User Manual

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calling and mobile data operations are not available to the XCOV-TG
connected clients.
NOTE
The Extended Coverage for talk groups mode
(XCOV-TG) is only available in OpenSky radio firmware
versions 9.0 and later.
When operating in an Extended Coverage mode, the V-TAC acts both as a
local base station by operating on a base station frequency plan to communi-
cate with the attached client radios, and as a mobile radio by operating on a
mobile frequency plan to connect to the OpenSky radio network. The V-TAC
rebroadcasts voice traffic received from connected client radios, routes the
received audio to its speaker, and relays this voice traffic to the network for
distribution to other users. It also routes received audio network traffic to its
speaker and forwards this audio to the connected client radios. However,
filtering of some network traffic can occur.
Typically, Extended Coverage is utilized after the vehicle’s operator has
exited the vehicle with a portable radio unit and the portable unit requires this
bridging functionality to access the OpenSky radio network. When the V-TAC
transitions between the Mobile-Only mode and an Extended Coverage mode,
a four-beep high-medium-high-medium tone sequence sounds in the speaker.
Also, for ten (10) seconds, the V-TAC’s control head flashes “XCOV” if it is
in the Extended Coverage for individual users mode, or “XCOV-TG” if it is in
the Extended Coverage for talk groups mode. When in the Mobile-Only
operating mode, neither of these mode identifiers appears in the display.
XCOV vs. XCOV-TG mode determination methods are described later. When
the V-TAC goes from XCOV mode to Mobile-Only mode, it the tone sounds
and "Mobile" flashes in the display for ten (10) seconds.
In most cases, the V-TAC’s Mobile-Only mode is desired when the vehicle is
in motion and an Extended Coverage mode is desired when the vehicle is
stationary (a configurable parameter). The exact method used for mode
selection depends upon the specific radio installation. For example, one
V-TAC radio installation could have a 2-position toggle switch mounted on
the vehicle’s dash panel for manual mode selection, while another could
automatically enable an Extended Coverage mode when the portable radio is
removed from its cradle/charger within the vehicle.