Course Welcome

Welcome to IS-0951 DHS Component Radio Interoperability Training. This training is based on information contained in the DHS Joint Wireless Program Communications Interoperability Policy #TB-15-001.0. The training establishes a common plan for interoperability and radio programming across DHS agencies.

Course Objectives

Objectives: At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain the capabilities of land mobile radios and radio systems
Determine which interoperability channels are programmed into DHS radios
Locate interoperability channels on portable and mobile radios
Identify when and how to use interoperability channels in an operational environment

Lesson 1: Radio Basics

Lesson Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, students will:

Explain common terminology relating to radio equipment and systems.
Identify which radio frequency bands DHS agencies utilize and how this relates to interoperability with other agencies.
Explain common radio system functions and how they impact ability to communicate effectively.
Explain basic radio functions and operation in order to increase proficiency when using portable and mobile radio equipment.
Identify how and when to use or update encryption capabilities with DHS land mobile radio equipment.

Radio Proficiency/Training

Users should be as proficient with their radio as they are with their other critical life-safety equipment. Radios are a critical communications lifeline during times when help is needed.

Prior to this course, it is expected that each agency will provide basic radio training that focuses upon the unique aspects of their operation and types of equipment used.

Personnel should contact their agency’s designated communications technical personnel to obtain agency-specific radio information.

Radio Terminology

Encryption – Methodology that encodes a voice or data message to protect its content from unauthorized reception.
(In the) Clear – Unencrypted radio transmissions that can be heard by all persons who can monitor the frequency, including those with radio scanners and smartphone apps.
Hailing Channel (aka Calling Channel) – Channels designated for the purpose of making initial contact when approaching or arriving at an event. May or may not be monitored by dispatchers or other personnel.
Keyloader – Device which physically connects to a radio to allow the manual downloading of encryption keys.
Over-the-Air-Rekeying (OTAR) – Method to transmit encryption keys over the radio system. Encryption keys are received by the radio, and (normally) automatically updated.
Push-To-Talk (PTT) – Refers to the microphone button which is pushed to transmit and released to receive transmissions.
Soft Key – Buttons on a radio controlling various functions programmed into the radio. Often found directly adjacent to the display denoting the button’s function.
Strapped – Encryption is permanently attached to a channel and is always on, cannot be controlled by the user.

Why Use Radios?

When used properly, radios are a life-safety tool that provide the following:

Effective interoperable communications among agencies when managing unplanned events, planned events, or day-to-day operations
Ease of use, especially during times of distress. (Select the correct channel and use the push-to-talk button to broadcast a message)
Durability and ruggedness that exceeds other non public safety grade communications devices
Reliable means of communications without competition from the general public when cellular networks become congested

Real-World Application

Explosive device detonates during a large-scale planned event in an urban area causing chaos and multiple casualties

Cellular network overloaded
Public safety agencies overwhelmed

If a radio operator is on the scene with a radio, they should be able to immediately accomplish the following:

Broadcast or receive critical information such as suspect location/descriptions to users across all federal, state, and local agencies
Request medical/EMS response
Provide information on potential secondary devices, area closures, etc.

Radio System Components

Portable (handheld) radios

Lower power, shorter range

Mobile (vehicle mounted) radios

Greater power, longer range

Dispatch Centers

Offer extensive capabilities to support users in the field, such as patching users together, relaying information, and providing instructions/guidance

Frequency Bands

Knowing your agency’s radio frequency band helps determine compatibility or common interoperability options with other agencies.

HF = High Frequency: 3-30 MHz
VHF = Very High Frequency: 30-50MHz - Low Band & High Band: 148-174 MHz
UHF = Ultra High Frequency: 406-420 MHz and 450-512 MHz
700 MHz: 758-805 MHz
800 MHz: 806-824 MHz and 851-869 MHz

To communicate, the operator's radio must be on a channel in the same frequency band as the other users

Radio System Information

Trunked Analog and Digital Graph - full description available at link.

