EF Johnson 2425720 User Manual

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio

Operating Manual

for the

Viking VP600 Model 3 Radio

Project 25 Conventional and Trunked

SmartNet

Analog and Digital Conventional

®

/SmartZone

®

Part Number 002-0600-045

March 2012

Copyright © 2012 by EF Johnson Technologies, Inc.

™

The EFJohnson Technologies logo, Armada

, Trunked IP25™, and Call Guard® are trademarks of EF

Johnson Technologies, Inc. All other company and/or product names used in this manual are trademarks

and/or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers.

Software License

Non-open source software used in this product is licensed in accordance with EF Johnson Technologies,

Inc.’s (“EFJohnson’s”) then current software license agreement.

Open Source Software License
Software used in this product includes open source software (“Open Source Software”) and is subject to the
General Public License (“GPL”) provided at www.efjohnson.com. EFJohnson notifies you (“Licensee”) here-

under that Licensee has the rights to obtain, modify and/or redistribute the source code of such software

(“Open Source Software”) in accordance with the terms of such GPL. Therefore, if Licensee obtains such

Open Source Software, Licensee must strictly adhere to the terms and conditions of the GPL.

Information in this manual is subject to change without notice.

Viking VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

March 2012

Viking VP600 Portable Radio Operating

Manual

March 2012

Table of Contents

Safety Requirements ix

1 Features 1-1

General Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Conventional Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Project 25 Trunked Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

SmartNet / SmartZone Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Available Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

2 Controls and Display 2-1

Front Panel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Top Panel Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Side Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Portable Icons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

RSSI Threshold Indications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

Signaling Tones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

3 General Operation 3-1

Turning Power On and Setting Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Licensing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Power Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Standard and Soft Power Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Persistent Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Setting Volume Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Zone and Channel Select. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Direct Zone / Channel Selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Zone Edit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual i

Contents

Battery and Accessory Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Battery Removal / Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Low Battery Indication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Battery Charging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Belt clip Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

Connecting an Accessory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

Backlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

Keypad Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

Radio Inhibit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

Setting Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

Transmit Disable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

Operation At Extended Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

Radio Operating Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

Conventional Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

SmartNet / SmartZone Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15

P25 Trunked Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15

Systems, Channels, and Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

Conventional, Trunked Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

Zones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

4 Radio-wide Features 4-1

Viewing Radio Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Option Keys / Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Feature Enable / Disable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Menu Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Function Recall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Time-Out Timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Home Channel Select. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

Power Output Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

Alert Tone Select. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Surveillance Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Priority Scanning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

Radio Wide Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11

Scan Hold Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11

Nuisance Channel Delete. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12

Scan Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12

Group / Priority Scan Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13

Radio Wide Scan Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15

Global Positioning System (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16

Viewing GPS Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16

ii Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Sending GPS Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17

Manually Sending GPS Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17

Automatically Sending GPS Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17

Sending GPS Data in Response to System Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17

Radio Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17

RSSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18

Fire Ground Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18

5 Conventional Mode Features 5-1

Monitoring Before Transmitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Automatic Channel Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Manual Channel Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Monitor Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Busy Channel Lockout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Call Guard Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Call Guard Squelch Enable / Disable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Tone Call Guard Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Digital Call Guard Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Call Guard Disable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Conventional Squelch Adjust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Selective Squelch Code Select (CTCSS / DCS / NAC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Contents

Penalty Timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Conversation Timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Repeater Talkaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Displaying Transmit / Receive Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Emergency Alarm and Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

Emergency Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

Emergency Call Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9

Emergency Calls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9

Emergency Hot Mic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10

Placing an Emergency Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10

External Emergency Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10

Emergency Talkgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

Conventional Mode Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

Selecting a Scan List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

Transmitting in Scan Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

Priority Channel Sampling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

Changing the Priority Channel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13

Standard Conventional Calls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13

Placing a Standard Conventional Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13

Receiving a Standard Conventional Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14

ANI Signaling Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14

DTMF / ANI Signaling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual iii

Contents

Single Tone Encoder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15

MDC1200 Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15

Five-Tone Signaling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16

GE Star. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16

Two Tone Encoding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16

Project 25 Mode Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17

Digital Unit ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17

Talkgroup ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17

Network Access Code. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17

Out of Range (EFJohnson Conventional) Indication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18

Automatic (EFJohnson Conventional) Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19

P25 Group Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19

Changing a Channel Talkgroup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20

Talkgroup Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20

Talkgroup Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20

P25 Unit Calls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22

P25 Conventional Telephone Calls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23

Access / De-Access Codes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23

Placing a Telephone Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23

Answering a Telephone Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24

Call Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25

Call History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25

Messaging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26

Status Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26

P25 Packet Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27

Keypad Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27

Menu Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28

Zone Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29

Zone Change Parameter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29

Channel Change Parameter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29

System Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30

Channel Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30

CTCSS / DCS Squelch Control (Analog Channel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32

NAC Squelch Control (Project 25 Channel). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32

Text Messaging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32

Data Setup for Text Messaging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32

Sending a Text Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33

Receiving a Text Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34

Replying to a Received Text Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34

Viewing Previously Received Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35

Fire Ground Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35

6 SmartNet / SmartZone / P25 Trunked Features 6-1

Analog and Digital Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Standard Group Calls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Placing a Standard Group Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2

Receiving a Standard Group Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

Unit Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

Placing an Enhanced Unit Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

Placing a Standard Unit Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

iv Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Receiving a Unit Call (All Types). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

Telephone Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

Placing a Telephone Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Answering a Telephone Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

Call Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

Answering a Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

Initiating a Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9

Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9

Sending Status Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10

Emergency Alarm and Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10

Emergency Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11

Emergency Call Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11

Emergency Calls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12

Emergency Hot Mic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12

Placing an Emergency Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12

External Emergency Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13

Failsoft Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13

Failsoft Connect Tone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14

Contents

SmartNet / SmartZone / P25 Trunked Scanning Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14

Priority Talkgroup Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-15

Dynamic Regrouping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16

SmartZone and P25 Trunking Unique Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16

Busy Override. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16

Site Trunking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-17

Determining Current Site and Searching For New Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-17

Locking / Unlocking a Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18

Auto Site Search. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18

ZoneFail Site Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18

P25 Wide Area Scan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19

Normal P25 and SmartZone Control Channel Hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20

Talkgroup Steering through System Access Permissions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20

Zone Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20

7 Messages 7-1

8 Secure Communication (Encryption) 8-1

Encryption Algorithms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

Encryption Available With Various Channel Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2

FIPS Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2

Encryption Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2

Key and Algorithm IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3

PID / SLN Key Management Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual v

Contents

Maintaining Keys in Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

Encryption Key Select. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

Encryption Key Erase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5

Clear / Secure Strapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5

Transmit Mode Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5

Analog Receive Mode Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6

Talkgroup Encryption Override . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6

Over-The-Air Rekeying (OTAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6

Motorola Third-Party RNC Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7

Programming By Keyloader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7

Radio OTAR Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8

OTAR Option Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8

9 Data Features 9-1

P25 Trunking Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

Interface Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

Context Activation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2

10 Service Information 10-1

Product Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

Online Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

Telephone Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2

Factory Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2

Returns for Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3

Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4

Internet Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4

vi Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

List of Figures

2.1 Front Panel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

2.2 Top Panel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

2.3 Side Controls and Jacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

2.4 Viking VP Front Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

2.5 Viking VP Top Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

3.1 Battery Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

3.2 Belt clip Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

3.3 Accessory Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

4.1 Menu Mode Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

4.2 VP600 RSSI Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18

5.1 Keypad Programming Menu Flowchart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28

8.1 Key Selection Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual vii

List of Figures

viii Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

List of Tables

2.1 LED Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

2.2 LED Startup Failure Indications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

2.3 Display Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8

2.4 RSSI Threshold Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

2.5 Tones for the Viking Portable Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

4.1 Programmable Option Button and Menu Mode Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

4.2 Features which May Be Enabled/Disabled using the Function Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

4.3 RSSI Tones (Fire Ground Mode). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21

5.1 RSSI Tones (Fire Ground Mode). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37

7.1 SZ System Reject Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5

7.2 Viking LED Failure Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual vii

List of Tables

viii Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Section 0Safety Requirements

RF Energy Exposure Awareness and Control Information, and
Operational Instructions for FCC Occupational Use Requirements

Before using your portable two-way Radio, read this important RF Energy Awareness
And Control Information And Operational Instructions to ensure compliance with the
FCC’s RF exposure guidelines.

Note This radio is intended for use in occupational/controlled conditions where users have full

knowledge of their exposure and can exercise control over their exposure to meet FCC
limits. This radio device is NOT authorized for general population, consumer, or any
other use.

This two-way radio uses electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency (RF) spectrum to
provide communications between two or more users over a distance. It uses radio
frequency (RF) energy or radio waves to send and receive calls. RF energy is one form of
electromagnetic energy. Other forms include, but are not limited to, electric power,
sunlight and x-rays. RF energy, however, should not be confused with these other forms of
electromagnetic energy, which when used improperly can cause biological damage. Very
high levels of x-rays, for example, can damage tissues and genetic material.

