FUTURECOM P25 Vehicular Radio Extender User Guide

VRX1000
P25 VEHICULAR RADIO
EXTENDER

Manual Revisions

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.

Document Copyrights
No part of this manual may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, for any purpose without the written permission of Futurecom.

Disclaimer
The information in this document is carefully examined and is believed to be entirely reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies. Futurecom Systems Group, ULC. reserves the right to make changes to any products herein to improve reliability, function or design. Futurecom does not assume any liability arising out of the application or use of any product or circuit described herein.

Trademarks
MOTOROLA, ASTRO, XTL TM 2500, XTL TM 5000, XTS TM 1500, XTS TM 2500, XTS TM 5000, APX TM 4000, APX TM 4500, APX TM 6000, APX TM 7000, APX TM 6500, APX TM 7500, MDC1200 are trademarks of Motorola Solutions Inc.

Commercial Warranty and Service

Futurecom Systems Group, ULC. warrants to the original purchaser all standard products sold by Futurecom Systems Group, ULC. to be free of defects in material and workmanship for one (1) year from the date of shipment from Futurecom Systems Group ULC. Futurecom’s warranty hereunder DOES NOT cover the following :
(i) Defects or damage resulting from use of the product in other than its normal and customary manner.
(ii) Defects or damage from improper installation, testing, operation, or maintenance.
(iii) Defects or damage due to alterations, modifications or adjustments carried out by the Buyer without Futurecom’s explicit approval.
(iv) Defects or damage from misuse, accident, water or neglect.
(v) Freight costs to the repair depot.
(vi) Scratches or other cosmetic damage to the product surfaces that do not affect the operation of the product.
(vii) Normal wear and tear. The warranty set forth herein is conditioned upon proper storage, installation, use, and maintenance in accordance with the applicable written recommendation of Futurecom. The warranty furnished hereunder does not extend to damage to items purchased hereunder resulting in whole or in part from the use of components, accessories, parts or supplies not furnished by Futurecom Systems Group, ULC.
Futurecom’s sole obligation shall be to repair or replace, at Futurecom’s option, any defective component or item and pay transportation expenses for such replacement at no charge to Buyer who shall provide labor for the removal of the defective component or item and installation of its replacement at no charge to Futurecom. Buyer shall bear all risk of loss or damage to returned goods while in transit. In the event no defect or breach of warranty is discovered by Futurecom upon receipt of any returned item, the item will be returned to Buyer at Buyer’s expense and Buyer will reimburse Futurecom for the transportation charges, labor, and associated charges incurred in testing the allegedly defective item.
Except as expressly provided herein, Futurecom makes no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, with respect to any goods, parts, and service provided by Futurecom including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The sole and exclusive remedy for breach of any warranty is limited to the remedies provided in the paragraph above. Futurecom shall not, in any event, be liable for any other damages arising out of or in connection with the furnishing of goods, parts or service hereunder, or the performance, use of, or inability to use any goods, parts or service, or otherwise, whether based on contract, tort or any other legal theory.
To exercise this warranty, please contact Futurecom’s Administration Department in Concord, Ontario, Canada at 1-800 701 9180 to obtain a return material authorization (RMA) and shipping instructions. No product will be accepted for return without an RMA. The repair of a product by Futurecom pursuant to this warranty is warranted for the balance of the original warranty period, or at least 90 days from the date of shipment to the Buyer of the repaired product.

Notations Used in This Manual

The following notations are used throughout this document:

NOTE:
A clarifying statement that expands on the text that follows.

IMPORTANT!
An important statement that should be considered and/or implemented in order to achieve adequate equipment operation.

ATTENTION!
An instruction that must be followed to ensure compliance with the appropriate standards or proper equipment operations.

FCC LABELS:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference. and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FCC SECTION 15.105 INFORMATION TO THE USER:
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
— Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
— Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
— Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
— Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

RF Energy Exposure Compliance, Awareness and Control Information and Operational Instructions

ATTENTION!
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Futurecom Systems Group, ULC. could void the User’s authority to operate the equipment. To satisfy FCC/IC RF exposure requirements for mobile transmitting devices, the minimum separation distances specified in Table 1 should be maintained. To ensure compliance, operations at closer to this distance are not allowed.

