Ericsson M-PA EDACS User manual

M-PAEDACS 900 MHz
SELECT, SCAN, & SYSTEM
PERSONAL RADIOS
LBI-38574B
Operator’s Manual
E

Copyright© April 1991, Ericsson GE Mobile Communications, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . 6
OPERATING
NOMENCLATURE . . . . . . . 6
CONVENTIONAL
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . 6
TALK-AROUND
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . 6
TRUNKED OPERATION . . . 7
SYSTEM (AREA) . . . . . . . 7
GROUP OR SUBFLEET . . . 7
FLEET . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . 7
CONTROLS, DISPLAYS AND
CONNECTORS . . . . . . . . . 8
CONTROLS . . . . . . . . . . 8
4 KEY CONTROL . . . . . . . 9
SECOND FUNCTION
CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . 11
DISPLAYS . . . . . . . . . . . 13
UNIVERSAL DEVICE
CONNECTOR (UDC) . . . . . 15
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SELF-TEST . . . . . . . . . . 15
CARRIER CONTROL
TIMER . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
TRUNKED MODE
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . 16
RECEIVING A
MESSAGE . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SENDING A
MESSAGE . . . . . . . . . . . 17
EMERGENCY
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . 17
WIDE AREA ENCODE . . . . 18
TELEPHONE
INTERCONNECT . . . . . . . . 18
BASE/UNIT OPERATION . . . 18
INDIVIDUAL CALL . . . . . . 19
SYSTEM SCAN . . . . . . . . 19
This manual is published by Ericsson Inc., without any
warranty. Improvements and changes to this manual ne-
cessitated by typographical errors, inaccuracies of cur-
rent information, or improvements to programs and/or
equipment, may be made by Ericsson Inc., at any time
and without notice. Such changes will be incorporated
into new editions of this manual. No part of this manual
may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying
and recording, for any purpose, without the express writ-
ten permission of Ericsson Inc.
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS - Cont.
Page
WIDE AREA
SYSTEM SCAN . . . . . . . 19
GROUP SCAN
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . 19
GROUP SCAN -
MULTIGROUP
DECODE . . . . . . . . . . . 20
PRIORITY GROUP
SCAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SPECIAL CALL . . . . . . . 21
TELEPHONE
INTERCONNECT . . . . . . 23
CONVENTIONAL
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . 26
RECEIVING A MESSAGE . . 26
SENDING A MESSAGE . . . 26
ALERT TONES . . . . . . . . . 27
SELF CHECK TEST . . . . . 27
CALL RECEIVED . . . . . . 27
CALL ORIGINATE . . . . . . 27
CALL QUEUED . . . . . . . 27
AUTOKEY . . . . . . . . . . 28
SYSTEM BUSY . . . . . . . 28
CALL DENIED . . . . . . . . 28
UNIT DISABLED . . . . . . . 28
OUT OF RANGE/SYSTEM
INOPERATIVE . . . . . . . . . 29
CARRIER CONTROL TIMER . 29
LOW BATTERY ALERT . . . . 29
KEY PRESS ALERT . . . . . 29
OPERATING TIPS . . . . . . . . 30
OPERATING PROCEDURES . . 30
REPLACEMENT OF
BATTERY PACKS . . . . . . . 32
INTRINSICALLY SAFE USAGE . 32
BATTERY PACKS . . . . . . . 33
AUDIO ACCESSORIES . . . . 34
RECHARGING BATTERY
PACKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
REDUCED CAPACITY IN
RECHARGEABLE
BATTERIES: . . . . . . . . . . 34
RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
PACK DISPOSAL . . . . . . . 35
REMOVAL AND
REPLACEMENT OF THE
SWIVEL MOUNT . . . . . . . . 36
WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . 38
NICKEL-CADMIUM
BATTERY WARRANTY . . . . . 39
3