Experts in science, engineering, medicine, health and industry work with organizations to
develop standards for exposure to RF energy. These standards provide recommended
levels of RF exposure for both workers and the general public. These recommended RF
exposure levels include substantial margins of protection. All two-way radios marketed in
North America are designed, manufactured and tested to ensure they meet government
established RF exposure levels. In addition, manufacturers also recommend specific
operating instructions to users of two-way radios. These instructions are important
because they inform users about RF energy exposure and provide simple procedures on
how to control it. Please refer to the following web sites for more information on what RF
energy exposure is and how to control your exposure to assure compliance with
established RF exposure limits.

• http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf-faqs.html

• http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/radiofrequencyradiation/index.html

Federal Communications Commission Regulations

The FCC rules require manufacturers to comply with the FCC RF energy exposure limits
for portable two-way radios before they can be marketed in the U.S. When two-way radios
are used as a consequence of employment, the FCC requires users to be fully aware of and
able to control their exposure to meet occupational requirements. Exposure awareness can
be facilitated by the use of a product label directing users to specific user awareness

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual ix

Safety Requirements

information. Your EFJohnson Technologies two-way radio has a RF exposure product
label. Also, your EFJohnson Technologies user manual, or product manual, or separate
safety booklet includes information and operating instructions required to control your RF
exposure and to satisfy compliance requirements.

Compliance with RF Exposure Standards

Your EFJohnson Technologies two-way radio is designed and tested to comply with a
number of national and international standards and guidelines (listed below) for human
exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic energy. This radio complies with the IEEE
and ICNIRP exposure limits for occupational/controlled RF exposure environment at
operating duty factors of up to 50% transmitting and is authorized by the FCC for
occupational use only. In terms of measuring RF energy for compliance with the FCC
exposure guidelines, your radio radiates measurable RF energy only while it is
transmitting (during talking), not when it is receiving (listening) or in standby mode.

Note The approved batteries supplied with this radio are rated for a 5-5-90 duty factor (5%

talk-5% listen - 90% standby), even though this radio complies with the FCC occupational
RF exposure limits and may operate at duty factors of up to 50% talk.

Your EFJohnson Technologies two-way radio complies with the following RF energy
exposure standards and guidelines:

• United States Federal Communications Commission, Code of Federal Regulations; 47
CFR §§ 1.1307, 1.1310, 2.1091 and 2.1093

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineers (IEEE) C95. 1-1992

• Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) C95.1-1999 Edition

RF Exposure Compliance and Control Guidelines and Operating
Instructions

To control your exposure and ensure compliance with the occupational/controlled
environment exposure limits, always adhere to the following procedures.

Guidelines

• Do not remove the RF Exposure Label from the device.

• User awareness instructions should accompany the device when it is transferred to other
users.

• Do not use this device if the operational requirements described herein are not met.

x Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Safety Requirements

Operating Instructions

• Transmit no more than the rated duty factor of 50% of the time. To transmit (talk), push
the Push-To-Talk (PTT) button. To receive calls, release the PTT button. Transmitting
50% of the time, or less, is important because this radio generates measurable RF
energy exposure only when transmitting (in terms of measuring for standards
compliance).

• Hold the radio in a vertical position in front of face with the microphone (and the other
parts of the radio, including the antenna) at least one inch (2.5 cm) away from the nose.
Keeping the radio at the proper distance is important because RF exposures decrease
with distance from the antenna. The antenna should be kept away from eyes.

• When worn on the body, always place the radio in an EFJohnson Technologies
approved clip, holder, holster, case, or body harness for this product. Using approved
body-worn accessories is important because the use of EFJohnson Technologies or
other manufacturer’s non-approved accessories may result in exposure levels which
exceed the FCC’s occupational/controlled environment RF exposure limits.

• If you are not using a body-worn accessory and are not using the radio in the intended
use position in front of the face, then ensure the antenna and the radio are kept at least
one inch (2.5 cm) from the body when transmitting. Keeping the radio at the proper
distance is important because RF exposures decrease with increasing distance from the
antenna.

• Use only EFJohnson Technologies approved supplied or replacement antennas,
batteries, and accessories. Use of non-EFJohnson Technologies approved antennas,
batteries, and accessories may exceed the FCC RF exposure guidelines.

• For a list of EFJohnson Technologies approved accessories, see the service manual or
marketing accessory lists or contact the E.F. Johnson Company.

Contact Information

Toll-Free: 1-800-328-3911
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail].

You may also contact the Customer Service Department by mail. Please include all
information that may be helpful in solving your problem. The mailing address is as
follows:

EFJohnson Technologies
Customer Service Department
1440 Corporate Drive
Irving, TX 75038-2401

Battery Disposal

Dispose of the nickel metal-hydride (NiMH) or Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery used by this
radio in accordance with local regulations. Do NOT dispose of it in fire because it can
explode. Also, do not short the terminals because it may become very hot.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual xi

Safety Requirements

Usage Compatibility

Do NOT operate the unit in areas that are sensitive to RF energy such as aircraft, hospitals,
blasting sites, and fuel storage sites. Areas with potentially flammable atmospheres are
usually, but not always, clearly posted. These may include gas stations, fuel and chemical
storage and transfer stations, below deck on boats, and areas where the air contains
flammable chemicals or particles such as grain dust or metal powders.

Electromagnetic Interference

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the condition
that this device does not cause harmful interference. In addition, changes or modification
to this equipment not expressly approved by the E.F. Johnson Company could void the
user’s authority to operate this equipment (FCC Rules, 47CFR Part 15.19).

Note This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital

device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Note IC Notice to Users English/French in accordance with RSS GEN Issue 3: This device

complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.

Cet appareil est conforme avec Industrie Canada RSS standard exempts de licence(s). Son
utilisation est soumise à Les deux conditions suivantes: (1) cet appareil ne peut pas
provoquer d'interférences et (2) cet appareil doit accepter Toute interférence, y compris
les interférences qui peuvent causer un mauvais fonctionnement du dispositif.

This device complies with Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 / IC RSS-210. The installer of
this device should ensure that RF radiation is not emitted in excess of the Health Canada’s
requirement. Information can be obtained at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/

radiation/radio_guide-lignes_direct-eng.php#sc6

xii Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Safety Requirements

Cet appareil est conforme avec Santé Canada Code de sécurité 6 / IC RSS-210. Le
programme d'installation de cet appareil doit s'assurer que les rayonnements RF n'est pas
émis au-delà de l'exigence de Santé Canada. Les informations peuvent être obtenues:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/radiation/radio_guide-lignes_direct-eng.php#sc6

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual xiii

Safety Requirements

xiv Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

S ECTION

Section 1Features

This manual is applicable to the Viking Portable 600 radios. The availability of many of
the following features is controlled by the model of your radio, factory coding of your
radio, installed options, firmware version, and field programming.

Note As of January 2013, the FCC has mandated all UHF/VHF radios shall not allow wide

band (25 kHz) mode. Federal frequencies are not under FCC jurisdiction; therefore,
Federal customers can continue to order wide band in VHF and UHF. This mandate does
not affect 800 MHz and can continue to have wide band after January 1, 2013. This op tion
shall prevent UHF/VHF radios bought after January 1, 2013 from operating in wide band
mode.

1.1 General Features

The following operating modes are programmable:

• Conventional analog

• Conventional Project 25 (digital)

• Trunked Project 25 (digital)

• SmartNet™, SmartZone® trunked (analog or digital)

The Viking Model 3 radios have the following features:

• 255 zones with 255 channels are supported. A maximum of 2048 channels total,
depending on the option selected, may be enabled.

• Top display

• Large graphic display with backlight

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 1-1

Features

• 16-position channel select switch

• Three-position rotary option switch

• Up to nine (limited keypad) or 21 (DTMF keypad) programmable op tion keys/buttons

• Each option key/button programmable with a different function for each operating
mode (Conventional, SmartNet/SmartZone, Trunked P25)

• Menu mode

• AES 256-bit FIPS 140-2 approved encryption available on P25/digital channels.

Note Either DES encryption or AES encryption is optional for the 51FIRE Viking radios and

may be purchased from EF Johnson Technologies.

• DES 64-bit encryption available on analog channels, DES-OFB on digital channels (see
Section 8)

• Emergency calls for high priority system access

• Priority (standard) and Radio Wide scan modes with user programmable scan lists

• User selectable high and low power output

• Surveillance mode

• Time-out timer

• Keypad lock to prevent accidental key presses

• Power up password to prevent unauthorized use

• Programmable and user adjustable tone volume

• Programmable minimum volume level

• Soft power down to prevent accidental power off

• Operates on both wide and narrow band channels

• Adjust Contrast values of LCD display

• Easy radio programming and feature updating for portable and mobile radios

Note The availability of many features is controlled by field programming and by the options

ordered. See the EF Johnson Technologies product description and the following sections
in this manual for additional information.

