Motorola MICOM-2ES/2RS/2TS ALE manual Using the MultiNet Feature

MICOM-2ES/2RS/2TS ALE Supplement to Owner’s Guide

Using the MultiNet Feature

Normally, a radio operating in the ALE mode receives and transmits only in its currently selected net. However, there are operational scenarios in which it is beneficial to enable radios to use the ALE functions while still being aware of what is going on in additional nets (for example, firefighters and paramedics must often respond to the same emergency), and be able of answering a call in another net. For this purpose, MICOM 2 radios offer the MultiNet feature.

When the MultiNet feature is enabled, a MICOM 2 radio can operate on multiple nets (up to 20). The operating characteristics then change as follows:

•Channels: each net has a group of assigned (receiving and associated transmitting) frequencies. The radio scans the channels in one net after the other, until all the nets have been scanned.

•Station addresses (the self-address and the net address used when responding to calls): the radio responds according to the self-address assigned to the station in its currently selected net (for a total of up to 20 self-addresses).

•Sounding: each radio sends soundings only within the currently selected net. Each radio scans all the channels in the currently selected net, one by one. Sounding is started 10 minutes after the unit is switched on. The sounding group interval is determined according to the programmed Sounding Auto Time.

During operation, the MICOM radio scans all the frequencies included in the defined nets:

•When the radio receives a call, it responds with the self-address that is programmed in the radio for that net.

•When initiating a call, you select the net you want to transmit to, and then select an address (a specific station, or any other type of address you wish to use). The radio then looks up the frequencies that are associated with the station you call and uses only those frequencies to call that station.

•LQA exchanges and sounding use only frequencies associated with the currently selected net.

Note that the time needed to scan multiple nets may be rather long, even when using the rather fast 5 channels/second scan rate. Moreover, the duration of a call set up request must also be long enough to ensure that your call reaches all the relevant nets. You can use the MaxScanCh parameter (an ALE programming option) to change the duration: the default, when AUTO is selected, is about 7 seconds; however you can select a different value, in the range of 1 to 59 seconds. Make sure to use the minimum value that ensures all the nets will hear your call set up request, because long durations are very disruptive.

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