Vertex Standard VX-177 manual Basic Arts Setup and Operation

ARTS™ (AUTOMATIC RANGE TRANSPONDER SYSTEM)

The ARTS™ feature uses DCS signaling to inform both parties when you and another ARTS™-equipped station are within communications range. This may be particularly use- ful during Search-and Rescue situations, where is important to stay in contact with other members of your group.

Both stations must set up their DCS codes to the same code number, then activate their ARTS™ feature using the command appropriate for their radio. Alert ringers may be acti- vated, if desired.

Whenever you push the PTT switch, or every 25 (or 15) seconds after ARTS™ is activated, your radio will transmit a signal which includes a (subaudible) DCS signal for about 1 second. If the other radio is in range, the beeper will sound (if enabled) and the display will show “IN.RNG” as opposed to the out of range display “OUT.RNG” in which ARTS™ operation begins.

Whether you talk or not, the polling every 15 or 25 seconds will

continue until you de-activate ARTS™. Every 10 minutes, moreover, you can have your radio transmit your callsign via CW, so as to comply with identification requirements. When ARTS™ is de-activated, DCS will also be deactivated (if you were not using it previously in non-ARTS™ operation).

If you move out of range for more than one minute (four pollings), your radio will sense that no signal has been received, three beeps will sound, and the display will revert to “OUT.RNG.” If you move back into range, your radio will again beep, and the display will change back to the “IN.RNG” indication.

During ARTS™ operation, your operating frequency will continue to be displayed, but no changes may be made to it or other settings; you must terminate ARTS™ in order to resume normal operation. This is a safety feature designed to prevent accidental loss of contact due to channel change, etc.

Basic ARTS™ Setup and Operation

1. Set your radio and the other radio(s) to the same DCS code number, per the discussion on page 24.

2. Press and hold in the [2(CODE)] key for one second. You will observe the “OUT. RNG” display on the LCD below the operat- ing frequency. ARTS™ operation has now commenced.

3. Every 25 seconds, your radio will transmit a “polling” call to the other station. When that station responds with its own ARTS™ polling signal, the display will change to “IN.RNG” to confirm

that the other station’s polling code was received in response to yours.

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