1.1.1 Conventional Features

• Up to 2048 channels or talkgroups programmable

• Repeater talk-around

1-2 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Features

• Carrier or Call Guard® (CTCSS/DCS) controlled squelch on analog channels, NAC
and talkgroup IDs on P25 channels

• Normal/selective squelch selectable by option button or menu

• Monitor mode selectable by option button or menu

• Time out timer penalty and conversation timers

• Dual priority channel sampling when scanning (analog and digital channels)

• Busy channel lockout (transmit disable on busy)

• Unit calls on P25 channels

• Telephone calls on P25 channels with over dialing.

• Cloning capability using a cable or wireless connection (see Section 5.13)

• Emergency alarms and calls to alert a dispatcher of an emergency condition

• Single tone encoder controllable by user on analog channels

• Five tone encoder on analog channels

• Automatic Number Identification (ANI) on analog channels

• MDC1200 ANI and Emergency Alert support

• GE Star Transmissions

• Two Tone Encoder paging on Conventional analog channels

• Call Alert™ on P25 channels (send and receive pages)

• Predefined messages (up to 255) can be sent to a dispatcher (P25 mode)

• Predefined status conditions (up to 255) can be sent to a dispatcher (P25 mode)

• Over-The-Air-Rekeying (OTAR) compatible (P25 channels)

• Text message send & receive (Project 25 digital)

1.1.2 Project 25 Trunked Features

The following P25 Trunked features are available:

• Up to 2048 talkgroups programmable (channels select talkgroups)

• Group and Unit Calls

• Telephone calls with over dialing

• Emergency alarms to alert a dispatcher of emergency conditions

• Emergency calls for high priority system access

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 1-3

Features

• Failsoft operation on a predefined conventional channel if trunked system fails

• Priority group calls detected while listening to other group calls when scanning

• Call Alert™ (send and receive pages)

• Predefined status conditions (up to 255) can be sent to a dispatcher

• Dynamic regrouping (dispatcher can automatically gather users on a channel to receive
a message)

•Roaming

1.1.3 SmartNet / SmartZone Features

The following SmartNet/SmartZone features are available:

• Up to 2048 talkgroups programmable (channels select talkgroups)

• Group, Enhanced Unit, Standard Unit, and Telephone calls

• Emergency alarms to alert a dispatcher of emergency conditions

• Emergency calls for high priority system access

• Failsoft operation on a predefined conventional channel if trunked system fails

• Priority group calls detected while listening to other group calls when scanning

• Call Alert™ (send and receive pages)

• Predefined messages (up to 255) can be sent to a dispatcher

• Predefined status conditions (up to 255) can be sent to a dispatcher

• Dynamic regrouping (dispatcher can automatically gather users on a channel to receive
a message)

• Roaming (SmartZone only)

1.2 Available Options

This manual describes the operation of all features that are currently available for the
Viking VP600 radio. However, many of these features are optional and therefore may not
be available in your radio. For example, Project 25 trunked operation is optional and may
not be available. Model 3 radios have the DTMF keypad.

1-4 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Features

Availability of optional features is controlled by factory programming of the control logic.
Only those features that are specifically ordered and enabled in a particular radio are
available for use and can be programmed. The features controlled by factory programming
are as follows:

P25 Options

Ο P25 conventional data
Ο P25 trunked data
Ο P25 conventional operation
Ο P25 trunked operation

Trunking Options

Ο SmartNet analog operation
Ο SmartZone analog operation
Ο Digital SmartNet/SmartZone

Encryption Options

Ο DES OFB
Ο AES OFB

OTAR Options

Ο OTAR P25 conventional
Ο OTAR P25 trunked

Feature Options

Ο Keypad programming (Federal Government users only)
Ο 48, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 1536, or 2048 channels/talkgroups
Ο DTMF Keypad support
Ο Fire Ground mode
Ο Zonefail site lock
Ο MDC 1200/GE Star
Ο Hard Key Only

Currently, the only operating mode that is standard with all models is the conventional
analog mode. Other variables such as frequency range are hardware dependent instead of
software dependent.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 1-5

Features

Radios in the field may be upgraded with new features. A new feature can be purchased
and a special encrypted code string keyed to the Electronic Serial Number (ESN) of the
radio is then provided by EF Johnson Technologies. This string is in the form of a
computer file which enables the feature, and is downloaded to the radio. With the new
option file, the user will also receive a new model number label to be placed on the radio
and a new “Model Number tag”.

1-6 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

2.1 Front Panel Controls

The locations of Front Panel controls are shown in Figure 2.1.

S ECTION

Section 2Controls and Display

Menu Mode:

= Option Buttons

= Clear Button

= Menu Button

Option Buttons
Navigation Pad

DTMF Keypad

Speaker

Clear Button

Figure 2.1 Front Panel Controls

Microphone

Display

Option Buttons

Button

Menu

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 2-1

Controls and Display

Microphone - The microphone is located behind the small opening at the top right of the
front panel shown in Figure 2.1. For best results, hold the radio 2-3 inches from y ou mouth
and speak at a normal conversational level. Do not shout since it distorts your voice and
does not increase range. Make sure that the PTT (push-to-talk) switch is pressed before
you begin to speak and released as soon as the message is complete.

Display - This is a graphical LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display backlight can be
programmed to turn on when any key/button is pressed (or pressed and held, depending
upon programming), or when the Backlight option button is pressed or menu parameter
selected (see Section 3.5, "Backlight").

Nav Pad Up/Down Buttons- Select zones when multiple zones are programmed (see
Section 3.3, "Zone and Channel Select"). Pressing the up button selects the next higher
number and pressing the down button selects the next lower number. These buttons also
provide up/down select in the menu mode and in other modes when up/down select is
required.

Nav Pad Left/Right - Nav Pad Left cycles through soft buttons to the left and Nav Pad
Right cycles through soft buttons to the right, if soft buttons are programmed. If soft
buttons are not programmed, then Nav Pad Left/Right can be used as programmable
option buttons.

(Clear) - In menu mode (see Section 4.4, "Menu Mode"), functions as a step back and

exit button. If menu mode is not used, it is a programmable option button.

(Menu) - Selects the menu mode when that mode is enabled by programming. Also

functions as an Enter or Select button in the menu and other modes. If menu mode is not
used, it is a programmable option button.

, - Programmable option buttons.

DTMF Keypad - The full keypad DTMF models include the 12 keys required to dial

telephone and unit ID numbers.

Speaker - The radio speaker is located at the top of th e front panel. When a speaker/
microphone is used, it is automatically detected when the Opt Sel 1 line of the accessory
connector is pulled low. The logic then automatically disables the internal speaker.

2-2 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

2.2 Top Panel Controls

Channel/Talkgroup
Switch

On/Off
Volume

Controls and Display

Figure 2.2 Top Panel Controls

Antenna
Connector

Option Switch

Top Display

Emergency
Button

Note The Viking Portable radios are available with Blade knobs or Round knobs.

Multi-Function Indicator - Indicates the following conditions:

Table 2.1 LED Indicators

LED Color LED Duration Description

Red ON Tx: clear
Red 125 ms ON

125 ms OFF

Red 125 ms ON

125 ms OFF
125 ms ON
750 ms OFF

Red 750 ms ON

125 ms OFF
Green ON Rx: clear conventional or trunking
Green 750 ms ON

125 ms OFF
Orange Continuous until Self Test

complete
Orange ON Tx: Secure
Orange 125 ms ON

125 ms OFF
Orange Blinking (1 to 10 times) Startup Failure. See Table

Tx: CLEAR with low battery Tx: trunking system
busy

Rx: Secure Group

Rx: Secure individual call

Rx: clear individual call

Self Test state

Tx: SECURE with low battery

Note This indicator is disabled if the Surveillance mode is programmed (see Section 4.10).

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 2-3

Controls and Display

Certain failures encountered during radio startup are indicated by blinking of the Orange
LED. The Type of failure is indicated by the number of times the LED blinks (1 to 10) as
described in Table 2.2, “LED Startup Failure Indications”

Table 2.2 LED Startup Failure Indications

Orange LED
Blinks

1 Incorrect Software Boot Loader is not the expected version
2 Bad File Format Parameter file version doe not match radio’s

3 Parms Fail Invalid backup copy of parameters stored in SPI

4 Bad Band Radio band stored in parameter file does not match

5 Corrupt Parms Parameters file contains an error, although

6 EEPROM Fail Self test timed out without successful read/

7 DSP Fail PowerPC never received Power-up message from

8 Cycle Power Communication failure between DSP and back-end

9 HC08 Init Fail HC08 was not initialized correctly and cannot be

10 Zone Fail Number of zones exceeds the number of zones for

.

