Futurecom VR Operating instructions

Futurecom Systems Group, ULC
VR Programming Guide
Document: 8G093X01
Revision: R5
Date: August 2022

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NOTES

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Contents
Contents........................................................................................................................3
Manual Revisions..........................................................................................................7
Foreword .......................................................................................................................8
Computer Software Copyrights ...................................................................................9
Publicly Available Software List.................................................................................10
Publicly Available Software –Common Licenses......................................................11
CodeGuru License....................................................................................................14
Document Copyrights................................................................................................14
Disclaimer.................................................................................................................14
Trademarks...............................................................................................................14
Commercial Warranty................................................................................................14
Declaration of Conformity ......................................................................................15
Important Safety Information .................................................................................15
Notice to Users (FCC/ISED)....................................................................................15
Déclaration de Conformité......................................................................................16
Informations de Sécurité Importantes...................................................................16
Avis Aux Utilisateurs (FCC / ISED).........................................................................16
VR Programming Basics ............................................................................................17
Key Terminology.......................................................................................................17
Installing Futurecom Repeater Configurator (FRC) ...................................................17
Previous Installation ..............................................................................................................17
New Installation.....................................................................................................................17
Menu Bar ..................................................................................................................18
Compatibility Charts ..............................................................................................................19
Setting Up Communications with the VR...................................................................20
Reading from the VR (Uploading Data).....................................................................20
Writing to the VR (Downloading Data).......................................................................20
Understanding FRC Programming Files....................................................................20
Codeplug Applications...........................................................................................................21
Data Categories.....................................................................................................................21
Codeplug Content..................................................................................................................21
Codeplug Encryption.............................................................................................................21
Codeplug Summary...............................................................................................................22

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FRC Icons.................................................................................................................22
How To Create an EPR File......................................................................................23
How To Create a DPD File........................................................................................24
Creation of New File..............................................................................................................24
Modify an Existing File ..........................................................................................................24
How To Create a DCD File........................................................................................27
Creation of New File..............................................................................................................27
Modify an Existing File ..........................................................................................................27
Feature Licenses.......................................................................................................30
Introduction............................................................................................................................30
License Delivery....................................................................................................................30
Applying License to Repeater via FRC .................................................................................30
Bundling a License File with a DCD File...............................................................................33
Applying License to Template Files.......................................................................................34
How To Clone a VR ..................................................................................................35
Steps for Cloning...................................................................................................................35
Using FRC Off-Line...................................................................................................37
Viewing Codeplugs Off-Line..................................................................................................37
Modifying Codeplugs Off-Line...............................................................................................37
Saving Codeplugs Off-Line ...................................................................................................37
Applying Firmware to VR...........................................................................................38
Upgrading Firmware..................................................................................................41
Downgrading Firmware.............................................................................................42
VR Programming Guidelines......................................................................................44
Programming Steps Overview...................................................................................44
The DVRS operation depends on the following: ...................................................................44
Additional CPS Programming for VR.........................................................................45
VR BASIC PROGRAMMING.....................................................................................45
VR FEATURE PROGRAMMING...............................................................................46
VR FINE TUNING.....................................................................................................48
P25 Trunking OTAR via VR ......................................................................................48
MSU Scan Programming Requirements....................................................................48
MSU Group Services Programming Requirements ..............................................................48
Exporting MSU data (.xml file)...............................................................................................49
Programming the PSUs for DVRS Operation............................................................50
Programming the P25 ‘DVRS Enabled’ PSU.............................................................50
XTS Series ‘DVRS Enabled’ PSUs ...........................................................................50
APX Series ‘DVRS Enabled’ PSUs ...........................................................................51
Programming of Generic P25 PSU for Digital VR Mode............................................51
Programming of the P25 PSU (Generic P25 or ‘DVRS Enabled’) for operation on
Conventional P25 MSU System................................................................................51

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Programming of the P25 XTS PSU (Generic P25 or ‘DVRS Enabled’) for Inbound Digital
Takeover...................................................................................................................52
Programming of Analog Conventional PSU for Analog VR Mode..............................52
Feature Programming ...............................................................................................53
How to Program GPS Driven Deactivation Feature..............................................................53
How to Program NAC Linking Feature..................................................................................55
How to Program TPS Signaling.............................................................................................56
How to Program Talkgroup Matching....................................................................................57
How to Program Talkgroup Proxying ....................................................................................58
How to Program Talkgroup Translation.................................................................................59
How to Program Unit ID Translation......................................................................................62
FRC Window and Field Definitions............................................................................63
Documentation Conventions .....................................................................................63
Options .....................................................................................................................65
Ports ......................................................................................................................................65
Repeater Setup.........................................................................................................66
RF / Analog Setup.................................................................................................................66
Frequency Band Setup..........................................................................................................66
User Info................................................................................................................................66
Hardware / Software Info.......................................................................................................69
Update Info............................................................................................................................69
Personality Data........................................................................................................71
Repeater Channel Setup Window.........................................................................................71
Mode Change........................................................................................................................77
Mode Change of VR by Local PSU ......................................................................................77
Remote Mode change of VR by Dispatcher / System PSU ..................................................78
Mobile Radio Channel Setup.................................................................................................79
Hardware Setup Window...........................................................................................87
MSU Data..............................................................................................................................92
PSU IDs Allowed...................................................................................................................93
VR Remote Activation IDs.....................................................................................................93
PSU NAC Table.....................................................................................................................93
Analog Setup ............................................................................................................94
VR Common Setup...................................................................................................98
MSU Interface Setup...............................................................................................104
Emergency Setup....................................................................................................105
Tone Setup..........................................................................................................................109
Station ID Setup ..................................................................................................................109
Digital Setup............................................................................................................109
Primary / Secondary Setup .....................................................................................115
VRS-EP Options..................................................................................................................116
VRS-EP Tables ...................................................................................................................120
Maintenance Screens ...............................................................................................121
Using the Monitoring Screen...................................................................................121
BER Test Setup...................................................................................................................123