Conventional Systems

Conventional radios operate on fixed channels and each user group is permanently assigned a fixed frequency or a set of frequencies

Trunked Systems

When operating on a trunked radio system, users will hear a “talk permit tone” after keying the mic, and must pause briefly before speaking

Analog

Gradual deterioration with increasing static or noise as a user moves out of range

Digital

Very sharp drop-off when a user moves out of range
User may hear some digital sounds like “blips and bleeps”, then other user will suddenly disappear

Graph Description

Simplex vs Repeater

Simplex (aka “Radio-to-Radio”, “Direct”, “Talkaround”, or “Car-to-Car”)
- Radios are “off network” and talk directly to each other
- Shorter/limited distance
- Best for localized operations, short-range tactical communications, and when out of repeater range
Repeater
- Repeaters receive transmissions from the field and retransmit (repeat) them with greater power and usually from a higher altitude, allowing communications over increased distances
- Coverage distance greater than Simplex
- Best for communicating over wide areas

Close-up photograph of the radio display screen on a (Motorola APX model) portable radio. The radio screen shot contains the time, battery strength indicator, zone name, channel name, and three menu items across the bottom. Along the top of the screen is an icon of a small arrow pointing to the right in between two vertical bars indicating the radio is currently selected on a simplex channel. There is a red circle around the arrow icon to highlight it as the key topic from ths slide. The radio display contains the following text: the time of 10:05 in the upper left corner, Zone IO1 in the center with DHSTAC directly underneath representing the Zone and Channel Name. Three menu items across the bottom read Mute, Clck, Zone from left to right.

Simplex and Repeater Diagrams

REPEATER

Example: DHSNET or DHS-RPT

SIMPLEX

Example: DHSTAC or DHS-SIM

Important Note:

Radios contain both Simplex and Repeater channels
Know which channels in the radio are simplex and which channels require a repeater
Radio users must be in range or within the coverage area of an active repeater to use repeater channels
If a repeater is not available, use a Simplex channel as long as you are in range of other users on the same channel
Mobile radios have greater range than portable radios
A repeater channel has greater range than a simplex channel.

Coverage Range

The coverage range of your radio will depend on many factors:

Transmitting power, type of antenna
Well maintained radio equipment
Terrain (mountainous/hilly vs flat)
Environment (urban vs rural)

Radio waves rely on a line-of-sight concept, and can be blocked or absorbed by obstacles, such as buildings or elevated terrain, which can reduce your coverage range

If possible, test radio communications to ensure effective coverage

Basic Radio Functions

By knowing the basic functions of your radio, operators will be able to select the correct zone and channel, and communicate effectively with other users:

Zone Selector: allows a user to select the desired zone, which refers to groups of channels in a radio
Channel Selector: allows selection of one of the multiple channels found within zones
PTT (Push To Talk): the microphone button that is pushed and held, in order to transmit
Home Button: when pressed and held down for an extended period (1-2 seconds), normally returns the radio to users’ primary operating channel, pressing the Home Button momentarily vs pressing and holding may also perform different functions. Home button may not be available on all radios and may be programmed differently between agencies or different radios.
Orange Button: often used as an “Emergency Call” button, but not always the case, programming varies (it is very important for users to be aware of and understand whether the Emergency Call feature is active on their radios)

Changing Zones

Using an interoperability channel may require the operator to change zones in their radio

Directions:

Press the Soft Button under “ZONE.”
If “ZONE” doesn’t appear on the radio display screen, press the right or left arrows until it does.
Press the arrows to toggle through the zones until the desired zone is identified.
Press the HOME button or the SEL soft button to select the desired zone.