Startup Failure Indicated Description

software

Flash device

the radio band in the tuning parameters

parameters checksum is valid

verification of parameter file

the DSP

ADC on the RF Deck

accessed

which the radio was optioned

ON-OFF/Volume - Turning the knob clockwise turns power on and sets the volume level.
Turning it counterclockwise to the detent turns power off. The minimum volume level can
be set by programming. Soft power down can be programmed as described in Section

3.1.3, "Standard and Soft Power Down", and the volume control can be disabled as
described in Section 3.1.5, "Setting Volume Level".

Rotary Control - The rotary channel selector on top of the radio. May be set for zone
select, channel select or none. Zone select sets the knob to cycle through the first 16 zones.
Channel select sets the knob to cycle through the first 16 channels.

Navigation Pad - The up and down switches on the front of the radio allow changes to
occur as soon as the button is pressed: There is no delay. Channel select allows the user to
cycle through all the channels in the profile using the up and down switches. The radio
will loop from the last channel to the first and vice versa. The radio will display
unprogrammed channels located between other programmed channels. The left and right
switches are used to cycle through soft buttons, if enabled with programming. Otherwise,
the left and right switches can be used as programmable option buttons.

Toggle Control - This three-position switch sets the toggle switch to cycle through the
first 3 zones if programmed for zone select. If toggle control is set to Programmable, then
this three position switch can be used as a programmable option button.

2-4 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Antenna Connector - This is the connection point for the antenna. Make sure the antenna
is tight before using the radio.

Top Display - Up to one line of 12 characters is displayed, including a Signal Strength
indicator, Time, Date, or Battery indicator and Channel ID.

Emergency Button- This button or some other option button can be programmed as an
Emergency button to alert a dispatcher of an emergency condition. Refer to Sections 5.9
and 6.8 for more information. If not programmed as an Emergency button, this button can
also be programmed for other functions.

2.3 Side Controls

Controls and Display

Figure 2.3 Side Controls and Jacks

Option

1

Buttons

2

Accessory
Connector

3

PTT Switch

Battery
Pack

PTT (Push-To-Talk) Switch - This switch is pressed to turn the transmitter on to transmit
a message. It is then released to listen. Transmitting is indicated when the top panel
indicator is constant red or is displayed (surveillance mode only, see Section 4.10,
"Surveillance Mode").

Side Buttons - Each of these buttons can be programmed to control a specific function
(see Section 4.2, "Option Keys / Buttons"). In addition, they can be programmed for soft
power down (see Section 3.1.3, "Standard and Soft Power Down"). These buttons can also
be temporarily disabled by the keypad lock feature (see Section 3.6, "Keypad Lock") or
permanently disabled.

Battery - To remove the battery, press the release button on the bottom and pivot the
bottom of the battery outward.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 2-5

Controls and Display

Accessory Connector- This is the connection point for optional accessories such as a
speaker/microphone or earphone. It is also the connection point for the computer when
programming the radio or for data equipment when the P25 Packet Data feature is used
(see Section 5.13.14, "P25 Packet Data"). Details of operations through the connector
(such as external microphone signal routing, etc.) are determined by programming.

2.4 Display

The front display format depends on which features the user has enabled. The following
can be programmed:

•Time

•Date

• Signal Strength

• Battery

Note Even though 16 characters can be programmed, only the first 12 are displayed on

portable radios.

Note Radios are capable of displaying messages in English, French or Spanish depending upon

the language programmed for the radio.

The Model 3 portable front display provides three to five rows of 12 characters of text:
The top row is a status bar. The second row is icons and the third/fourth rows of text are
the selected zone and current event messages. The bottom row shows the soft buttons
programmed.

Figure 2.4 Viking VP Front Display

Front Display - Basic

2-6 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Front Display - Status Bar (Inverted Style),

Soft Buttons (Inverted Style)

Controls and Display

An option may be programmed to disable the portable LED. If enabled, the radio’s LED
will not light for transmit/receive/error code conditions. During transmit, the Tx icon will
be displayed to provide some indication to the user that the radio is transmitting.

The top display shows two rows: a single line of text and an optional status bar. The top
display is a combination of the two text lines on the front display.

• Channel aliases

• Signal strength, time, date, and battery usage (optional)

Figure 2.5 Viking VP Top Display

Top Display - Basic Top Display with Status Bar

If the radio is in Menu Mode, the current channel alias is displayed. If not in Menu Mode,
the first line temp or flash message, the second line temp or flash message or first line
message display in order of priority.

The top display, by default faces toward the front of the radio. The user can program the
display to face towards the back of the radio, with the Flip Display option. This allows the
users to view the top display when attached to a belt.

2.4.1 Portable Icons

The layout of the front panel display is shown Figure 2.4. Icons are typically shown in the
upper part of the display and text messages in the lower part.

LED displays may be disabled by programming. If so programmed, the radio’s LED will
not light for transmit/receive/error code conditions. During transmit, the Transmit icon
will be displayed to provide some indication to the user that the radio is transmitting.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 2-7

Controls and Display

The icons are as follows:

Table 2.3 Display Icons

Icon Name protocol(s) Description

BUSY Conventional Indicates that the current transmit channel is

PRIORITY Conventional/P25/

PRIORITY_2 Conventional/P25 Indicates that the current channel is the

SCAN_LIST Conventional/P25/

EDIT_MODE Conventional/P25/

MONITOR Conventional Indicates that the radio is monitoring the

PHONE Conventional/P25/

UNIT_CALL Conventional/P25/

REPEATER_TALK_ARO
UND

SCAN Conventional/P25/

SECURITY Conventional/P25/

TRANSMIT Conventional/P25/

DATA_CONTEXT_
ACTIVATED

P25_DATA_CHANNEL_
GRANT

SITE_LOCKED P25/SN/SZ Indicates that the radio is locked to a site.

CALL_HISTORY Conventional Indicates that the user is viewing an ID from

GPS Conventional Indicates that the radio has acquired GPS

RADIO_WIDE_SCAN Conventional/P25/

TEXT_MESSAGE Conventional Indicates that the radio is using the text

SIGNAL_STRENGTH_0 P25/SN/SZ Indicates that the received signal strength is

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

SN/SZ
Conventional Indicates that the radio is in repeater talk

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

Conventional/P25 Indicates that the radio is registered for data.

Conventional/P25 Indicates that the radio is on a data channel.

SN/SZ

busy.
Indicates that the current channel is the

priority channel in the current scan list.

priority 2 channel in the current scan list.
Indicates that the current channel is in the

current scan list.
Indicates that the user has entered a feature

requiring user input.

receive channel or monitoring the transmit
channel.

Indicates that the radio is in interconnecting
mode.

Indicates that the radio is in unit call mode

around mode.
Indicates that the radio is scanning.

Indicates that the radio is using encryption.

Indicates transmit when the radio is in
surveillance mode or the LED indicator is
disabled.

This icon flashes.

the radio's call history.

sync.
Indicates that the radio is radio wide

scanning.

message feature.

between 0 and the Acceptable threshold.

2-8 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Table 2.3 Display Icons

Icon Name protocol(s) Description

Controls and Display

SIGNAL_STRENGTH_1 Conventional/P25/

SIGNAL_STRENGTH_2 Conventional/P25/

SIGNAL_STRENGTH_3 Conventional/P25/

SIGNAL_STRENGTH_4 Conventional/P25/

SIGNAL_STRENGTH_O
OR

BATTERY_LOW Conventional/P25/

BATTERY_0 Conventional/P25/

BATTERY_1 Conventional/P25/

BATTERY_2 Conventional/P25/

BATTERY_3 Conventional/P25/

BATTERY_4 Conventional/P25/

LOCK_OUT Conventional/P25/

SURVEILLANCE Conventional/P25/

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

Conventional/P25/
SN/SZ

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

SN/SZ

Conventional: Indicates that the received
signal strength is between the Out of Range
and Fair thresholds.

P25, SN/SZ: Indicates that the received
signal strength is between the Acceptable
and Fair thresholds.

Conventional: Indicates that the received
signal strength is between the Fair and Good
thresholds.

P25, SN/SZ: Indicates that the received
signal strength is between the Fair and Very
Good thresholds

Conventional: Indicates that the received
signal strength is between the Good and
Excellent thresholds.

P25, SN/SZ: Indicates that the received
signal strength is between the Very Good
and Excellent thresholds

Conventional: Indicates that the received
signal strength is above the Excellent
threshold.

P25, SN/SZ: Indicates that the received
signal strength is at or above the Excellent
threshold.

Conventional: Indicates that the received
signal strength is at or below the Out of
Range threshold.