ATTENTION!
Futurecom requires the P25 VRX1000 operator to ensure FCC Requirements for Radio Frequency Exposure are met. The minimum distance between all possible personnel and the body of the VRX1000 equipped vehicle is specified in the “RF Safety” booklet. Failure to observe the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) distance exclusion area around the antenna may expose persons within this area to RF energy above the FCC exposure limit for bystanders (general population). It is the responsibility of the repeater operator to ensure MPE limits are observed at all times during repeater transmissions. The repeater operator must ensure at all times that no person comes within MPE distance from the vehicle body

USA Users:
Do not use the VRX1000 in the frequency band 406.0 – 406.1MHz. This frequency band is reserved for distress beacons.

ATTENTION!
This radio is intended for use in occupational/controlled conditions, where users have full knowledge of their exposure and can exercise control over their exposure to meet FCC limits. This radio device is NOT authorized for the general population, consumers, or any other use. It is the responsibility of the VRX1000 Operator to ensure that Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits are observed at all times during repeater transmissions. If this vehicular repeater is used in combination with a separate mobile radio transmitter, the Repeater operator must ensure at all times that no person comes within the MPE distance from the vehicle body to ensure compliance with the FCC’s/IC’s RF energy exposure limits for the general population. The minimum lateral distance between all possible personnel and the body of the VRX1000 equipped vehicle must be as specified in Table 1. Failure to observe the MPE distance exclusion area around the antenna may expose persons within this area to RF energy above the FCC exposure limit for bystanders (general population).

Table 1 Minimum Lateral Distance from Antenna – VRX1000

NOTE:
50% Tx duty cycle is defined as Push To Talk (PTT), 50% Talk – 50% Listen.
100% Tx duty cycle is defined as Push To Talk (PTT), 100% Talk.

IMPORTANT
The maximum allowed gain of the λ/4 Omni-directional antenna for the VRX1000 is Unity (0dBd).

RF Exposure Label

The RF Exposure Label should be affixed in the vehicle beside the mobile radio control head. The label should be in the direct view of the Repeater operator. The label is supplied with the VRX1000.

FCC Label

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Installation Requirements for Compliance with Radio Frequency (RF) Energy Exposure Safety Standards

ATTENTION!
To ensure compliance with RF Energy Safety Standards:

• Install only Futurecom / Motorola approved antennas and accessories and set conducted power into the VRX1000 antenna equal to or lower than the approved power levels – refer to Table 1.

Introduction

The VRX1000 is a simplex radio coverage extender, which is interfaced to a compatible remote mount Motorola Mobile Radio and enables Portable Subscriber Units (PSU) to be used in areas where only Mobile Subscriber Unit (MSU) coverage is available and PSU coverage is either intermittent or completely absent. Installed in the trunk of a car, fire truck, armored vehicle, ambulance, the VRX1000 extends radio communications to the PSU users who are outside of the vehicle, inside a nearby building or in any marginal portable radio coverage areas. The VRX1000 extends voice (analog or digital, clear or encrypted) communications and supports key trunking system features. The VRX1000 can be configured to provide various advanced options to the users.

Identifying Your VRX1000 Model

Frequency Band of Operation
Depending on the frequency band of operation of the APX Mobile Subscriber Unit (MSU) and VRX1000, the VRX1000 models are classified as follows:

• In-Band – when the MSU and VRX1000 operate in the same frequency band.
• Cross-Band – when the MSU and VRX1000 operate in two different frequency bands.

Cross-Band
Cross-Band VRX1000 models do not include any filters on the MSU side since the MSU and VRX1000 are not intended to simultaneously operate in the same frequency band. In single band MSU configurations the MSU and VRX1000 operate in different frequency bands.

VRX1000 Operation Basics

The operation of the VRX1000 is determined by the following:

• Firmware, Tier Options, and programming settings of the VRX1000 (VRX1000 personality).
• Firmware options and programming settings of the MSU that is interfaced to the VRX1000.
• Configuration capabilities and programmed settings of the radio system.
• Type and programming settings of the portable radios used for communications through the VRX1000.

