "Assigning an APPort or Network Connection to a Console" in the Scout Manager
Online Help.
6. In the Input Gain (dB) field, enter the amount of gain that Scout should add to the audio coming from the jack
box to the media workstation. Range: –30 to 30 dBm. Default: 3.
NOTE
Scout adjusts transmit audio coming into the media workstation from the jack box by the Input Gain (dB)
value. This setting raises the volume of the dispatcher's audio to the field. Use this setting in conjunction
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with the Microphone Sensitivity setting to configure transmit audio. Adjust the Microphone Sensitivity to
achieve audio quality and then Input Gain to add volume. Too much Input Gain, however, can cause audio
to be distorted.
7. From the VAGC dropdown, select whether to enable the Voice Automatic Gain Control for the jack box.
For more information, see "Configuring an Audio Device's VAGC" in the Scout Manager Online Help.
NOTE
Voice Automatic Gain Control (VAGC) helps separate transmit voice audio from noise audio to improve
voice clarity. For example, when VAGC is enabled, audio from a soft spoken dispatcher and audio from a
loud dispatcher each present more consistent audio to the field.
8. If VAGC is set to ENABLED, from the Noisy Environment Compensation dropdown, select whether to enable this
setting to improve VAGC performance in a noisy dispatching environment.
9. In the Output Level (dB) field, enter the level of the audio coming from the media workstation to the jack box.
Range: –40 to 0 dBm. Default: –10.
10. From the On-Hook Switch dropdown, select ENABLED to indicate that a hook is connected to and used on this
jack box. Default: DISABLED.
11. Under the Device Settings section, in the Microphone Sensitivity field, set the microphone pick up level in the
jack box. Range: 0 to 15. Default: 0.
NOTE
A more sensitive setting (15) picks up a wider range of audio than a less sensitive setting (0). Consider
turning the Microphone Sensitivity down to a lower number if the audio is too loud or distorted when
received in the field. Conversely, consider turning this setting up to a higher number if the audio seems too
low in the field. This setting applies to transmit audio and helps add clarity by helping to normalize
differences that could occur because of physical distance to the microphone or differences in voice quality.
For example, a dispatcher who uses a desk microphone but turns away from it frequently, taking the voice
audio "off axis," can benefit from a higher setting. Use in conjunction with the Input Gain setting: Adjust the
Microphone Sensitivity to achieve audio quality and then Input Gain to add volume.
12. From the Microphone Boost dropdown, select 20 dB to increase the level you set in the Microphone Sensitivity
setting by 20 dB. Default: NONE.
NOTE
The Microphone Boost setting works in conjunction with the Microphone Sensitivity setting to increase the
gain, if necessary. When set to NONE, this Microphone boost is off, and the audio passes through without
changes. Choosing 20 dB turns this feature on and gives the audio 20 dB of gain. This feature is most often
used for headset audio; use caution when configuring for a handset.
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13. In the Maximum Ear Level field, enter the loudest level of audio that the jack box produces by adjusting the
volume knob on the jack box. Range: 0 to 15. Default: 12.
14. From the Minimum Ear Level dropdown, select the lowest level of audio that the jack box produces by adjusting
the volume knob on the jack box. Range: 1 to 5. Default: 1, indicating this is the lowest level.
15. In the Sidetone Level (dB) field, enter the audio level of the sidetone which allows the dispatcher to hear the
dispatcher's own voice in the headset during a conversation. This setting is an attenuation of the microphone
level. Range: –71 to 0 dBm. Default: –35.
16. From the LED Brightness dropdown, select brightness of the LED on the front of the jack box. Default: DIM.
17. From the PTT Signal dropdown, enable or disable PTT signaling from a handset/headset attached to the jack box.
PTT signaling should be disabled for a 4-wire handset/headset. Default: ENABLED, indicating you are using a 6-
wire interface.
18. Under the Audio Routing section, in fields SELECT through UNSELECT10, select the channels where the jack box
receives audio.
