First responders need reliable communication with dispatch and each other. Whether it’s handling a traffic stop, working inside a building, or managing an incident, they need peace of mind — the assurance that their communications aren’t impacted by lack of coverage. In networks designed for mobile coverage, working inside buildings or over rough terrain makes communication challenging for portable users.
Typically, agencies rely on a Digital Vehicular Repeater Solution (DVRS) to provide coverage extension to portable radios. For the digital vehicular repeater system to work the portable radio communicates with the DVR over simplex conventional, then the DVR then connects to the mobile radio to communicate with dispatch through a trunked system, effectively providing a coverage extender for the portable radio.
While this basic solution does effectively turn the trunked system into a conventional system for portable users, it doesn’t provide the P25 trunked experience. This creates some challenges with a basic DVRS implementation. Portable users don’t receive confirmation that their Push-to-Talk (PTT) transmission was successful, emergency calls are not propagated to the dispatcher, and first responders aren’t notified when the mobile or portable is out of range.
We collaborated with Pyramid Communications to develop an Enhanced Vehicular Repeater Solution (EVRS) that improves the portable user experience for first responders while providing extended coverage. This solution solves portable user challenges with typical DVRS implementation by providing an enhanced trunked experience using a DVR.
The Enhanced Vehicular Repeater Solution features make safe simple:
Talk Permit Tone
When a KENWOOD Viking® portable user presses PTT, the portable sends a request to the Pyramid SVR-P255 to set up a call on the trunked system. The SVR-P255 communicates with the KENWOOD Viking mobile radio and places a call on the trunked system. When the trunked system responds to the call request, the SVR-P255 contacts the portable, indicating that the system has allocated a traffic channel for this communication. At this point, the portable user receives a talk permit tone and can communicate with the dispatcher and other portable users.
Busy Indication
When a Viking portable user presses PTT, the portable sends a request to the SVR-P255 to set up a call on the trunked system. The SVR-P255 communicates with the Viking mobile radio and places a call on the trunked system. If the trunked system cannot allocate a traffic channel and sends a busy notification to the mobile, the SVR-P255 then sends the busy notification to the portable. The portable provides both an audible and visual notification of the busy channel.
Deny Indication
When a Viking portable user presses PTT, the portable sends a request to the SVR-P255 to set up a call on the trunked system. The SVR-P255 communicates with the Viking mobile radio and places a call on the trunked system. If the trunked system denies the call for any reason (e.g., a busy timeout), the SVR-P255 sends the deny notification to the portable; the portable then provides both an audible and visual notification to the user indicating the call has been denied.
Emergency Notification
When a Viking portable user presses emergency and places a call (via hot mic or PTT), the portable sends an emergency call request to the SVR-P255 to set up a call on the trunked system. The SVR-P255 communicates with the Viking mobile radio and sets up an emergency call on the trunked system. When the call is set up, the dispatcher receives an emergency indication.
Out of Range Notification
The KENWOOD Viking EVRS provides two types of out of range notification:
- If the Viking mobile radio is out of range of the trunked system, the SVR-P255 notifies all connected Viking portables that the portables will not be able to communicate with the trunked system. However, the portables can continue to communicate with the SVR-P255 and other portables in the vicinity.
- The SVR-P255 sends out a periodic message indicating the portables are within range. If a portable user goes out of range (e.g., enters a building), the portable provides both an audible and visible notification, indicating the user is out of range of the SVR-P255 and will not be able to communicate.
Priority Vehicle Assignment
The SVR-P255 also utilizes Pyramid's latest ESP™ priority structure that establishes a priority vehicle to handle traffic on the scene. With Pyramid’s P25 ESP protocol, priority vehicles are assigned with little user intervention to ensure uninterrupted communications when users exit their vehicles. ESP also ensures a quick recovery if two vehicles get in a priority mode at one scene.
The EVRS feature is available on all KENWOOD Viking P25 portable and mobile radios including: VP6000, VP5000, VP900 dual-band, VP600, VM7000 multi-band, VM6000, VM5000, and VM900 dual-band.
Public safety agencies can now focus on mission-critical operations with the confidence of the Enhanced Vehicular Repeater Solution. The EVRS is the only solution that extends coverage to portable users while providing a P25 trunked experience. Schedule a free demo today to learn how the KENWOOD Viking EVRS can benefit you and your agency.