Figure 1A - M-PA EDACS Personal Radio
M-PA SELECT M-PA SCAN
4

Figure 1B - M-PA EDACS Personal Radio
M-PA SYSTEM SIDE VIEW
5

INTRODUCTION
This manual describes how to use
the M-PA EDACS System Personal Ra-
dios. The M-PA EDACS Select, Scan,
and System Personal Radios are field
programmable microprocessor control-
led portable radio designed for Digital
Trunking and Conventional communica-
tions.
It is housed in a rugged aluminum
case equipped with an easy to read al-
phanumeric display providing operating
information and radio status. The con-
trols include top mounted rotary Volume
and Control knobs, four Function keys
and a keypad. A recessed Emergency
button permits the use of a single but-
ton in sending emergency calls.
OPERATING NOMENCLATURE
CONVENTIONAL OPERATION
All units on a conventional system
operate through the same radio re-
peater. Trunked features (such as call
queuing and system scan) are not avail-
able in conventional mode.
TALK-AROUND OPERATION
Also referred to as “direct mode”,
talk-around provides a direct unit-to-unit
short range communications link. It is
intended to maintain communications
Figure 2 - M-PA EDACS System
Personal Radio (Top View)
6

outside of the main system coverage
area.
TRUNKED OPERATION
Trunked Operation refers to the use
of a set of radio frequency channels by
multiple user groups. By using high
speed digital data your M-PA EDACS
radio goes to an unused channel when
a call is initiated and will also only re-
spond to calls in the same user group.
In this way conversation privacy be-
tween user groups is assured.
SYSTEM (AREA) (Trunked operation
only)
The terms "system" and "areas" are
used interchangeably to refer to the
particular group of station repeaters
currently providing service to the radio.
Radios can be preprogrammed to work
in different systems by changing the
CONTROL Knob position or by press-
ing the STEP button (for SCAN and
SYSTEM models) depending on radio
programming. (e.g., different systems in
different cities).
GROUP OR SUBFLEET
(Trunked Operation Only)
A group of users share the same
preprogrammed group identification
number in their mobile and portable ra-
dios. All units in the same group will re-
ceive a dispatch call placed by any one
unit in the group.
FLEET (Trunked Operation Only)
A fleet of users consists of multiple
groups (subfleets). Radios can be pre-
programmed to make fleet calls to si-
multaneously access multiple user
groups.
AGENCY (Trunked Operation Only)
An agency is composed of multiple
fleets. Units can be preprogrammed to
7

initiate agency calls to access multiple
fleets.
CONTROLS, DISPLAYS AND
CONNECTORS
CONTROLS
ON/OFF The Power ON/OFF
slide switch located on
the side of the battery
pack controls power
from the battery pack to
the radio. Sliding the
switch up turns on the
radio and exposes the
yellow "ON" indicator.
This will also initiate the
personality self-test.
Sliding the switch down
turns the radio off.
VOLUME The VOLUME Control
Knob, located on the top
of the radio, adjusts the
receive volume to the
desired listening level.
MONITOR In the Trunked mode,
pressing the MONITOR
button enables non-su-
pervisory users to clear
message trunked indi-
vidual calls, entered dig-
its, and interconnect
calls. Supervisory units
may clear any call re-
gardless of type, trans-
mission or message
trunked. The MONITOR
button is also used to
clear any currently active
callback Status for both
supervisors and non-su-
pervisors.
In the Conventional
mode, the receiver may
be unsquelched by
pressing and holding the
8

MONITOR button. This
permits the user to listen
to the receiver and ad-
just the volume control
to the desired level.
When the button is re-
leased, the radio mutes
unless a carrier and
channel guard (if en-
abled) were detected in
the interim.
EMERGENCYThe EMERGENCY but-
ton is used to initiate an
emergency call on the
programmed home
group or on the selected
group if no home group
is programmed.
4 KEY CONTROL
(SCAN and SYSTEM MODELS)
CONTROL
KNOB AND
T
System Selection -
System selection is ac-
complished with either
the Control knob or the
STEP key depending on
the personality program-
ming. If the Control knob
is used for System
change, rotating the
knob will change Sys-
tems.
If the STEP key is used
for System change, then
pressing the STEP key
will take the radio to the
next system. Pressing
2nd then STEP will take
the radio to the previous
System. Holding down
the STEP key will result
in repeated operation.
Upon reaching the end
of the System list, the
radio can be pro-
grammed to stop or
wrap around to the end
of the list.
(Trunked
mode only)
9