P25, SN/SZ: Indicates that the radio is out of
range.

Indicates that the battery is low.

Indicates that the battery is between a low
state and 20% of its capacity.

Indicates that the battery is between and
20% and 40% of its capacity.

Indicates that the battery is between 40%
and 60% of its capacity.

Indicates that the battery is between 60%
and 80% of its capacity.

Indicates that the battery is between 80%
and 100% of its capacity.

Indicates that the radio has keypad lockout
enabled.

Indicates that the radio has surveillance
mode enabled.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 2-9

Controls and Display

2.4.1.1 RSSI Threshold Indications

Table 2.4 RSSI Threshold Indicators

RSSI Range Portable Icon

No Measurement Taken
< Out of Range
Out of Range > Fair
Fair > Good
Good > Excellent

> Excellent

In conventional mode only if programmed, the user can see the signal strength of the last
call displayed as a signal strength indicator icon. At the start of every call, the radio will
take an RSSI measurement and set a corresponding signal strength indicator icon. The call
must be long enough for a full measurement (40 ms) or the measurement will be ignored.
The signal strength indicator icon from the last call will stay displayed until a new call is
received. The icon signifies the strength of the last received call not the current signal
strength. If the radio goes out of range because it did not receive a beacon within the
Inactivity Duration, it will automatically set the signal strength indicator to Out Of Range.

2.5 Signaling Tones

Information is communicated to users of the Viking Portable radio using signal tones and
alerts and by LED signaling. Table 2.5 shows the information and signaling tones
supported by the Viking Portable radio. If you are viewing a PDF of this manual on a
computer equipped with a sound card, click on the Message Name to hear the tone.

Table 2.5 Tones for the Viking Portabl e Radios

Message Name Usage Description Audible Description

Action Performed Indicates that an action has been

Alert Used for transmit time-out warnings

Alert Site Trunking Used to notify the user that they have

Alert Tone Keypress Used to indicate the tone volume

Bad Used to indicate a problem with the

Bad Condition Indicates loss of sync in roaming

performed.

and for failsoft alert.

entered site trunking.

during tone volume adjustment.

user’s input.

diagnostic mode.

1500Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1500Hz for 50ms

1500Hz for 50ms

1500Hz for 50ms

1000Hz for 100ms

300Hz for 100ms

300Hz for 150ms, 0Hz for 50ms
(played 3 times)

2-10 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Controls and Display

Table 2.5 Tones for the Viking Portable Radios

Message Name Usage Description Audible Description

Callback Notifies a user waiting in a busy state

that their call has started.

Channel Busy Indicates that the channel the user was

attempting to transmit on is busy.

Clear Alert Warns the user that they are

transmitting or receiving a clear call.

Click Indicates that the soft buttons menu

has been moved left or right.

Double Click Indicates that the soft buttons menu

has been moved to its start or end.

DTMF Played during buttons presses for

DTMF features (Over dial and Keypad
DTMF).

Dynamic Regroup Notifies the user that their radio has

been dynamically regrouped.

Emergency Played when the user enters

emergency (and doesn’t have the radio
programmed for silent emergency).

Emergency Cancel Played when the user cancels

emergency mode (and doesn’t have
the radio programmed for silent
emergency).

Emergency Status Echo Notifies the user that their emergency

alarm was received by the system.
Also notifies the user that they have
received an emergency call.

Enter Mode A mode (e.g. Call Alert) has been

entered.

Error Indicates that the radio is currently in

an error condition.

Evac Alert Notifies the user that an evacuation

command has been received.

Exit Mode A mode (e.g. Call Alert) has been

exited.

Failsoft Notification that the radio is in Failsoft. 1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms

Feature Off A feature (e.g. secure mode) has been

turned off.

Good OTAR : Hello ack received

Roaming Diagnostic Mode: Found
control channel.

Key Fail Signals an encryption key failure. 1000Hz for 125ms, 0Hz for 75ms

1500Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1500Hz for 50ms

300Hz for 150ms, 0Hz for 150ms,
300Hz for 150ms, 0Hz for 150ms,
300Hz for 150ms, 0Hz for 150ms,
300Hz for 150ms, 0Hz for 150ms
(played every 1200ms)

700Hz for 50ms

1500Hz for 3ms, 200Hz for 5ms

1500Hz for 3ms, 200Hz for 5ms,
0Hz for 75ms, 1500Hz for 3ms,
200Hz for 5ms

1000HZ for 100ms

765Hz for 25ms, 0Hz for 25ms
(played 6 times)

1000Hz for 175ms

1000Hz for 1000ms

1000Hz for 175ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1000Hz for 175ms, 0Hz for
150ms, 1000 for 175ms, 0Hz for
150ms, 1000 for 175ms, 0Hz for
150ms, 1000 for 175ms

1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1500Hz for 50ms

300Hz for 100ms (played forever)

932Hz for 150ms, 784Hz for
150ms (played forever)

1500Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1000Hz for 50ms

(played 2 times)
1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,

500Hz for 50ms
1500Hz for 50ms

(played 6 times)

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 2-11

Controls and Display

Table 2.5 Tones for the Viking Portabl e Radios

Message Name Usage Description Audible Description

Key Fail Ptt Indicates denied PTT due to a key

failure.

Keypress Played after a keypress. 1000Hz for 100ms

Low Battery Indicates a low battery. 1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms

Normal Condition Indicates the following conditions:

Conventional penalty timer expired,
Conventional exit OOR, P25 cancel
dynamic regrouping, P25 cancel
selector lock, SN cancel dynamic
regrouping, SN cancel selector lock,
Radio temperature return to normal.

Not Good Condition Indicates that the Keyloader attach

failed.

Out Of Range Indicates that the radio has gone out of

range.

Page Ack Received Indicates that a call alert tx ack has

been received.

Page Received Indicates that a call alert has been

received.

Priority Call Received Priority call alert call received. 600Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms

Ring Interconnect incoming call or outgoing

Unit call.

RSSI Above Fair Level RSSI measurement is above the Fair

threshold.

RSSI Above OOR Level RSSI measurement is above the Out of

Range threshold.

Short Unit Call Conventional: Indicates that a unit call

is being received.
P25 and SN/SZ Trunking: Indicates

that a non-enhanced unit call is being
received.

Side Tone Indicates that a single tone encoder

tone is being transmitted by the radio.

Startup Indicates that the radio is powered up

and ready for use.

Status Message Echo Conventional: Successful Digital RTT,

Message, Status
P25 Trunking: Successful Message
SZ Trunking: Successful Message,

Status

System Call RX Tone Indicates a P25 trunking all-call from

the system (talkgroup 0xFFFF).

1000Hz for 125ms, 0Hz for 75ms
(repeater forever)

(played 2 times)
1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,

1500Hz for 50ms

300Hz for 150ms, 0Hz for 150ms
(played 2 times)

300Hz for 1500ms

1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms
(played 6 times)

1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms
(played 6 times every 6000ms
forever)

(played 2 times)
1129Hz for 25ms, 1477Hz for

25ms (played every 1200ms
forever)

1000Hz for 100ms, 0Hz for
100ms, 1000Hz for 100ms, 0Hz
for 100ms

1000Hz for 100ms, 0Hz for 100ms
(played 4 times)

1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms

800Hz for 100ms (played forever)

1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1500 for 50ms

1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms
(played 6 times)

600Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1200Hz for 50ms

2-12 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Controls and Display

Table 2.5 Tones for the Viking Portable Radios

Message Name Usage Description Audible Description

System Retry P25, SN/SZ trunking: Warns the user

that retries are happening after the
second retry if the user is still holding
down the PTT.

Talk Permit Notifies the user that they may begin

talking.

Temp Change Indicates that the radio temperature is

above the normal range.

Text Message Received Indicates that a text message has been

received.

Unit Call Indicates that the radio is receiving an

enhanced unit call (P25 and SN/SZ
Trunking).

Unit Call Forever Indicates that the radio is receiving an

enhanced unit call (P25 and SN/SZ
Trunking).

This tone will be used if the call
settings are set to ring forever on unit

calls.
Unprogrammed Channel Indicates an unprogrammed channel. 300Hz for 100ms (played forever)
Volume Boundary Indicates that the radio is at a volume

boundary.
250 HZ Used in the Test/Tune Mode Tone

Test.
500 HZ Used in the Test/Tune Mode Tone

Test.
750 HZ Used in the Test/Tune Mode Tone

Test.
1000 HZ Used in the Test/Tune Mode Tone

Test.
1250 HZ Used in the Test/Tune Mode Tone

Test.
1500 HZ Used in the Test/Tune Mode Tone

Test.
1750 HZ Used in the Test/Tune Mode Tone

Test.
2000 HZ Used in the Test/Tune Mode Tone

Test.
2250HZ Used in the Test/Tune Mode Tone

Test.
2500HZ Used in the Test/Tune Mode Tone

Test.
2750HZ Used in the Test/Tune Mode Tone

Test.
3000HZ Used in the Test/Tune Mode Tone

Test.