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RSSI Setup.............................................................................................................124
Setting up the RSSI ON range ............................................................................................128
Setting up the Voting Parameters (Primary / Secondary Range) ......................................129
Troubleshooting........................................................................................................130
Software / Programming Related Problems.............................................................130
Multiple issues when using DVRS with TDMA* .......................................................133
Appendix 1 –VR Status Display ..............................................................................134
Appendix 2 –Grant Timeout Timer..........................................................................135
Appendix 3 –Icon Legend........................................................................................136
Appendix 4 –CPS VR Related Programming..........................................................137
Glossary ....................................................................................................................140
Reference ..................................................................................................................143
Contact Information.......................................................................................................i

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Manual Revisions
Rev #
Date
Notes & References
0
October 2020
Original Release
1
February 2021
Update for SR2021.1
2
July 2021
Update for SR2021.2
3
August 2021
Update for SR2021.3
4
November 2021
Update for SR2021.4
5
August 2022
Update for SR2022.2

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Foreword
Futurecom Vehicular Repeater (VR) is designed to be seamlessly interfaced to:
Remote Mount APX Series Mobile Subscriber Unit (MSU) with or without control head
When the VR is interfaced to a Remote Mount Motorola APX Mobile Radio, the complete
equipment package is referred to as Digital Vehicular Repeater System (DVRS).
For compatibility requirements for Mobile and Portable radios refer to Futurecom website →
Support → Documentation and Software → DVR-LX/DVR/VRX1000 → Compatibility Charts
For details on the APX series Mobile or Portable Radios operation, please refer to the applicable
Manuals available from Motorola.
For details on how to operate a VR, please refer to the Vehicular Repeater (VR) User’s Guide
Template available on Futurecom website → Support → Documentation and Software → DVR-
LX/DVR/VRX1000
Futurecom Repeater Configurator (FRC) contains three main components to service all
hardware programming needs
1. Configurator for APX Repeaters (VRX1000, DVR and DVR-LX®)
2. Configurator for PDR8000®
3. Flash Downloader Utility
This is used to update the firmware of the repeater. In the past the user had to download
it separately from the Futurecom website, integrating into FRC makes it more of an all-
in-one utility and adds a layer of convenience
FRC is backwards compatible with all VR firmware versions. It supports reading all previously
configured devices. It is continually updated with business rules to ensure integrity of VR
configuration.

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Computer Software Copyrights
The products described in this manual include copyrighted Futurecom computer programs
stored in semiconductor memories or other media. Laws in the United States, Canada and other
countries preserve for Futurecom certain exclusive rights for copyrighted computer programs,
including but not limited to, the exclusive right to copy or reproduce in any form the copyrighted
computer programs. Any copyrighted computer program contained in the Futurecom products
described in this manual may not be copied, reproduced, modified, reverse-engineered, or
distributed in any manner without the express written permission of Futurecom. The purchase of
Futurecom products shall not be deemed to grant either directly or by implication, estoppels, or
otherwise, any license under the copyrights, patents, or patent applications of Futurecom,
except for the normal non-exclusive license to use that arises by operation of law in the sale of a
product.

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The Futurecom Repeater Configurator provided by Futurecom Systems Group ULC includes the
following Publicly Available Software.
Publicly Available Software List
Name: MFC Grid Control
Version: 2.24
Modified: Yes
Software Site: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/miscctrl/gridctrl.aspx
Source Code: No Source Code Distribution Obligations. The Source Code may be obtained from the original Software
Site.
License: The Article associated with the Source Code is licensed under the Code Project Open License (CPOL),
version 1.02. Reference the Common Licenses Section for the terms of the CPOL. The Source Code licensed is under
Custom Freeware / Open Source Software License, see below:
Written by Chris Maunder <[email protected]>
Copyright (c) 1998-2002. All Rights Reserved.
This code may be used in compiled form in any way you desire. This file may be redistributed unmodified by any means
PROVIDING it is not sold for profit without the authors written consent, and providing that this notice and the authors
name and all copyright notices remains intact.
An email letting me know how you are using it would be nice as well.
This file is provided "as is" with no expressed or implied warranty.
The author accepts no liability for any damage / loss of business that this product may cause.
Additional Notices:
CInPlaceEdit, http://www.codeguru.com/listview/edit_subitems.shtml, licensed under the CodeGuru License.
Refer to the Common Licenses Section for the terms of the CodeGuru License.
Credits:
Zafir Anjum
Eric Woodruff
Ken Bertelson
Joe Willcoxson