For more information, see "Configuring Audio Routing" in the Scout Manager Online Help.
19. In the External IRRPlayback field, select YES or NO to indicate if the jack box should receive audio from
external instant recall recorders when in playback mode. Default: NO.
20. In the Ringtones field, select OFF,PRIMARY, or SECONDARY to indicate if this jack box is the primary or
secondary location for ringtones or if no ringtones should occur. Default: OFF.
21. If Ringtones is set to PRIMARYor SECONDARY, in the Ringtones Attenuation (dB) field, enter a value to indicate
the number of decibels to lower the ringtone audio. Range: 0 to 71. Default: 10.
22. In the Other AP Type I Microphones field, select YES or NO to indicate if this jack box should receive transmit
audio from other Type I microphones. Default: NO.
23. If Other AP Type I Microphones is set to YES, in the Other Microphone Attenuation (dB) field, enter a value to
indicate the number of decibels to lower the microphone's audio. Range: 0 to 71. Default: 10.
24. Click Add or Update to save your configuration settings.
Configuring the External Audio Interface
This procedure describes how to add an external audio interface, such as an external IRR, as an audio device to a
console. For more information, see the Adding an Audio Device to a Console topic in the Scout Manager Online Help.
Perform the following steps to add and configure an external audio interface using Scout Manager:
1. Access Scout Manager > Console Configuration webpage > Audio Devices tab.
2. In the New Device dropdown, select External Audio Interface.
3. Click Add.
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The External Audio Interface page displays.
4. In the Device Name field, enter a name for the external audio interface. The name is used to identify this
external audio interface from other audio devices configured on this console.
5. Under the AP Port Settings section, from the AP Port dropdown, assign a port where this external audio
interface connects to the back of the media workstation.
For more information, see the Assigning an APPort or Network Connection to a Console topic in the Scout
Manager Online Help.
6. In the Input Gain field, enter the amount of gain to add to the audio coming from the external audio interface to
the media workstation. Range: –30 to 30 dBm. Default: 0.
7. From the VAGC dropdown, select whether to enable the Voice Automatic Gain Control for the external audio
interface. Default: DISABLED.
For more information, see the Configuring an Audio Device's VAGCtopic in the Scout Manager Online Help.
8. In the Output Level (dB) field, enter the level of the audio coming from the media workstation to the external
audio interface. Range: –40 to 0 dBm. Default: 0.
9. Under the Device Settings section, from the Receive Audio Mode dropdown, select whether the audio from
the console is in DUPLEX or FULL DUPLEX mode. Default: FULL DUPLEX.
10. From the Echo Cancel dropdown, select the echo cancel mode for eliminating undesired audio turnaround
from this port. Default: DISABLED.
11. From the Deskset Adapter dropdown, select ENABLED if this is a non-NENA compliant device connected to a
Deskset Adapter. Default: DISABLED.
NOTE
This field is only visible when Receive Audio Mode is set to FULL DUPLEX.
12. Under the Scout IRR Settings section, from the Audio Payload Type dropdown, select the codec used for
transmitting VoIP audio toward the Scout IRR. Default: G.711.
13. In the Jitter Delay (ms) field, enter the amount of time in milliseconds that the Scout IRR should wait before
decoding VoIP packets from this device. Range: 40 to 2500. Default: 60.
14. From the Voice Activity Detection dropdown, select whether or not the transmission of VoIP packets toward
the Scout IRR is based on the presence of voice in the audio stream. Default: DISABLED.
15. Click Update.
Configuring the Endpoint for the E911 Deskset
1. From Scout Manager's Configuration tab, in the Endpoints folder, select Add New >Endpoint.
2. Right-click the new endpoint that displays under the Endpoints folder and select Properties (or double-click the
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new endpoint).
The Endpoint Editor dialog box displays.
3. Configure the endpoint's settings as appropriate. Verify that the Endpoint Profile that you assign to this endpoint
is consistent with the way you want the endpoint to operate.