Selection may also be
made by entering the
system number and
pressing the STEP key
(System model only).
Group/Channel Selec-
tion -Group selection is
accomplished with either
the Control knob or the
STEP key, depending on
the personality program-
ming. If the Control knob
is used for Group
change, rotating the
knob will change
Groups.
If the STEP key is used
for Group change, then
pressing the STEP key
will take the radio to the
next Group. Pressing
2nd then STEP will take
the radio to the previous
Group. Upon reaching
the end of the Group list
the radio can be pro-
grammed to stop or
wrap around to the other
end of the list. Selection
may also be made by
entering the group num-
ber and pressing the
STEP key (System
mode only).
Figure 3 - M-PA System Keypad
10

SThe SCAN key turns
Scan operation on or off.
PThe Special Call (SPC)
key switches operation
between the Group Se-
lect Mode and the Spe-
cial Call mode. Up to 24
special call unless can
be programmed into the
special call set for a
given system (up to 4
sets with 24 special call
entries per radio). The
STEP key is used to
scroll through the list.
Selection may also be
made by entering the
Special call entry num-
ber and pressing the
SPC key. (System model
only).
SECOND FUNCTION CONTROL
(SCAN And SYSTEM MODELS ONLY)
A/D Pressing the 2nd key fol-
lowed by the Add/Delete
key (A/D) flags the se-
lected group for scan or
deletes the group from
the Scan list.
LOCK Pressing the 2nd key fol-
lowed by the LOCK key
makes the keypad inop-
erative, thus preventing
accidental key activation.
Repeating this operation
reenables the keypad.
SECOND FUNCTION CONTROL
(SYSTEM MODEL ONLY)
The system keypad provides addi-
tional capabilities. These capabilities in-
clude storage and recall of up to 10
telephone numbers and 10 radio identi-
fication numbers, manually sending a
11

telephone interconnect call, manually
initiating an individual radio call, and
quick selection of special calls and Sys-
tems or groups.
1The storage function al-
lows you to store a tele-
phone number or radio
ID number.
To store a telephone
number, enter the tele-
phone number (up to 29
digits) followed by an as-
terisk (*) control charac-
ter. Next enter the
storage location (1 to 10)
and press the 2nd and
STO keys. The LCD dis-
plays "STORED" for 2
seconds and returns to
its previous state.
To store an individual ra-
dio ID number, enter the
ID number (from 1 to
16382) followed by a
pound sign (#) control
character. Next enter the
storage location (1 to 10)
and press the 2nd and
STO keys. The LCD dis-
plays "STORED" for 2
seconds and returns to
its previous state.
3The recall function al-
lows you to recall a tele-
phone number or radio
ID number previously
stored using the storage
function.To recall a num-
ber, first enter the con-
trol digit (* or #) to
indicate whether you are
recalling a telephone
number or a radio ID
number. Next enter the
storage location (1 to
10). Pressing the 2nd
and RCL keys com-
12

pletes the process and
the telephone number or
radio ID number is dis-
played on the LCD.
Pressing only the 2nd
and RCL keys without
specifying the recall type
or location will recall the
last number that was
stored or recalled.
#Pressing the 2nd key fol-
lowed by the CLR key
allows you to clear the
last digit entered from
the keypad. If you are
clearing the first digit,
then the display will re-
turn to its previous state.
Holding CLR down re-
sults in repeated opera-
tion.
DISPLAYS
The radio’s Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD) panel, located on the front of the
radio, provides the user with an 8 char-
acter alphanumeric display and twelve
radio status flags located along the top
and bottom of the display panel.
The alphanumeric display provides
the user with information relating to the
identification of a received or transmitter
call.
The status flags indicate the vari-
ous operating characteristics of the ra-
dio. Only the active flags are displayed.
An explanation of the flags is given be-
low.
13