300Hz for 100ms (played forever)

1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 25ms
(played 3 times)

1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms
(played 2 times)

800Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
500Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms
(played 2 times)

1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms
(played every 6000ms 4 times)

1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms,
1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms
(played every 6000ms forever)

1000Hz for 50ms, 0Hz for 50ms
(played 2 times)

250Hz for 100ms (played forever)

500Hz for 100ms (played forever)

750Hz for 100ms (played forever)

1000Hz for 100ms (played forever)

1250Hz for 100ms (played forever)

1500Hz for 100ms (played forever)

1750Hz for 100ms (played forever)

2000Hz for 100ms (played forever)

2250Hz for 100ms (played forever)

2500Hz for 100ms (played forever)

2750Hz for 100ms (played forever)

3000Hz for 100ms (played forever)

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 2-13

Controls and Display

2-14 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

S ECTION

Section 3General Operation

Programming determines the availability and specific operation of many features. This
usually refers to the programming performed by the programmer when the radio was set
up, not to any programming a user can perform. If a feature is controlled by a front panel
option button and that button is not available, it is probably not available.

If the Keypad Programming option button is available, you can reprogram some
conventional channel parameters. Refer to Section 5.14 for more information.

3.1 Turning Power On and Setting Volume

Power is turned on and off by the top panel ON-OFF/Volume switch.

3.1.1 Licensing

A government license is usually required to operate this radio on the air.

3.1.2 Power Up

When power is initially turned on, the following events occur:

• The EFJohnson Technologies logo is displayed

• A self test is performed.

• The firmware version number is displayed.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 3-1

General Operation

• If the Radio ID feature is enabled, the radio will display the (up to twelve-characters)
Radio ID alias right below the firmware version after the Self Test message during
startup. Radio ID identifies the personality file used to program the radio, the service
area for which the radio is programmed, or functional grouping for which the radio is
programmed. The Radio ID alias display will be included with the Radio Info display
items in both button/scroll and menu modes. If disabled, the Radio ID menu mode will
display “N/A”.

• The current power up zone is displayed. If you are on a channel without a unit ID
(Analog), only the zone is displayed.

• The Individual (Unit/Unique) ID programmed for the power up channel is displayed.

• A tone sounds (if tones are enabled) and the alias of the selected talkgroup is displayed
continuously.

Programming determines if the radio powers up on the last selected zone or the pre­programmed home zone. Refer to Section 3.3 for information on the channel that is
selected. The minimum volume level may be set by programming. This can prevent
missed messages resulting from inadvertently turning the volume to an inaudible level.

3.1.3 Standard and Soft Power Down

To turn power off, rotate the ON-OFF/Volume control counterclockwise until a click
occurs. Power may remain on for an instant after turn-off occurs.

A soft power down feature can be programmed to prevent radio power from being turned
off by accidentally turning the on-off/volume control. Any side button can be programmed
for this function in addition to its normal function. To turn power off, press this button
during or after power is turned off in the normal manner (there is no time out).

The enhanced soft power down feature adds a “standby” mode which mutes audio, turns
off lights, and can block a combination of buttons and switches.

Enhanced Soft Power Down has two modes of operation. The preferred mode can be
programmed to determine the power down mode completed by the radio.

Normal Mode. If the power/volume knob is turned off nothing happens until the
programmed side button is pressed.

Standby Mode. When the power/volume knob is turned off,

“Standby”,

“Standby” until the power knob is turned back on or the user presses a button that has
not been disabled.

audio is muted, and the indicator lights are turned off. The radio remains in

the radio displays

Note No hardware is shut down during standby. This means that power savings while in

standby are negligible allowing the user to have immediate access to the system since they
do not have to power components back up.

3-2 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

General Operation

The volume is set to half of maximum when the radio exits standby due to a button press or
switch change.

3.1.4 Persistent Settings

Settings retained through power cycle of the Viking Portable radios include.

Global Persistent Settings

Scan
Radio Wide Scan
Secure
Tones
Tx Power
Radio Inhibit
Keypad Lockout

Conventional Persistent Settings

Selective Squelch
Repeater Talk Around
Display / Information
Disable Call Guard

P25 Trunking Persistent Settings

Dynamic Regrouping
Site Lock

SmartNet/SmartZone Persistent Settings

Dynamic Regrouping
Site Lock

3.1.5 Setting Volume Level

The volume level is adjusted by the top panel volume control knob, soft buttons
programmed for the up/down volume function, or by option buttons programmed for the
up/down volume function. When the buttons or soft buttons are used, the volume control
function of the knob is disabled (it is still used to switch power). Volume buttons or soft
buttons may be used instead of the knob, for example, if accidental turning of the volume
knob is a problem.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 3-3

General Operation

Note This setting is applicable to Viking Portable radios.

When the volume control buttons or soft buttons are used, the number of steps (ticks)
required to change the volume from the minimum level to maximum level is
programmable for 10 to 50. For example, if “20” is programmed, there are 20 adjustment
steps from minimum to maximum volume.

The radio can also be programmed so that volume control is also be disabled by the
Keypad Lock feature.

The minimum volume level that the volume control can select can be programmed. This
can be used to prevent missed messages caused by unintentionally turning the volume
down too far. Relative levels of 0-255 can be set in steps of 1 (“0” sets the lowest
minimum volume).

The relative volume level can be determined by the position of the index on the volume
knob or by a reference signal as follows:

• If a key press tone is enabled, a short tone sounds when a key is pressed. Tones and
audio can differ depending on how it is programmed.

• If a conventional channel is selected and the Monitor option button or menu parameter

3.2 Clock

The Viking Portable Clock feature allows the user to display and set the date and time in
the desired format on the radio screen. This feature uses the hardware clock so that updates
do not impact radio timing.

On the radio, you can activate the “Set Time” feature, allowing you to do the following:

• Set time format (AM, PM, 24HR)

• Set time (hour, minute)

• Set date format (YMD, MDY, DMY)

is programmed, pressing that button unsquelches the receiver and either voice or
background noise is heard (see Section 5.2). If a SmartNet/SmartZone or P25 Trunking
channel is selected, the receiver cannot be manually unsquelched.

• Set date (year, month, day)

(Menu) saves changes made in the set time feature.

3-4 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

You can also activate the “View Time” feature, displaying the month, day, year, and the
time, including seconds. Since this feature can be used as a timer, it does not time out after
a period of time to return to normal zone/channel display. However, press any button to
exit the feature.

3.3 Zone and Channel Select

The Viking Portable radio supports up to 255 zones with up to 255 channels per zone. The
exact number of channels is dependent on the Software channel options. The total
maximum number of channels is 2048.

Channel or zone selection may be programmed to either the rotary control or the
navigation pad. The zone selection function may also be programmed to the toggle
control. Each function may only be programmed to one control. Neither function must be
programmed.

General Operation

Rotary Control The rotary channel selector on top of the radio. May be set for zone

select, channel select or none. Zone select sets the knob to cycle
through the first 16 zones. Channel select sets the knob to cycle
through the first 16 channels.

Navigation Pad This is the up, down, left, and right switches on the front of the radio.

Zone select allows the user to cycle through all the zones in the profile.
This function allows changes to occur as soon as the button is pressed:
There is no delay. Channel select allows the user to cycle through all
the channels in the profile by pressing the up and down switches. The
radio will loop from the last channel to the first and vice versa using
the up and down switches. The radio will display unprogrammed
channels located between other programmed channels.

Toggle Control This three-position switch on the top of the radio sets the toggle switch

to cycle through the first 3 zones.

3.3.1 Direct Zone / Channel Selection

The Direct Channel Select feature is available if the Channel Select option switch or menu
parameter is programmed. This feature allows channels to be directly selected using the
DTMF keypad numeric keys (DTMF models only) or Up/Down buttons (all models).

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 3-5

General Operation

For direct selection purposes, channels are numbered sequentially starting with the lowest
zone. Each zone can be programmed with up to 255 channels with up to 2048 channels
total.

Seq. Ch. No. Zone Channel

111

255 255
256 2 256

510 510
511 3 511

765 765

.
.

2048

.
.
.

.
.

2048*

Note The total number of supported channels depends on the number optioned for the radio.

Proceed as follows to select channels using this mode:
1 Enable the direct Channel Select mode by pressing the Channel Select option or

selecting the “Chan Selct” menu parameter. The alias and sequential number of the
current channel are alternately displayed.

2 Select the desired channel using the Up/Down buttons or directly enter it using the 0-9

keys (if available). If using the 0-9 keys, the radio attempts to display the entered
number after the third digit is entered or approximately two seconds after the last key is
pressed.