Close-up photograph of the front panel of a portable radio (Motorola XTS model) showing a display screen with buttons underneath. The radio screen shot contains the time, battery strength indicator, zone name, channel name, and three menu items across the bottom. There is a number 1 below the "Zone" menu item on the screen, numbers 2 and 3 above the arrow buttons on the front panel, and a number 4 over the "Home" button on the front panel. The radio display contains the following text: the time of 11:15 in the upper left corner, IO2 DHS-RPT in the center representing the Zone and Channel Name. Three menu items across the bottom read Mute, Clck, Zone from left to right.

Close-up photograph of the front panel of a portable radio (Motorola APX model) showing a display screen with buttons underneath. The radio screen shot contains the time, battery strength indicator, zone name, channel name, and three menu items across the bottom. There is a number 1 below the "Zone" menu item on the screen, numbers 2 and 3 above the arrow buttons on the front panel, and a number 4 next to the left "soft button" on the front panel below the radio display screen. The radio display contains the following text: the time of 10:01 in the upper left corner, Zone IO1 in the center with DHSNET directly underneath representing the Zone and Channel Name. Three menu items across the bottom read Mute, Clck, Zone from left to right.

Additional Radio Features

In addition to the basic functions, radios contain:

several buttons
switches and knobs
added features
functions
capabilities

Not all radios are alike - each agency programs and configures its radios based on their unique mission and operational needs

Encryption

Encryption encodes a voice or data message to protect its content from unauthorized reception
Using encryption does not decrease range or coverage area
Radios use “encryption keys” which are loaded by attaching a device called a “Keyloader” to the radio, or through “Over the Air Rekeying” (OTAR)
Sensitive, but unclassified information, may be transmitted over encrypted channels

Using Encryption

To participate in an encrypted conversation, all radios must use the same encryption key
When encryption is required, interoperability with other agencies requires coordination to ensure commonality and to prevent any sensitive radio communications from being transmitted in the “clear”

Encryption On/Off

Portable Radio Features

◯ = Clear
∅ = Encrypted

∅ - Icon will appear on radio display when turned on
The icon will flash when receiving an encrypted transmission

In some cases, users must use a switch to turn encryption on and off. In other cases, encryption is permanently attached (“strapped”) to a channel and cannot be controlled by the user.

Encryption (APX) arrow pointing to center dial

Encryption (XG-100) Arrow pointing to encryption features on right dial

Encryption (XTS5000) Arrow pointing to center dial clear/encrypted

Lesson Summary

Participants should now be able to:

Explain common terminology relating to radio equipment and systems.
Identify which radio frequency bands DHS agencies utilize and how this relates to interoperability with other agencies.
Explain common radio system functions and how they impact ability to communicate effectively.
Explain basic radio functions and operation in order to increase proficiency when using portable and mobile radio equipment.
Identify how and when to use or update encryption capabilities with DHS land mobile radio equipment.

Lesson 2: Interoperability

Lesson Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, students will:

Explain the concept of communications interoperability
Identify the DHS common interoperability channels programmed into mobile or portable radio equipment
Navigate to and locate the DHS common interoperability channels programmed into mobile or portable radio equipment
Identify the different types of interoperability channels programmed into mobile or portable radio equipment
Differentiate between repeater and simplex channels
Apply the steps necessary to establish radio communications during planned or unplanned events

Operability/Interoperability

Operability - The ability to establish and sustain communications in support of day-to-day mission operations.
Interoperability - The ability to communicate among jurisdictions, disciplines, and levels of government, using a variety of frequency bands, as needed and as authorized.

Interoperability is not the ability for everyone to talk to everyone else

National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG)

DHS pocket guide used by federal, state, and local public safety agencies to support communications interoperability for planned and unplanned events
Specifics on proper use of federal and non-federal interoperability channels, for example:
- Federal IR (Optional Zone IO-3 & IO-4)
- Federal LE (Optional Zone IO-5 & IO-6)
- Non-Federal VTAC (Optional Zone IO-7)
- Non-Federal UTAC (Optional Zone IO-8)
- Non-Federal 700 MHz National Interoperability
- Non-Federal 800 MHz National Interoperability
- DOJ 25 Cities Project
Visit the NIFOG website to download the NIFOG pdf.
Visit the NIFOG website for more information.

