COMMUNICATIONS-APPLIED TECHNOLOGY ICRI/2P Manual

Revision AM.2
2/2011
Setup and Operating Procedures
ICRI/2P™
As configured for the Federal Air Marshals
Under Order # HSTS07-08-F-00273,
dated 9/15/2008
Incident Commanders’ Radio Interface™
A Rapidly Deployable, Radio Interoperability Solution for Public Safety Personnel
MANUFACTURED BY
COMMUNICATIONS-APPLIED TECHNOLOGY CO., INC.
RESTON, VA., USA
CAGE CODE: 0EEY2
http://www.c-at.com
If you have any questions, please contact:
C-AT TECHNICAL SUPPORT at 800-229-3925 x23 (voice) 703-471-4428 (fax), or
E-mail to [email protected] or access the ICRI bulletin board at www.c-at.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
THEORY OF OPERATION ....................................................................................................... 3
PRE-OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES......................................................................................... 4
INITIAL SETUP........................................................................................................................... 6
PELICAN CASE ICRI STORAGE ............................................................................................ 7
CONTROLS AND INDICATORS.............................................................................................. 9
FRONT PANEL............................................................................................................................... 9
REAR PANEL............................................................................................................................... 11
REAR PANEL............................................................................................................................... 11
ICRI POWER.............................................................................................................................. 12
POWERING THE ICRIWITH INTERNAL LITHIUM ION BATTERY:.................................................... 12
POWER THE ICRIWITH THE OPTIONAL C-AT BATTERY PACK (8 “AA” CELLS) ........................... 13
POWER THE ICRI-2P WITH CIGARETTE LIGHTER OR ALLIGATOR CLIPS CABLE (P/N 179.0730).... 14
PORTABLE RADIO INTERFACE.......................................................................................... 15
CONNECTING THE PORTABLE RADIO............................................................................................ 15
OPERATING THE PORTABLE RADIO AFTER CABLE CONNECTION................................................... 17
USING A NEXTEL™PHONE IN DIRECT CONNECT™MODE........................................................... 17
SETTING RADIOS TO “BRIDGE”THROUGH THE ICRI-2P............................................................... 18
TROUBLESHOOTING RADIO SETUP............................................................................................... 18
LAND-LINE TELEPHONE, CELLULAR PHONE INTERFACE...................................... 19
CONNECTING A LAND LINE TELEPHONE TO THE ICRI-2P....................................................... 19
CONNECTING A CELLULAR TELEPHONE TO THE ICRI-2P....................................................... 20
THE LOCAL HANDSET .......................................................................................................... 21
USING THE HANDSET................................................................................................................. 21
ADJUSTING THE VOLUME.......................................................................................................... 21
ICRI TO ICRI LINK.................................................................................................................. 22
ICRI UNIT IDENTIFIER.......................................................................................................... 23
APPENDIX A: INTERFACE CAPABILITIES DIAGRAM FOR FAM ICRI-2P............... 24
APPENDIX B: CONNECTOR PIN-OUT DATA.................................................................... 25
APPENDIX C: ICRI-2P COVER INSTRUCTIONS (FAM CONFIGURATION).............. 26
APPENDIX D: ICRI BOARD ADJUSTMENTS..................................................................... 27
APPENDIX E: SOME INTEROPERABILITY DOS AND DON’TS ................................... 29
APPENDIX F: FCC PART 15.21 INFORMATION TO USER:............................................ 30