IMPORTANT
This endpoint is considered a "media workstation endpoint" and not a "VPGate endpoint" because the
interface is directly connected to the console through a USBcable, and not through a VPGate. The Name
you assign to this endpoint should be unique from other VPGate endpoints that are on the same domain.
Creating a Line Pad for an E911 Deskset Endpoint
1. In Scout Manager, on the Configuration tab, select the Screens folder.
2. Double-click the screen where you want to place the line pad for the NENA deskset device.
The screen editor displays in the workspace.
3. Drag the line pad from the Toolbox tab onto the screen.
4. Select the line pad and configure control-level property settings in the Line Pad Properties pane as necessary.
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By default, the Properties pane displays to the right of the Scout Manager screen editor. If the pane does not
display, select View >Properties to display it.
IMPORTANT
Pay special attention to assign the line pad to the deskset endpoint in the Behavior section of the Properties
pane. The remaining properties relate to how the line pad displays on the screen.
5. To name the line pad, in the Behavior section, select the dropdown in the Name field.
The dropdown displays available endpoints.
6. Select the endpoint you configured with the Endpoint Editor.
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Using an E911 Deskset
An E911 Deskset allows you to receive the audio from an E911 Radio/Telephone deskset through your Scout console
headset.
lWhen you answer a call on the E911 deskset, the Line pad on your screen automatically changes from the
Disconnect state to the Select state. If you are on a different screen than the screen with the Line pad, the
console changes to that screen so the Line pad in the Select state is visible. Audio from the call plays in the
headset.
lWith the line in a Select state, pressing PTTswitches the headset transmit audio to the selected radio and
temporarily mutes the audio to the telephone deskset. The line can still be placed into Hold, Unselect, Mute, or a
patch using the console's normal operations.
lWhen the call is over, hang up the E911 deskset. The Line pad automatically changes to the Disconnect state.
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Appendix A: What Does it Mean to be NENA-Compliant?
lPossesses a dedicated radio/telephone interface
lHas a receive pair that receives audio from the telephone set to radio console
oBalanced, 600 ohm impedance
o0 VDC
oElectrically isolated
oThe telephone set shall inject a 10 dB gain to the signal received from the telephone line
oThe radio console shall accept a maximum signal level of 0 dB
lHas a transmit pair that transmits audio of the radio console to the telephone set
oBalanced, 600 ohm impedance
o0 VDC
oElectrically isolated
oThe radio console shall output a maximum signal level of 0 dB
oThe telephone set attenuates the signal received from the radio console by 10 dB
lHas a Radio/Telephone Headset Control Signal Pair
oThe off-hook signal contact pair shall be a dry contact pair
oWhen closed (off-hook condition), the contact resistance shall be less than 5 ohms
oWhen opened (on-hook condition), the contact resistance shall be greater than 5 ohms
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Appendix B:Understanding the Physical Connections
The console headset is physically connected to the Avtec Jack Box. The NENA desk phone is physically connected to the
Hardware Media Workstation using one of the available AP Type II ports.
Scout Console Media Workstation (SCMW) AP Type II Port
On the console side, the cable should have an RJ45 connector. The following block diagram details the functional wiring
system.
When telephone calls are answered on an E911 phone set, a line pad representing the desk phone on the Scout
console’s screen automatically goes from the Disconnect state to the Select state. If the dispatcher is on a different
screen than the screen that the E911 line pad is on, the console automatically changes to that screen so the line pad in
the Select state is visible to the dispatcher.
Once the line is in Select, pressing PTT switches the headset transmit audio to the selected radio and temporarily mutes
the audio to the desk phone. The dispatcher has the option to place the line in Unselect, put the line on Hold or in Mute,
or place the line in a patch using the console's normal operations.
When the call is over, the dispatcher hangs up the E911 deskset which automatically places the pad representing the
phone set in the Disconnect state.
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