IMPORTANT!
Depending on the selected personality settings and configuration capabilities of the complete radio system infrastructure, the features/options described throughout this document may or may not be applicable to the specific VRX1000 operation.

Powering up the VRX1000
The VRX1000 powers up together with the MSU. The power-up mode and channel are programmable. Depending on the programmed personality, the VRX1000 can power up in one of the following states:

• VRX1000 Disabled mode, last selected VRX1000 channel
• OFF mode
• SYSTEM mode, last selected VRX1000 channel
• SYSTEM mode preprogrammed VRX1000 channel
• LOCAL mode, last selected VRX1000 channel
• LOCAL mode preprogrammed VRX1000 channel
• If the VRX1000 powers upon a ‘strapped’ mobile radio channel, the VRX1000 will be steered according to the Talk Group selected on the MSU. The steering may involve both the VRX1000 channel and mode change.

Turning ON the VRX1000
When the MSU is powered up, the VRX1000 can be activated by one or more of the methods described in the following section.

• The VRX1000 is ON when the SYSTEM (or optionally LOCAL) mode of operation is selected.
• The VRX1000 is OFF when OFF mode is selected.
• The VRX1000 is disabled when a “VRX1000 Disabled” Mode / Channel is selected on the APX MSU or if the currently selected VRX1000 and MSU modes are incompatible (such as TDMA MSU mode and P25 Digital VRX1000 channel).

NOTE:
The VRX1000 can only be activated when a compatible “VRX1000 Enabled” mode /channel is selected on the APX MSU.

Activating the VRX1000 via the Control Head
Ensure the MSU is powered up and a VRX1000 Enabled TG / channel is selected on the control head.
To activate the VRX1000:

• Press the DVRS menu item to enter the ‘DVR/VRX1000 Control Mode’.
• Once in the ‘DVR/VRX1000 Control Mode’ screen, press the MODE button to toggle the available VRX1000 modes until the desired mode is selected.
• Press the SEL button or wait the preprogrammed time until the ‘DVR/VRX1000 control Mode’ screen times out. The last selected VRX1000 mode becomes effective.
• A long press of the DVRS menu item can be programmed to turn the VRX1000 ON/OFF.
  Pressing the DVRS button allows the user to enter the ‘DVR / VRX1000 Control Mode’ and to select the desired VRX1000 mode and channel.

Turning OFF the VRX1000
Deactivating the VRX1000 via the MSU Control Head
To deactivate the VRX1000 via the MSU control head:

• Press the DVRS button to enter the ‘DVR/ VRX1000 Control Mode’, then press the MODE button until VR OFF is displayed and either press the SEL button or wait for the screen timeout (6 seconds). OR
• Select a ‘DVR Disabled’ TG / Mode / Zone on the MSU OR
• Power down the MSU if radio operation is no longer required.

Selecting VRX1000 Channel
When a ‘DVRS Enabled’ TG / Channel is selected on the MSU, the user may enter the ‘DVRS/VRX Control Mode’ by pressing the assigned DVRS button on the MSU control head and then changing the VRX1000 mode/channel/status as described below:

Independent VRX1000 Channel Change
To change the VRX1000 channel:

• Press the DVRS button and observe the display changing to the ‘DVR/VRX Control Mode’ screen with the top line displaying the currently selected VRX1000 mode and channel.
• Use the MSU control head navigation keys to scroll through the available VRX1000 channels. Once the desired VRX1000 channel is selected, press the SEL button or wait until the control mode times out.

Strapped VRX1000 Channel Change
The VRX1000 mode and channel may be programmed to be strapped to the specific MSU TG/channel. In this case, selecting a specific MSU TG / channel would automatically force the VRX1000 to revert to a given VRX1000 channel and/or mode. For example, selecting a VRX1000 Enabled TG named ‘DISPATCH’ on the MSU CH may automatically force the VRX1000 to switch to Channel 1, SYSTEM Mode. When strapping is enabled, and the VRX1000 channel follows the MSU TG/mode selection, the user may still be allowed (if enabled by the VRX1000 programmed personality) to change the VRX1000 channel by pressing the DVRS button and then turning the mode knob.