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Theory of Operation
The “2P” can provide a communications bridge, or link, between two public safety agencies with
otherwise incompatible radios; can quickly establish the link as a tactical situation rapidly unfolds;
and requires minimal resources to enable it initially, or to maintain its operation over many hours.
The 2P will remain fully operational for 30+ hours powered byan external “AA” battery pack (8 “AA
alkaline batteries), 10+ hours powered by the internal, rechargeable battery, and indefinitely when
powered by an AC source.
The 2P performs two primary functions:
Distributes the audio received from a two-way radio, or telephone, to a second radio also
connected to the 2P.
Utilizes this same incoming audio to “key” the other communicationsdevicesconnectedtothe
ICRI. The “radios”can be hand-held portables, vehicleor consoleradios, SPRINT/NEXTEL
“Direct Connect” phones or a combination. Land-line telephones, cell phones, STU, STE or
satellite phones can also be connected to the ICRI.
The ICRI-2P circuitry does not attempt to modify or digitally process the incoming audio, so that
unnecessarydelays are not inserted into the audio transfer or “keying” processes. Radios, telephones
and/or recording devices connected to the ICRI are provided with the incoming audio, essentially in
real-time. An audio “buffer” preserves the first syllables of incoming audio processed through
“trunking” radio systems.
This version of the ICRI contains 2 circuits that key the radios connected to the ICRI; these circuits
are commonly referred to as “VOX” or “voice-activated switches.” Only the VOX directlyconnected
to the incoming audio is usedto keyeach of the other radios simultaneously(all othersaretemporarily
disabled, to prevent a second “voice” from causing a disruption of communication).The ICRI uses
these circuits to perform other controlling functions as well.

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Pre-Operational Activities
Some pre-planning is necessary to ready the ICRI for rapid deployment. The following should be
accounted for before placing the ICRI on-line:
1. Determine what the power source will be for the ICRI. Verify that the internal battery is
charged or that one of the external power source option are available*.
2. Determine what brand and model of radios will be connected to the ICRI and that an
“interface” cable for each radio is available.
3. If radios are not maintained with the ICRI, advise participating agencies that theywill need to
supply a “spare” radio, for the radio interoperability.
4. Verifythat the radios are known to operate properlyand have at least one fullycharged battery
or other reliable power source.
*Among the power sources that can be used to power the ICRI are:
12 volt vehicle battery
Vehicle cigarette lighter
115v AC (with an external adapter)
BA590 “military”
Commercial dry-cell or other battery(7.2V up to20V DC, minimum 10.5V to charge
internal battery pack)
C-AT 12 volt battery pack (uses 8 “AA” batteries)
The ICRI’s internal regulated power supply is reverse polarity protected, but it is important to check
polarity of DC supplies before connecting them to the ICRI.

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Interoperability DOs and DON’Ts
These simple “universal” rules will help to ensure that the part of communications interoperability
will work properly.
1. Verifythat only one interoperability bridge in the area is using the radio frequencies that you
will be using.
2. Audio and RF cables should be separated from AC power cables by 12” (use an external DC
source or batteries when you can’t maintain the separation).
3. When plugging in two or more radios within the same radio band (i.e. VHF) into a radio
bridge, like the ICRI, provide as much vertical separation as possible to reduce the chance for
interference due to the transmitted signal from oneradio reducingthereceivesensitivityofthe
other “in band” radios. Consider using external mobile antennas connected to the radios if
necessary. Use only bridge interconnect cables that are well shielded.
4. Some bridge cables contain in-line, audioamplifiers for radios designedwithlowaudio levels.
It is best to rout those cables awayfrom radio antennasandconnectors---lotsof RFanddistort
the audio amplifier’s output to the bridge.
5. Don’t use “SCAN” mode for any radios connected to a radio bridge. This is particularly
important when you are using the bridge as a tactical repeater, where two or more radios have
similar channel programming. If both radios are capable of hearing the same signal, theywill
key each other up "ping-pong", interfering with the function of the bridge.

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INITIAL SETUP
As a minimum, the following will be required for ICRI operation:
ICRI assembly
Charged internal Li Ion battery or power supply with interconnect cable to ICRI
Two radio interface cables or a radio interface cable and a cell phone cable (no external
cable needed for land-line phone connection)
Two radios and/or a phone
Determine power method and connect to ICRI, place the POWER switch in the “ON” position; the
“OK”LED should be lit. If the Li Ion battery has been fullycharged, it will provide at least 10 hours
of continuous use.
Check the radios’transmit and receive functions, battery and channel selection.
Connect one interface cable to the ICRI and one radio
Connect the handset.
Set the volume controls for theradios and handset to a positionmid-waybetweenfullyCLOCKWISE
and fully COUNTER-CLOCKWISE
NOTE: A radio’s internal speaker will be disabled when the interconnect cable has been attached,
so you must use the handset, or a second radio on the same channel toverify the communications
link.
Active VOX will light when the radio is transmitting.
Repeat with the other radio/phone to be used.
FIGURE 1: ICRI-2P FRONT AND REAR PANEL

