Motorola's Dual Radio

Tutorial Scripts

Motorola’s Dual Radio Feature - The Introduction

A Dual Radio configuration allows two APX™ Mobile radio transceivers to operate together while simultaneously sharing the same control head. The Dual Radio feature can include high-power or mid-power radios, and both single-band and dual-band radios.

This unique configuration can allow for different combinations of Simultaneous Receive of Voice Audio, Simultaneous Transmit of Voice and Data, and simultaneous Transmit and Receive of Tx Voice and Rx Data.

Each radio can be CPS-configured to have its own desired functionality, and a button-press or menu-selection allows the radio-user-ability to Swap from one radio to the other.

Transmit and Receive Rules and Advantages

To begin with, the sum of both radios' frequency bands within a Dual Radio configuration are considered to be either "In-Band" or "Cross-Band". "In-Band" vs. "Cross-Band" is based on each radio's available frequency bands, regardless of the frequencies being used in each radio's codeplug.

The possible radio Frequency Bands include: VHF, UHF Range 1, UHF Range 2, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz. A codeplug’s available frequency bands can be seen in the CPS, Radio Information Window’s Primary Frequency Band and Secondary Frequency Band fields.

Dual radios are considered to be "cross-band" when entirely different frequency bands exist for the two radio’s codeplugs: single band or dual band. Dual radios are considered to be "in-band" when at least one frequency band of one radio’s codeplug, overlaps with any one band of the other radio’s codeplug: single band, or dual band. Note that, due to potential frequency band overlap, the combination of "UHF1" and "UHF2" on dual radios is considered in-band.

One advantage for both the cross-band, and the in-band frequency scenarios, is that simultaneous receiving of voice, is possible. However, due to potential RF interference, simultaneous transmitting of voice, is not possible.

Note that, as a rule, “Cross Band” is capable of many more communication advantages than an “In Band” scenario. For instance:

• Simultaneous transmitting of data such as GPS data is possible a in cross-band frequency scenario.
• Simultaneous transmitting of voice on the selected radio, and transmitting of GPS data on the unselected radio is also possible.
• Simultaneous transmitting of voice on the selected radio, and while also receiving voice on the unselected radio is possible.
• Simultaneous transmitting of an OTAR request, while also receiving an Over The Air Rekeying is possible.
• Simultaneous transmitting of GPS data, and receiving of voice is possible.
• And finally, simultaneous transmitting of voice on the selected radio, and receiving of OTAR data on the unselected radio is possible.

Also note that for your convenience, the control head uses intelligent lighting to indicate which radio is currently selected. For instance, note the color scheme when the Primary radio is selected, and now, note the inverse colors when the Secondary radio is selected.

Unique Dual Radio Icons also reflect which radio is currently receiving audio. When the Primary radio is the Selected radio, the icons appear as seen here. And when the Secondary radio is the Selected radio, similar to the display’s colors, the Dual Radio icons will have an inverse appearance for each receive audio scenario.

Feature Specific and Radio Specific Programming Considerations

To begin with, do be aware that in a Dual Radio configuration, due to system reset during programming, the two radios must be programmed separately.

From within the CPS’s Radio Wide, Dual Radio Page, codeplug programming starts by defining one radio as the “Primary Radio”, which is programmed from this “Radio Selection” field. The other radio’s codeplug must then be programmed separately, as the “Secondary Radio”.

On the User Information and Password page, a unique “Radio Alias” should also be defined for each radio, such as “Primary” and “Secondary”. This Radio's Alias then appears momentarily in the Control Head's display, when radio-user "Swapped".

Notably, certain Dual Radio features, and certain non-Dual Radio features, must be programmed on the "Primary” radio only, or on the "Secondary” radio only, or sometimes programmed separately on both radios. For instance, the Dual Radio specific, “Emergency Radio” field, that determines which radio hosts Emergency Mode communications, must only be programmed on the “Primary” radio. Where as the “Talkgroup Mute Option”, and the “Enable Secondary Radio Transmit” fields must only be programmed on the “Secondary” radio. However, The “Cross Band Mute Option” must be programmed on both the “Primary” radio, and also on the “Secondary” radio. Similarly, the “Radio Swap” button-press, and the “Radio Swap” menu selection, that allow the radio-user to switch between the "Primary" radio and the "Secondary" radio, must also be programmed on both radios.

Back on the Dual Radio page, the “Fixed Swap-Menu” feature, allows the “Radio Swap” menu selection to always be located on the far-left menu button, and must also be programmed on both radios. In fact, in order to promote seamless operation from radio to radio, ALL button-presses and ALL menu-selections must be programmed identically on both radios; and because the Control Head looks to the “Primary” radio to host certain Radio Wide features, they must be programmed on the “Primary” radio. “Primary”-radio-hosted features include: PA Siren, Universal Relay Control, Gunlock, Horn and Lights, Auxiliary Control, Radio Lock, Ignition Switch, and including all Radio VIP Outputs and all DEK VIP Outputs. However, the related button-presses and menu-items for these features, must be programmed on both the “Primary” radio, and on the “Secondary” radio.

For more information on Dual Radio operation and programming, please refer to the Online Help’s Keystone Concept topic’s “Examples”, “How To’s” and “Related Features”.