EMG Emergency indicator - In
trunked mode, the flag is
on steady when the user
initiates or receives an
emergency call.
NC No Control channel -
Steady display indicates
no trunked control chan-
nel. Flashing indicates
trunked system is in fail-
soft (supervisory radios
only).
HI High Power status flag -
On indicates the radio is
programmed to transmit
at high power. Off indi-
cates low power.
MSG Message - A flashing
message flag indicates
an individual call has
been received but not
responded to (trunked
mode).
CNV Conventional Mode -
flag indicates that the ra-
dio is operating in the
confessional mode.
SPC Special Call - The flag is
displayed when the Spe-
cial Call mode is se-
lected (trunked mode).
TX Transmit Status flag -
Flag is on when the ra-
dio is transmitting.
BSY Channel Busy indicator -
In the Trunked mode, on
indicates the radio is re-
ceiving a call. In the
Conventional mode, on
indicates a carrier is pre-
sent.
14

CG Channel Guard - Dis-
played when Channel
Guard is enabled on the
selected conventional
channel.
BAT Battery low - This status
flag indicates the battery
pack needs recharging.
SScan List - Indicates the
selected group/channel
is in the scan list.
SCN Scan - Indicates radio is
in the Scan mode.
UNIVERSAL DEVICE CONNECTOR
(UDC)
The Universal Device Connector
(UDC) is located on the side of the ra-
dio above the PTT bar. The M-PA
EDACS radio support up to 16 external
devices. Some of these devices are:
External Microphone
External Earphone
External Speaker/Mic
Vehicular Charger
Emergency Lanyard
The UDC is also used by mainte-
nance personnel for programming the
radio.
OPERATION
SELF-TEST
During the power-up sequence, the
radio performs a Personality self-test.
During this test, the radio executes a
set of preprogrammed instructions. At
the start of the test all segments of the
LCD will be momentarily displayed.
When the radio passes the self-
test, it will begin operation on the se-
lected System.
15

If the radio fails the self-test, an er-
ror condition exists and the message
"PERS ERR" will be displayed and a
failure tone is sounded. If this happens,
the radio requires reprogramming or
servicing. A short tone or beep is
sounded if the radio passes the self-
test.
CARRIER CONTROL TIMER
(If programmed)
This feature unkeys the transmitter
if the user exceeds the preprogrammed
time for continuous transmission and
produces a beeping tone in the speaker
until the PTT switch is released. Re-
leasing PTT resets the timer.
TRUNKED MODE OPERATION
RECEIVING A MESSAGE
1. Slide the ON/OFF switch on the
battery pack to the ON position.
The radio initiates and com-
pletes the self-test after which
the System name and "NC"
Status flag are displayed. When
the system control channel is lo-
cated, the "NC" flag disappears
and the group name is dis-
played.
2. Set the VOLUME Control to mid
range.
3. Use the CONTROL Knob or
STEP key to select the desired
System and/or group (depend-
ing on programming). The dis-
play indicates the selected
group name.
16

4. The radio is now ready to re-
ceive messages.
5. GROUP CALL - When the radio
receives a group call, it unsquel-
ches on the assigned channel
and lights the "BSY" flag. The
Group name or originator’s ID
(depending on programming) is
displayed.
6. INDIVIDUAL CALL - If an indi-
vidual call (call directed only to
your radio) is received, the radio
unsquelches on the assigned
channel and the "BSY" flag
lights.The message "*INDV*" or
originator’s ID is displayed.
If you respond to the call prior to
the programmed call-back time-out,
your call will automatically be directed
to the originating unit.
SENDING A MESSAGE
1. Turn the radio on, set the re-
ceive audio level, and select the
desired group as described un-
der TO RECEIVE A MESSAGE.
2. Observe the display for the ab-
sence of the "BSY" indicator to
ensure that no one is transmit-
ting on the selected group.
3. Press and hold the PTT bar, the
radio will perform the necessary
signaling required to obtain a
communication channel.
4. When the channel has been ac-
quired, the "TX" and "BSY"
flags are displayed and the
channel access tone is heard.
5. Hold the radio about three
inches from your mouth and
speak normally.
17

