beans_again?
configuring two-way mobile radios
The assignment is to program four different two-way radios with the same 3 channels so they can use a basic system and talk with one another. Easy, right? By the way, this was done for "fun." I don't make any money from this.
On this screen capture, we show how four different software packages let us configure one channel of the three: 462.725 MHz analog with a Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) of 223.
First, notice the same DCS is called "223" by three applications and "D223N" by the fourth.
Also, all four radios have different transmitter power outputs. One puts out 110 watts. Two are 100 watts. The fourth is 35 watts. The user's license allows them to transmit up to 50 watts. So the three ~100 watt radios need to be calmed down. One allows a menu choice of either 110 watts or 10 watts. So it needs to be set to 10 watts. The other two are set to low power: 30 and 35 watts respectively. The fourth is set to run wide-open throttle at 35 watts.
Now, imagine you're programming an ambulance radio with 104 channels that ties in with eight different systems. The only way you can possibly get that much stuff right is to have a back and forth with the customer to see how they use the equipment, what they need, and expect. Then, several people with different experience and backgrounds must proofread your plan. You also need to test.
Once, I was asked to proofread channels for a under-construction system with about 70 channels. I found a catastrophic problem. My boss tells me, "Go tell the chief systems engineer." The chief's face turns red and he begins shaking. Everyone in the office heard him yell, "The consultant we paid [tens of thousands of dollars] to figure this out thinks it's ok!" English translation: "go away, Chuck." I knew the consultant. They were the best available talent but they made a rare mistake.
I say poe-tay-toe you say puh-tah-toe...
Art grade image.
Source: four screen captures of various configuration application screens.
Please do not copy this image for any reason.
configuring two-way mobile radios
The assignment is to program four different two-way radios with the same 3 channels so they can use a basic system and talk with one another. Easy, right? By the way, this was done for "fun." I don't make any money from this.
On this screen capture, we show how four different software packages let us configure one channel of the three: 462.725 MHz analog with a Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) of 223.
First, notice the same DCS is called "223" by three applications and "D223N" by the fourth.
Also, all four radios have different transmitter power outputs. One puts out 110 watts. Two are 100 watts. The fourth is 35 watts. The user's license allows them to transmit up to 50 watts. So the three ~100 watt radios need to be calmed down. One allows a menu choice of either 110 watts or 10 watts. So it needs to be set to 10 watts. The other two are set to low power: 30 and 35 watts respectively. The fourth is set to run wide-open throttle at 35 watts.
Now, imagine you're programming an ambulance radio with 104 channels that ties in with eight different systems. The only way you can possibly get that much stuff right is to have a back and forth with the customer to see how they use the equipment, what they need, and expect. Then, several people with different experience and backgrounds must proofread your plan. You also need to test.
Once, I was asked to proofread channels for a under-construction system with about 70 channels. I found a catastrophic problem. My boss tells me, "Go tell the chief systems engineer." The chief's face turns red and he begins shaking. Everyone in the office heard him yell, "The consultant we paid [tens of thousands of dollars] to figure this out thinks it's ok!" English translation: "go away, Chuck." I knew the consultant. They were the best available talent but they made a rare mistake.
I say poe-tay-toe you say puh-tah-toe...
Art grade image.
Source: four screen captures of various configuration application screens.
Please do not copy this image for any reason.