GAI-Tronics ICP9000 Navigator Series Console Operator's Manual - Manual (Page 32)

Standard Feature Operation ICP9000 Navigator Series Console Operator’s Manual
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Parallel Activity
Depending on the system installation, more than one console or operator position may share a channel.
When two or more units share a single channel, the units are considered to be in parallel. When another
unit transmits on a shared channel, it is called parallel activity to all other connected consoles. The
Navigator is equipped with a parallel activity indicator called the
BUSY indicator. The border of the
channel TRANSMIT button flashes yellow when parallel activity has been detected. When active, no
other unit is allowed to transmit on the channel.
If the operator attempts a transmission of any kind, including intercom, on the channel while parallel
activity is detected, an error beep is generated and the transmission will not be made. It is important that
the operator always ensure that the proper channel is transmitting before assuming a voice transmission is
active. If it is certain that no parallel unit is transmitting (or none is connected) and the
BUSY indicator
is activated, it is not a console malfunction but an effect of the equipment between the console and the
actual transmitter. This behavior, however, is not normal and the system supervisor should contact GAI-
Tronics field service to resolve the issue.
Parallel Audio
When two units are in parallel, by default, each unit will hear the other when a transmission is made on
one console. This is desirable when one console is located in a different room or installation and the
other console wishes to monitor the activity of that console. If the consoles are in the same room,
feedback may be an issue to be addressed. Feedback occurs when the microphone of the transmitting
console picks up parallel audio from the speaker of the other console. When this occurs, this audio is
amplified and transmitted which, again, is output from the speaker of the parallel console and picked up
by the transmitting console. This continues until a rather loud high-pitched squeal or whine is heard.
To prevent parallel audio feedback, the parallel mute feature of the ICP9000 can be employed to prevent
audio feedback from occurring. When enabled via CARD Suite, the transmitted audio is removed from
the speaker of the parallel console, thus, preventing feedback.
When there are three or more parallel consoles in a system and two are located in the same room while
the third is at a different location, parallel mute may not be a solution. If the two co-located parallel
consoles wish to monitor the activity of the third console, but must prevent feedback between each other,
parallel mute will not suffice. The operators of the two co-located consoles should use a headset in this
situation. Otherwise, the operators must adjust the channel volume of any channels that could feed back
to reduce the possibility of feedback.
The operators should inquire with the system supervisor if feedback is a problem in the installation and,
if so, discuss the use of a headset.
Communicating with a Parallel Unit (Intercom)
If there is more that one console in the system and they are not located within audible range of each
other, it is possible to communicate with the other console using the intercom feature. The intercom
feature allows parallel units to communicate with each other without the need of other equipment or
transmitting over the air.
To communicate with a parallel unit, select the desired channel and press and hold the INTERCOM
button. If the intercom is allowed, the status line indicates INTERCOM and the operator is allowed to
speak. Like transmission, if a parallel unit is transmitting (indicated by the
BUSY indicator), the
intercom will not be allowed and an error beep is generated upon pressing the INTERCOM button.