6. Release the PTT bar when the
transmission is complete, and
listen for any reply.
EMERGENCY OPERATION
Receiving an Emergency Call
1. When the radio receives an
Emergency Channel Assign-
ment, the "EMG" flag is dis-
played. Follow your standard
emergency procedures.
Sending an Emergency Call
1. For emergency transmission,
press and hold the EMER-
GENCY button for approxi-
mately one second. The radio
transmits an emergency call
message until an Emergency
Channel Assignment is re-
ceived. Upon receipt the "EMG"
flag is displayed.
2. Press the PTT bar, and speak
into the microphone in a normal
voice.
3. Release the PTT bar when the
transmission is complete and lis-
ten for a reply.
4. When the radio receives a nor-
mal group channel assignment,
it will return to the group pre-
viously selected.
WIDE AREA ENCODE
This preprogrammed option insures
all system scanning mobiles and port-
ables have time to lock onto the call be-
fore the initiating unit is allowed to talk.
A three tone alert and a short delay will
be noticed after keying the unit and be-
fore the call originate beep is heard.
This delay occurs only at the first call
transaction, all conversation immedi-
ately following will operate at normal
system speed. The delay length will
18

vary depending on system operating
parameters.
TELEPHONE INTERCONNECT
This feature allows you to initiate or
receive telephone calls through your ra-
dio if the system is configured for this
operation.
BASE/UNIT OPERATION
This preprogrammed option is used
in some fleets so units can only hear
and talk to a base dispatch unit, not to
other mobiles or portables in the group.
In this mode of operation, when a unit
in a particular group is talking to the
base dispatch unit, all other mobiles
and portables in that group will receive
a "System Busy" tone if they try to ac-
cess the system.
INDIVIDUAL CALL
Every radio in the system is pre-
programmed with a unique individual
identification code. A mobile or portable
unit can call another particular unit by
programming the receiving unit’s ID into
his radio’s special call set for that sys-
tem. Each special call may be select-
able and accessed through the
CONTROL knob (depending on radio
programming) or through the SPC key
(SCAN and SYSTEM models).
SYSTEM SCAN
The radio can be preprogrammed
to scan (monitor activity on) up to three
separate trunked systems and receive
calls on any of these systems.
WIDE AREA SYSTEM SCAN
The unit may be programmed with
a predefined scan list so that if the cur-
rent system is lost, the radio will auto-
matically search out and lock to the
next available system in its scan list. If
enabled, the radio will login to the new
system once acquired.
19

GROUP SCAN OPERATION
The scan operation is enabled by
pressing the SCAN key, turning on the
"SCN" status flag.
When a group in the scan list re-
ceives a channel assignment, the radio
unsquelches on the assigned channel
and displays the group name. If the ra-
dio detects a selected group call, it will
switch to the selected group call and
display the selected group name.
Pressing the PTT while in scan
causes the radio to place the call on the
selected group, as described under TO
SEND A MESSAGE.
Press the SCAN key to disable
scan operation, the "SCN" flag turns off
and the radio resumes operation on the
selected group.
GROUP SCAN - MULTIGROUP DE-
CODE (Trunked Operation Only)
This radio can be preprogrammed
to monitor up to 48 separate groups si-
multaneously (multi-group decode),
permitting the user to both monitor and
receive calls from these groups.When a
radio receives a call from one of these
groups, it will "lock out", and not send or
receive messages from other groups for
a preprogrammed period of 5, 10 or 15
seconds, permitting the user to respond
to the group call. (The radio may also
be preprogrammed for no lock out pe-
riod). At the end of the "lock out" period,
the radio sounds two short low pitched
"beeps" and is again ready to receive a
call from any of the preprogrammed
groups.
PRIORITY GROUP SCAN
If enabled on the radio by the PC
Programmer, Priority Group Scan al-
lows the user to scan up to 48 separate
20