Rugged Radios RM-50 - Auto Range Transponder System (ARTS); Basic ARTS Setup and Operation; ARTS Polling Time Options; ARTS Alert Beep Option

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A
UTO
R
ANGE
T
RANSPONDER
S
YSTEM
(ARTS)
A
UTO
R
ANGE
T
RANSPONDER
S
YSTEM
(ARTS)
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 useful 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 seconds
after ARTS is activated, your radio will transmit a sig-
nal which includes a (subaudible) DCS signal for about
one 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 “
O U T.R N G
” in
which ARTS operation begins.
Whether you talk or not, the polling every 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 identication 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 (two pollings), your radio will sense
that no signal has been received, three beeps will sound, and the display will revert to
“
O U T.R N G
”. 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, it is not possible to change the operating frequency 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. Here is
how to activate ARTS:
Basic ARTS Setup and Operation
1. Set your radio and the other radio(s) to the same DCS code number, per the discussion
on previous.
2. Press and hold in the [
S.SCH
(
ARTS
)] key for 1/2
second. You will observe the “
O U T.R N G
” display on
the LCD. 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 conrm that the other
station’s polling code was received in response to yours.
4. Press and hold in the [
S.SCH
(
ARTS
)] key for 1/2 second to exit ARTS operation and
resume normal operation of the transceiver.
ARTS Polling Time Options
The ARTS feature may be programmed to poll every 25 seconds (default value) or 15
seconds. The default value provides maximum battery conservation, because the polling
signal is sent out less frequently. To change the polling interval:
1. Press and hold in the [
BAND
(
SET
)] key for 1/2 second to enter the Set mode.
2. Rotate the
DIAL
knob to select Menu #3 (
AR INT
).
3. Press the [
BAND
(
SET
)] key momentarily, then rotate
the
DIAL
knob to select the desired polling interval (15
or 25 seconds).
4. Press the [
BAND
(
SET
)] key momentarily to save the
new setting, then press and hold in the [
BAND
(
SET
)]
key for 1/2 second to exit to normal operation.
ARTS Alert Beep Option
The ARTS feature allows two kinds of alert beeps (with the additional option of turning
them off), so as to alert you to the current status of ARTS operation. Depending on your
location and the potential annoyance associated with frequent beeps, you may choose the
Beep mode which best suits your needs. The choices are:
INRANG
: The beeps are issued only when the radio rst conrms that you are within
range,but does not re-conrm with beeps thereafter.
ALWAYS
: Every time a polling transmission is received from the other station, the alert
beeps will be heard.
OFF
: No alert beeps will be heard; you must look at the display to conrm current
ARTS status.
To set the ARTS Beep mode, use the following procedure:
1. Press and hold in the [
BAND
(
SET
)] key for one second to enter the Set mode.
2. Rotate the
DIAL
knob to select Menu #2 (
AR BEP
).
3. Press the [
BAND
(
SET
)] key momentarily, then rotate
the
DIAL
knob to select the desired ARTS Beep mode
(see above).
4. Press the [
BAND
(
SET
)] key momentarily to save the
new setting, then press and hold in the [
BAND
(
SET
)]
key for 1/2 second to exit to normal operation.