Local Mode Indication
When the VRX1000 is operating in the LOCAL mode, the “DVRS/VRX Enabled” PSU User can see the “LOCAL ONLY” message displayed on the PSU screen if Status broadcast is enabled in the VRX1000 as described in the ‘Status Broadcast’ paragraph. The above indication is only available on ‘DVRS/VRX Enabled’ P25 PSUs.

Appendix 1 – VRX1000 Specifications – Preliminary

General Specifications

Dimensions: Height / Width / Depth| 45mm x 175mm x 160mm (cross band, no filters)
---|---
Weight| 2kg / 4.4 lbs (cross band, no filters)
Channel Spacing| 12.5 or 25 kHz programmable (compatible with NPSPAC at 4 kHz deviation)
Number of Channels| 192
Number of MSU Modes (VRXEnabled)| 2047 Entries
CTCSS/DCS| Programmable per Analog Channel
Power Supply| 13.8V DC +/- 20%, negative ground only
DC Current Drain (VRX1000 Only):
VRX1000 Off
VRX1000 Standby
VRX1000 Receive
Transmit| 0.01 A-Max
0.8 A
0.8 A
3.0 A
Operating Temperature| -30ºC to +60ºC
Storage Temperature| -40°C to +85°C
Protection Against Liquids| IP54
Antenna Impedance| 50 Ohms
Duty Cycle| 50% Receive / 50% Transmit
External Connectors: Antenna

Computer Interface
Mobile Radio

Auxiliary / Options

DC Power

| Mini UHF
Mini USB (programming only)
Single-ended input voltage 0.3V – 2.8V, 12Mbps max.,
1 MOhm input impedance, 31 – 42.1 Ohm output
impedanceDB25
RS232: 115 kbps max., +/-3V min. input, 5 kOhm input impedance, 300 Ohm output impedance Analog audio ports: 200 kOhm input impedance, 15 Ohm output impedanceDB15 (Y cable)
M12 Circular

450-512
406.1-430
450-470| 764-775
851-869
768-776
851-869

Frequency Stability
(-30°C to +60°C; +25°C Ref.)| +/- 0.75ppm
FM Hum and Noise     12.5 / 25 kHz| 34 dB / 40 dB
Audio Response| +1, -3 dB of 6 dB / octave pre-emphasis characteristic over 300 Hz – 3 kHz
Audio Distortion| <2%

450-512
406.1-430450-470| 764-775
851-869
768-776
851-869

Receiver Sensitivity
Analog 12 dB SINAD
Digital P25 5% BER| -115 dBm
-115 dBm
---|---
Frequency Stability (-30°C to +60°C; +25°C Ref.)| +/- 0.75ppm
Selectivity 12.5 / 25 kHz| 60 dB / 70 dB
Intermodulation| 70 dB
Spurious Rejection| 70 dB
Analog Mode Deviation 12.5 / 25 kHz| +/-2.5 kHz / +/-5 kHz
Frequency Deviation for C4FM (P25) Low Level High Level| 841 — 1037 Hz
2543 — 3110 Hz
Analog Mode FM Hum and Noise 12.5 /
25 kHz| 34 dB / 40 dB
Audio Output (Repeater Detect Audio)| 600 mV RMS nominal, flat response
Audio Response| +1, -3 dB of 6 dB / octave de-emphasis characteristic
over 300 Hz — 3 kHz
Audio Distortion| <2%

Contact Information

Technical Support
905-660-5548
support@futurecom.com

Orders
Please contact Motorola / Drop Ship
Return Authorizations
1-800-701-9180
Head Office and Manufacturing
3277 Langstaff Rd
Concord, Ontario L4K 5P8
Canada
905-660-5548
www.futurecom.com

Futurecom Systems Group, ULC.
3277 Langstaff Rd
Concord, Ontario L4K 5P8
Canada
1-800-701-9180
© Futurecom Systems Group, ULC 2014

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