3 To exit this mode and select the entered channel, press the Channel Select switch again

or the (Menu) button. To exit without changing the channel, press the (Clear)
button. This mode is also exited automatically without changing the channel after
approximately one minute of no activity.

Other features of this mode are as follows:

• When using the Up/Down buttons, wrap-around to the lowest zone/channel occurs after
the last channel in the highest programmed zone is displayed and vice versa. For
example, if Zone 1/Channel 5 is the highest programmed channel, wrap-around occurs
after Zone 1/Channel 5 is displayed.

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General Operation

• If an invalid channel number is entered using the 0-9 keys, or the (Menu) or
Channel Select option switch is pressed, an error tones sounds, “Invalid” is briefly
displayed, and the displayed channel does not change.

• The Rotary Control is programmed for channel select, the switch may not correctly
indicate the selected channel after direct channel selection is used. However, if this
switch is enabled and rotated, it selects the channel it is indicating. For example, if the
switch index is pointing to channel 3 and channel 15 of the current zone is being
displayed, rotating it to channel 4 selects channel 4 of the current zone.

3.3.2 Zone Edit

Users can build a virtual zone consisting of channels already present in the radio. They can
add or remove channels from zones while the radio was running is allowed, allowing
changes to be made at runtime.

The Zone Edit feature can be programmed. It can be toggled on or off on a per-zone basis.
When enabled, it allows you to copy and delete existing channels from a zone.

Only channels within Zone Edit enabled zones can be selected for editing.

• Zone Edit mode can be entered via button press or the menu.

• A momentary button press performs channel copy.

• A press-and-hold performs channel delete.

To copy a channel:

1 Navigate to the channel and select "channel copy".
2 Select the destination, first the zone and then the channel.
3 These can be selected by the navigation pad or using direct entry.
4 If the destination channel exists, it is overwritten without warning.

When deleting a channel, first select a zone and then the channel to delete.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 3-7

General Operation

There are a number of restrictions in place to prevent you from causing problems with the
existing radio configuration. If you want to copy or delete a channel that is blocked by one
of these restrictions, the radio programming software can be used to make the change.
(Please contact your system administrator.)

Copy

Condition

The destination channel is the current
channel

The selected zone is full (255 Channels) No Yes
The radio has no free channels No Yes
The channel is a fire mode channel No No
The channel is a scan list channel No No
The channel is a RWS list channel No No
The channel is a global emergency

channel

Allowed?

No No

No No

3.4 Battery and Accessory Connector

The following provides Battery and Accessory Connector information.

Delete
Allowed?

3.4.1 Battery Removal / Installation

To remove the battery from the radio for recharging or replacement, press the release
button (see Figure 3.1) and then rotate it upward to the approximate point shown and
remove it from the radio.

Figure 3.1 Battery Removal

Battery
Release
Button

Release and rotate upward

3-8 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

General Operation

3.4.2 Low Battery Indication

Note If the radio contains encryption keys and is not programmed for infinite key retention, be

sure to reattach a battery within approximately 3 minutes to prevent the loss of these keys
(see following). Estimated time for losing keys with infinite key retention unchecked is 3.5
minutes.

A low-battery condition is indicated by the icon in the display. The level of the
battery may be indicated in Top Display and/or Front Display of the radio if programmed.
The fuel level is indicated by the bar in the icon. (For specific levels for each icon, please
refer to Table 2.3, “Display Icons”.) The battery should be recharged or replaced as soon
as possible, after this indication appears. Once this indication appears, it stays on until
power is cycled.

When the battery drains to 10% (the low-battery state), audible and visual low battery
indicators (if programmed) are activated. The following additional low battery indications
and conditions may be enabled:

• A chirp sounds every 60 seconds in the receive standby and transmit modes.

• A chirp sounds each time the PTT switch is pressed.

• The top panel LED indicator flashes red every 30 seconds in the receive mode.

• Low power is selected when transmitting.

As previously indicated, the radio may need to be connected to a constant power source to
preserve the encryption keys in memory. This is required if “infinite key retention” is not
programmed. To allow the battery to be changed without losing the keys with this feature
disabled, storage capacitors maintain the supply voltage to memory for approximately 3.5
minutes without a battery attached. Therefore, be sure to reattach a battery within that
time. Refer to Section 8 for more information on encryption keys.

3.4.3 Battery Charging

Note When a battery is charged while attached to the radio, make sure radio power is off (see

following).

The battery can be charged separately or while attached to the radio. When it is charged
while attached to the radio, radio power should be turned off. If it is not, the battery begins
slowly discharging when the charger enters the trickle charge mode. This mode is
indicated by a green Ready indication, and it is entered automatically when the battery is
nearly fully charged. Gradual discharging occurs in the trickle mode because the charge
current is less than the radio standby current (of approximately 200 mA).

Be sure to read the instructions for operation of the battery charger, and follow all of them
carefully.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 3-9

General Operation

Note The Li-P battery can only be charged in an approved battery charger. Charging lithium

batteries in nickel only chargers can result in overcharging the batteries and can damage
the cells through swelling.

CAUTION

!

Do not transmit in close proximity to the charger base (see following).

Do not expose the charger base to high level RF signals while a battery is being charged
because this may cause a charger fuse to blow (especially in the UHF range). Radios
programmed for SmartNet/SmartZone operation, for example, may affiliate while in the
charger which causes them to automatically key. Therefore, do not leave radio power on
while charging as described above.

3.4.4 Belt clip Installation

Remove the battery and slide the belt clip into the slot on the battery until it locks into
place (see Figure 3.2). To remove the belt clip, squeeze the tab on the end of the belt clip
and slide the belt clip out.

Figure 3.2 Belt clip Installation

Slot for clip

Belt Clip

Battery Pack

Retention Spring Tab

3.4.5 Connecting an Accessory

To connect an accessory to the transceiver, proceed as follows:

1 Remove the protective cover over the accessory jack on the side of the transceiver.
2 Insert the hook on the lower end of the accessory connector into the slot on the side of

the transceiver.

3 Rotate the latch open, press the connector against the transceiver, and then release the

latch to lock the connector in place.

3-10 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

General Operation

4 Install the included locking screw in the latch tab in the location shown.

Figure 3.3 Accessory Connector

Install lock
screw here

Latch

Accessory

Hook

3.5 Backlight

The backlight for the display and option buttons can be pr ogrammed to automatically turn
on when any key/button is pressed. If this option is not enabled, the backlight can be
programmed to turn on for a specified period when the backlight button is pressed. The
specified period, set by programming, can be 0 to 75 seconds. After this period, the
backlight will automatically turn off. If the user presses the backlight button again before
the specified period has elapsed, the backlight will turn off immediately.

Note If the backlight is programmed for 0.0 seconds ON time, pressing the backlight button

toggles the backlight on or off.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 3-11

General Operation

3.6 Keypad Lock

The Keypad Lock feature temporarily disables the front panel keys to prevent keys from
being accidentally pressed. This feature is available if the Keypad Lock option button is
programmed. To lock the keypad, press the Keypad Lock option button. Then to unlock
the keypad again, press and hold this button until a tone sound s.

Keypad Lockout can also be programmed disabling controls until the radio is
reprogrammed. The keypad is permanently disabled and cannot be enabled by the user.
Additional information on this feature follows.

• The three side buttons and top emergency button can be programmed so that they are
locked. (The Emergency function button is never locked out.)

• The “Front Keypad” function can be selected by programming. The front panel keys but
not the side panel option buttons are then disabled by the preceding Keypad Lock and
Permanent Lock functions. If this function is not selected, both the front and side panel
buttons are disabled. The PTT switch is usually not disabled. However, if enabled in
programming, the radio will ignore PTT attempts when an external m ic r ophone is
attached.

• The Rotary Control, Toggle Control and Volume knob can be programmed so that the y
are locked by the Keypad Lock function.

• The volume control is permanently disabled if Volume Up/Down soft buttons are
programmed. Refer to Section 3.1.5, "Setting Volume Level" for more information.

• The radio may be programmed to enable the backlight when a key that is currently
locked out is pressed. DTMF dialing may be disabled when programming conv en tion a l
channels.

3.7 Radio Inhibit

The radio can receive inhibit commands over the air or through the side port. When the
radio receives an inhibit command the screen goes blank, audio stops, lights turn off, and
most of the controls are disabled. The radio is (from the user's perspective) frozen. Behind
the scenes, however, the radio is still running. It is waiting for an uninhibit command. If it
receives an uninhibit command, the radio User Interface is enabled and the radio will
operate normally. The general idea behind the feature is fairly simple but there are
exceptions.

• The radio will power down using the power switch even if it is inhibited. The display
will show “Powering Down…” until the radio turns off.