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Pelican Case ICRI Storage
This ICRI is provided with a Pelican™ transit case with custom foam cutouts for storage of the ICRI
and cables. A status board for quick identification of connectedradios/agencies ismountedwithin the
case, behind the cover foam.
Opening the Pelican case may require relievingthe partial vacuum that forms when the case has been
relocated from one altitude to another (more than 1000’). Turn the knob, show in FIGURE 2,
counter-clockwise; be sure to close the purge valve after the pressure is released (turn clockwise) or
the case will not be waterproof even with the lid latched.
FIGURE 2: ICRI CASE (OUTSIDE)
The Pelican case will appear as in FIGURE 2 with radio interface cables located in the front recess.
Additional cutouts are provided for the (a) storage of an extra battery pack, and (b) for the positioning
of radios during ICRI operations.
Abbreviated set-up instructions are printed onto the top cover of the ICRI assembly. Connector
information for radio, telephone, and power interconnect cables is printed on the bottom of the ICRI
assembly.
FIGURE 3: ICRI CASE (INSIDE) DRY ERASE COMMAND BOARD LOCATED BEHIND FOAM

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FIGURE 4: INTER-AGENCY COMMUNICATIONS STATUS BOARD "WHITE BOARD"
The Inter-Agency Communications Status board is located behind the foam on the top of the
Pelican™ case.
This board is to be used only with dry erase markers to indicate which agencies are connected to
the ICRI and each other during an incident. A dry erase marker and eraser are included in the
ICRI kit.

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Controls and Indicators
Front Panel
FIGURE 5: FRONT PANEL
RADIO INTERFACE JACKS (1 and 2) A
The 2 radio interface jacks on this unit are a 5-pin 180°locking-DIN type jack. Make sure the interface
cable is fullyseated before use. The radio’s internal speaker and hand mic functions are disabled. Use the
ICRI handset to talk/listen if using the ICRI as a base station (a remote speaker jack is an ICRI option).
Pinout:
1- Ground
2- Audio from radio
3- Audio to radio
4- No connection
5- P-T-T Enable
VOICE ACTIVATED CIRCUIT (VOX) LED INDICATOR: B
When lit (only one at a time) indicates the VOX, of the “inputting” radio, is active. If the VOX stays
permanentlylit, you may need to turn down the volume of the radios until the light is lit onlyduring input.
HANDSET INTERFACE JACK C
This 5 pin, 240°connector supports the handset (p/n 280.0125 only; other ICRI handset models are not
compatible).
Pinout:
1- Ground
2- Audio from handset’s microphone to the ICRI/radios
3- PTT
4- Audio to the handset’s speaker from the ICRI/radios (+)
5- Audio to the handset’s speaker from the ICRI/radios (-)
HANDSET VOLUME CONTROL D
This knob controls the volume to the handset only. Turn clockwise for more volume and counterclockwise
for less volume.
To adjust the volume of the radios, use the corresponding radio’s volume knob.
POWER STATUS INDICATOR LIGHT: E
When lit the ICRI-2P is powered up. The low voltage light will light when the voltage is below 7.5V. If
using internal batterypower, there will be approximately 6 hours ofoperationbeforethebatterywill need to
be replaced.
POWER SWITCH: F
This three position switch is used to turn the ICRI “ON” and “OFF.”when the ICRI is to be powered by the
internal, rechargeable battery, or an external power supply.

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To use the internal power source, place the handle of the switch in the UP position (labeled
“internal battery”).
To use an external power source place the handle of the switch in the DOWN position (labeled
“EXTERNAL BAT/CHG”).
If the external power source is at least 10.5V, the internal battery will charge while the ICRI is
operating AND the power switch is in the EXTERNAL BAT/CHG position
The ICRI is not operatingwhen the switch is in the middle/centerr position is OFF.Iftheexternal
power source is at least 10.5V, the internal battery will charge
There is no microprocessor “boot” time. If the unit is turned off, it will immediately resume the
bridge link when turned back on.