Codan Radio Transportable Radio Systems User Guide - Manual (Page 3)

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1. Introduction
1.1 About Codan
For the past 50 years Codan has provided customers worldwide with highly reliable Base Stations and Repeaters that
are designed for robust operation in rugged environments, extreme temperature conditions and applications where
low current consumption is a key requirement (solar, wind or battery powered).
Codan has been a pioneering member of the P25 Digital standard for radio system interoperability between emer-
gency response governmental organizations, providing enhanced functionality and encryption. Our products operate
between 29–869 MHz and are available in a variety of Base Station and Repeater confi gurations for two-way voice
and mobile data applications.
Our self-servicing customers range from Forestry and National Park services through Police and Fire departments
and on to Utility and Transportation groups. Our products have been deployed in every imaginable situation from the
Antarctic to Hawaiian mountaintops, enabling respondents to Forest Fires, Ground Zero rescue and routine patrols.
Codan is an industry leader in Analog and P25 radio systems design. We offer modular rack mounted Base Stations
and Repeaters, as well as a family of transportable solutions capable of operating in the following bands:
• VHF FM
• UHF (380–520 MHz)
• 700 MHz
• 800 MHz
1.2 Intended Audience
This guide has been created to introduce non-technical personnel and end-users to information that will allow them
to make the best choice in choosing a Transportable Communications Solution that is tailored to the emergency
management or mutual aid requirements.
Codan has a long history of making customized Transportable Radio solutions for its various customers and their
many unique requirements. We have learnt over the years that each customer has a combination of particular
requirements that need to be met to make sure their system is going to be successful in as many of their expected
scenarios as possible.
You will fi nd that as you work through this guide, there will be a number of choices you need to make about the re-
quirements for your Transportable Radio System, and that each choice has a combination of trade-offs that must be
understood. We hope this guide will allow you to make the best possible educated decision as to the features of your
Transportable Radio System and the trade-offs that come with it.
1.3 How this Guide Works
In preparing this guide, we recognized that fi rst responders have more than just their Transportable Radio system to
think about on a daily basis. While this is all we think about at Codan, it is only one of a long list of items needed for a
First Responders “tool-box”. Therefore, we have arranged this document into four key sections:
• Section One — Introduction
• Sections Two — Repeater & Base Station basics — If you only have time for an overview to the key components you
need to address in helping design your Transportable Radio — This is the most important section.
• Section Three — Real World communications problems that we have helped solve at Codan using a variety of
Transportable Radio solutions. Someone may have already solved the very problem that caused you to start reading
this guide in the fi rst place...
• Section Four — This is a technical discussion of all the key components found in Section Two. If you would like to
have a better understanding of the “whys” and “hows” of a particular component of your system, this section will
give you everything you need.
1.4 Purpose
When disasters strike, it usually happens at the worst time, in the worst location and somewhere that no longer has
communications. Transportable Radio Systems support portable and temporary communication solutions that can
be quickly deployed with minimal complexity.
A Transportable Radio such as the unit shown to the right may be a standard Land Mobile Radio (LMR) radio repeater
specially packaged in a briefcase for portability with all the accessories required to instantly create a local repeater
site. Capable of interfacing to First Responders’ handsets and mobiles, it creates a relay between First Responders
and also links back to existing infrastructure. Transportable Radios are available for VHF, UHF and 700/800 MHz
operation in either analog or digital P25 modes and can support cross banding between bands to enable different
agencies to communicate together. Optional HF or Satellite interfaces enable communications to remote locations
should existing infrastructure be damaged or unavailable.
Packaging options such as high visibility waterproof cases are available for outdoor applications (forest fi re fi ghting)
where the ability to work in any weather condition for extended periods is required. For tactical applications a Brief-
case Repeater (as shown below) provides a compact, lightweight, package offering ease of deployment by one per-
son. Both packages can provide quick connect AC or DC power and Antenna connectors along with battery backup,
duplexers, antenna masts and trickle chargers allowing any fi rst responder to setup and operate the radio system.
ET-4 Polyethylene
Briefcase
Rugged
Metal
Storage
container
In-line
wheels
Soft grip
handle
Press and
Pull latches
Telescoping
Pull handle
Power supply,
battery backup,
speaker
Radio with
30 W Power
Amplifi er
ET-4 Transportable Radio