Obstacles to Interoperability

Lack of awareness or familiarity with interoperability channels programmed in radios
Only certain people are familiar with the appropriate process to establish interoperability
Communications personnel not involved in planning process
Failure to select the most effective interoperability solution to support the operational requirements of an event or incident
Lack of on-going radio training, followed by limited opportunity to practice using interoperability channels on a regular basis

Communications Support

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) / Incident Command System (ICS) structure includes a Communications Unit as part of the incident management organization.

The Communications Unit provides communications support during planned or unplanned events

Often utilized by state/local public safety agencies
Supervised by a Communications Unit Leader (COML)

Interoperability Channels

Using common interoperability channels is one of the most effective means of communicating among agencies.

In accordance with DHS Communications Interoperability Directive 034-02, radios across all DHS components will be programmed with a common standard interoperability template.

Interoperability channels will be programmed into specific “Interoperability Zones” in radios, separate from other agency-specific channels.

Interoperability Zone for VHF Radios

The following DHS agencies use radios in the VHF frequency band:

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
United States Coast Guard (USCG)
United States Secret Service (USSS)

If you have a VHF radio, you should know how to find the DHS common interoperability channels: DHSNET and DHSTAC

Once your radio is reprogrammed with the new DHS common template, the 16 interoperability channels in Zone IO1 will appear as shown in the table in the following screen.

If the radio has not yet been reprogrammed with the new DHS template, then the common channels may be in other existing zones within your radio.

Zone IO1

DHS Common repeater and simplex channels (DHSNET & DHSTAC) are used for interoperability among DHS components
IR (Incident Response) Channels: Interoperability among all federal agencies, and may also be accessed by state and local agencies
LE (Law Enforcement) Channels: Interoperability among all federal law enforcement agencies, and may also be accessed by state and local law enforcement

Zone: IO1 (Mandatory VHF)

Ch#	Name	Type	Mode	Secure (Selectable = The ability to choose either encryption or clear)	Notes
1	DHSNET	Repeater	Digital	Selectable	DHS Repeater (CKR 88)
2	DHSTAC	Simplex	Digital	Selectable	DHS Simplex (CKR 88)
3	NC 1	Repeater	Analog	Clear	Calling Channel
4	IR 1	Repeater	Analog	Clear	Command
5	IR 2	Repeater	Analog	Clear	Medical
6	IR 3	Repeater	Analog	Clear	Logistics
7	IR 4	Repeater	Analog	Clear	Convoy
8	IR 5	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of NC 1
9	IR 6	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 1
10	IR 7	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 2
11	IR 8	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 3
12	IR 9	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 4
13	LE A	Simplex	Analog	Clear	LE Calling Channel
14	LE 1	Repeater	Analog	Clear	LE Tactical Operations
15	LE 2	Repeater	Digital	Clear	LE Tactical Operations
16	LE 3	Repeater	Digital	Clear	LE Tactical Operations

The DHSTAC and IR5 channels are highlighted because they are the most important to remember.

Interoperability Zone for UHF Radios

The following DHS agencies use radios in the UHF frequency band:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Federal Protective Service (FPS)

If you have a UHF radio, you should know how to find the DHS common interoperability channels: DHS-RPT and DHS-SIM

Once your radio is reprogrammed with the new DHS common template, the 16 interoperability channels in Zone IO2 will appear as shown in the table on the following slide

If the radio has not yet been reprogrammed with the new DHS template, then the common channels may be in other existing zones within your radio.

