Radio Equipment Operations

Radio Equipment and Operations

• Portable radios: handheld receiver-transmitters powered by a battery, with a limited range (approximately 1 mile) due to low power and shorter integrated antenna.
• Mobile radios: mounted in a vehicle, powered by the vehicle's battery, with a higher antenna, increasing the effective range.

Trunked Radio Systems

• Allow multiple users to operate on fewer frequencies, assigned to tower sites.
• Importance: efficient use of limited radio spectrum resources.

Conventional Radio Systems

• Use radio-to-radio communication or repeater sites to expand the communication range.
• Repeaters use more powerful radios and taller towers to receive and retransmit signals.
• Conventional systems traditionally use more frequencies, with several frequencies sitting idle for long periods.

ABC2 Rules of Radio Transmission

• A: Accuracy - ensure the message is received without errors.
• B: Brevity - avoid using unnecessary or repetitive words.
• C: Courtesy - respect reflected in tone of voice.
• C2: Clarity - ability to be understood, speaking clearly and concisely.

Improving Transmissions During Emergencies

• Minimize noise around you, avoiding wind noise and screams.
• Maintain composure and keep calm during stressful situations.
• Do not shout, as it can over-modulate the microphone and disrupt communications.

Initiating and Acknowledging Radio Transmissions

• When initiating traffic, state your badge number and the identifier of the person you are contacting.
• Provide your location when initiating contact or when responding to a call.
• Acknowledge radio transmissions by saying "understood", using the appropriate 10-code, or identifying yourself by badge number.

Interoperability and Plain Language

• Use plain language for multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional, and multi-discipline events to improve interoperability.
• Avoid using private codes or terms during these events.
• Language or terms may be unique to one jurisdiction or discipline and may not be common to others.

Phonetic Alphabet

• Used to improve clarity and understanding over the radio.
• Law enforcement in Missouri generally uses the Police (LAPD) Phonetic alphabet.
• Some agencies may use the International (military) alphabet.

Radio/Microphone Techniques

• Position the microphone at a 45-degree angle to avoid picking up breath sounds.
• Hold the microphone one inch from your lips, adjusting for volume and external noise.
• Listen before transmitting to ensure nobody else is talking.
• Think before speaking to avoid dead air or unprofessional transmissions.
• Key (push the talk button) and wait a few seconds before speaking, allowing the electronics to catch up.
• Be aware of the location of your radio antenna and its impact on transmission.

10-Code

• A list of codes used to convey common messages, such as:
  • 10-1: poor reception
  • 10-2: good reception
  • 10-3: stop transmitting
  • 10-4: message received, affirmative, ok
  • 10-5: relay this information to
  • ...and many more