Zone IO2

DHS Common Repeater and simplex channels (DHS-RPT & DHS-SIM) are used for interoperability among DHS components
IR (Incident Response) Channels: Interoperability among all federal agencies, and may also be accessed by state and local agencies
LE (Law Enforcement) Channels: Interoperability among all federal law enforcement agencies, and may also be accessed by state and local law enforcement

Zone: IO2 (Mandatory UHF)

Ch#	Name	Type	Mode	Secure (Selectable = The ability to choose either encryption or clear)	Notes
1	DHS-RPT	Repeater	Digital	Selectable	DHS Repeater (CKR 88)
2	DHS-SIM	Simplex	Digital	Selectable	DHS Simplex (CKR 88)
3	NC 2	Repeater	Analog	Clear	Calling Channel
4	IR 10	Repeater	Analog	Clear
5	IR 11	Repeater	Analog	Clear
6	IR 12	Repeater	Analog	Clear
7	IR 13	Repeater	Analog	Clear
8	IR 14	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Convoy
9	IR 15	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of NC 2
10	IR 16	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 10
11	IR 17	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 11
12	IR 18	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 12
13	LE B	Simplex	Analog	Clear	LE Calling Channel
14	LE 10	Repeater	Analog	Clear	LE Tactical Operations
15	LE 11	Repeater	Digital	Clear	LE Tactical Operations
16	LE 12	Repeater	Digital	Clear	LE Tactical Operations

The DHS-SIM and IR15 channels are highlighted because they are the most important to remember.

Alternate Forms of Communications

When radios are not available, or cannot be used reliably to establish interoperability, agencies should consider alternative methods of communications, such as:

Assigning a representative to an incident facility (e.g., Command Post, Coordination Center, etc.)
Combining or grouping personnel from different agencies with a designated means of communications

Selecting the Correct Channels

There are several things to consider when selecting the appropriate interoperability channel:

Know which interoperability channels are programmed into the radio and how to locate them;
Use of interoperability channels should be part of a pre-established or coordinated plan;
An operator should be given instructions regarding which zone and channel to use;
When using “repeater” channels, an operator must be in range of an active repeater, otherwise NO ONE will hear you;
Simplex channels may be used for short distance, off-network communications, as long as you are in range of other users on the same channel.

Radio Communications Flow

During planned or unplanned events, radio communication should be attempted in the following order:

Step 1: Use the channel designated for the incident or event; Step 2: Use the channel you last had reliable communications; Step 3: (use encryption first, then try without) If VHF, make contact on the DHSTAC channel; if UHF, make contact on the DHS-SIM channel; Step 4: If VHF, make contact on the IR 5 calling channel; if UHF, make contact on the IR 15 calling channel; Step 5: Try communication via any other means necessary (e.g., cell phone); Step 6:If radio communications are unsuccessful, report to the nearest command post location or equivalent

Sample of a Quick Reference Guide

Quick-reference cards or “job aids” provide simple instructions on how to use common radio functions and display the radio’s zone and channel programming

Image of a sample quick reference card with instructions on using a portable radio (Motorola XTS model). The image contains photographs of the radio from different angles and sides, along with text showing what functions are associated with each button, switch, knob, or item on the radio display screen.

Course Summary

There are many ways to improve awareness of radio communications and interoperability.

Seek opportunities to maintain skill level and proficiency with radio equipment by:
- Encouraging personnel to regularly practice switching to the appropriate DHS common channel on their radios
- Including interoperability and radio training as part of regularly scheduled testing and training exercises
Participate in exercises with other federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and non-governmental entities
Include designated communications technical personnel as early as possible in the planning process for planned events, day-to-day operations, unplanned events, and training exercises

Lesson 2: Interoperability

Lesson Objectives

Participants should now be able to:

Explain the concept of communications interoperability
Identify the DHS common interoperability channels programmed into mobile or portable radio equipment
Navigate to and locate the DHS common interoperability channels programmed into mobile or portable radio equipment
Identify the different types of interoperability channels programmed into mobile or portable radio equipment
Differentiate between repeater and simplex channels
Apply the steps necessary to establish radio communications during planned or unplanned events