• The radio will power up using the power switch even if it is inhibited. The display will
show the boot image and the "Self Test" message but will be blank thereafter.

3-12 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

• If the radio has Soft Power Down mode enabled and the radio gets inhibited, the radio
will ignore the Soft Power Down settings and power off normally.

3.8 Setting Squelch

The user can program a menu item, or function button, for squelch adjust. While on a
conventional analog channel without emergency or scan active, the user can select the
programmed button or menu item for squelch adjust. The current squelch setting will
show on the display. Using the up and down buttons on the portable radio, the user can
adjust the squelch setting to a desired level from -7 to +7. Increasing the value towards +7
causes the squelch to open sooner for weaker signals while decreasing towards -7 has the
opposite effects. Pressing the select button will store the new squelch setting and return
the user to the main display.

The squelch level is preset and may not require readjustment. However, if the squelch
threshold needs to be changed on a conventional analog channel, it can be changed in the
same way as though using keypad programming if available. The squelch level is preset
during alignment. If the keypad programming feature is available (see Section 5.14), the
squelch threshold can be changed by the user on each conventional analog channel.

General Operation

Note The Keypad Programming feature is available to Federal Government users only.

3.9 Transmit Disable

Transmitting can be disabled on each conventional, SmartNet, SmartZone, and P25
Trunking channel so that the channel is monitor-only. When transmitting is attempted on a
receive-only channel, “Rx Only” is displayed and an error tone sounds. This is
programmed for each radio.

3.10 Operation At Extended Range

When approaching the limits of radio range, the other party may not be able to hear your
transmissions and there may be an increase in background noise when messages are
received. You may still be out of range even though you can hear a message. The reason
for this is that the signal you are receiving is usually transmitted at a higher power level
than the one transmitted by your radio. Communication may be improved by moving to
higher ground or away from shielding objects such as tall buildings or hills.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 3-13

General Operation

3.11 Radio Operating Modes

Each selectable channel can be programmed for the conventional (analog or Project 25
digital), SmartNet/SmartZone, or Project 25 digital trunking operating mode. For example,
Zone 1/Channel 1 could be a conventional channel, Zone 1/Channel 2 a P25 Trunking
channel, and so on. More information on these modes follows.

Note All operating modes utilize certain functions that are activated/deactivated by pressing

and holding a particular key/button or switch. The “hold” interval is preset. When
instructed to “press and hold”, do so until the desired action occurs. For other operations
(not specified “press and hold”) only momentary pressing is required.

The user has the ability to use two different timers for Emergency mode (Conventional
system) - one to enable and one to disable emergency mode, preventing accidental
enabling and disabling of emergency mode. With Emergency Press and Hold enabled,
emergency mode is enabled when the Button Press/Hold Duration Timer expires. In both
cases, emergency mode is cancelled when the Button Press/Hold Emergency Cancel Timer
expires.

3.11.1 Conventional Mode

This is a non-trunked operating mode which accesses independent radio channels. There is
no automatic access to several channels. Selecting a conventional channel selects a
transmit and receive frequency and other channel parameters such as squelch control
coding.

Conventional channels can be either standard (analog), Project 25 (digital) or mix mode.
With digital operation, the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) converts the audio signal to
digital data packets. Another difference is that analog channels use Call Guard (CTCSS/
DCS) squelch control and Project 25 channels use a Network Access Code (NAC) and
talkgroup ID codes.

With Project 25 operation, a NAC is transmitted which must match the NAC programmed
in the repeater or base station equipment and the radio(s) being called for communication
to occur. In addition, to receive standard group calls, the receiving radio must be
programmed to detect the transmitted talkgroup ID code.

With conventional operation, a busy channel condition is detected automatically if the
busy channel lockout (transmit disable on busy) feature is programmed. Otherwise, it must
be detected manually. An out-of-range condition is not indicated by special tones or
messages as with trunking operation because there is no initial data exchange with the
repeater that allows this condition to be detected. Operating features unique to
conventional channels are described in Section 5.

3-14 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

General Operation

3.11.2 SmartNet / SmartZone Mode

This is a trunked operating mode in which automatic access is provided to several RF
channels. ID codes are used to select what radios are being called and what calls are
received. Monitoring is performed automatically and special messages and tones indicate
busy and out-of-range conditions.

SmartNet and SmartZone operation and programming is very similar. Basically, SmartNet
operation is limited to a single repeater site and SmartZone operation allows automatic
roaming between sites. Enhanced SmartNet/SmartZone features include roaming
(SmartZone only), telephone, private, and emergency calls, Call Alert™, and messaging.
Either analog or digital signaling may be used (digital is optional).

When a SmartNet or SmartZone channel is selected or the radio is powered up on one of
those channels, the alias (name) of the selected channel is displayed as the radio searches
for a control channel. Once a control channel is found, the radio attempts to register on the
trunked system. If a control channel could not be found (because of an out of range
condition or the system ID is not correct, for example), “No Sys” (early units) or “Out Of
Rng” (later units) is displayed and the radio continues to search for a control channel.

The control channel transmits and receives system information to and from all radios
registered on the system. Therefore, once a control channel is found, it is continuously
monitored for incoming call information and is used to make call requests. The radio
automatically changes to a traffic channel to place and receive calls and then returns to the
control channel when the call is complete. Operating features unique to SmartNet/
SmartZone channels are described in Section 6.

3.11.3 P25 Trunked Mode

The P25 Trunking operating features are very similar to the SmartZone type. Some
differences between the P25 Trunking and SmartZone modes are as follows:

• Digital signaling is always used with P25 calls. Either analog or digital signaling may
be used for SmartZone calls.

• Calls made to a specific radio in the P25/SmartZone/SmartNet/P25 Trunked modes are
called Unit Calls.

• Messaging is not available with P25 calls.

• Telephone calls are available.

• The P25 control channel data rate is 9600 baud and the digital voice data rate is also
9600 baud. With SmartZone operation, the control channel data rate is 3600 baud (both
digital and analog calls) and the narrowband digital voice data rate is 9600 baud.

• The P25 mode uses a system ID, Wide Area Communications Network (WACN) ID,
and RF Subsystem ID (RFSS). The SmartZone mode does not use the WACN and
RFSS IDs.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 3-15

General Operation

• P25 Unit IDs can be 1-16,777,215 (000001-FFFFFF hex) and SmartZone Unit IDs can
be 1-65,535 (0001-FFFF hex).

3.11.4 Systems, Channels, and Zones

A zone and channel are selected to place and receive calls. The following describes the
relationship between systems, channels, and zones.

3.11.4.1 Conventional, Trunked Systems

A system is a collection of channels or talkgroups belonging to the same repeater site. It
defines all the parameters and protocol information required to access a site. Up to 255
systems of any type can be programmed depending on the option enabled.

The maximum number of channels assignable to a system is limited to 2048. Channels
may also be limited by available memory space as described in the following information.

3.11.4.2 Channels

A channel selects a radio (RF) channel or talkgroup as follows:

Conventional Analog Mode - A channel selects a specific radio channel, Call Guard
(CTCSS/DCS) squelch coding, and other parameters unique to that channel.

Conventional Project 25 Mode - A channel selects a specific radio channel, NAC
squelch coding, talkgroup ID, and other parameters unique to that channel.

Trunked Project 25 Modes - A channel selects a specific talkgroup, announcement
group, emergency group, and other parameters unique to that talkgroup.

A maximum of up to 2048 channels can be programmed with the preceding modes
depending on the option enabled. These channels can belong to a single system or multiple
systems.

3.11.4.3 Zones

A zone is a collection of up to 255 channels of any type. For example, a zone could include
12 conventional channels and four P25 Trunking channels. One use of zones may be to
program the channels used for operation in different geographical areas. The maximum
number of zones is 255.

3-16 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

4.1 Viewing Radio Information

The Viking Portable radio has a function button for “Radio Info”. When this button is
pressed, the following information is displayed.

S ECTION

Section 4Radio-wide Features

•Band

• ESN

• SNDCP IP address

• Encryption key information

• Unit ID (which is tied to the system that is currently active.)

•Radio ID

• Memory type

• Software version

• Temperature

• Battery capacity (%)

As the user cycles through items, they scroll across the display. The user may pause and/or
move text back and forth using the same controls as in text messaging.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 4-1

Radio-wide Features

4.2 Option Keys / Buttons

Most of the keys/buttons on this radio are programmable (see Table 4.1) as follows:

• On the side panel, the three buttons above the PTT switch (see Figure 2.3).

• On the front panel, buttons and , if soft buttons are disabled, and all DTMF
buttons (see Figure 2.1).

• On the top panel, the rotary three-position switch and the red button (see Figure 2.2).

The functions that can be controlled by option buttons are shown in Table 4.1. Each option
button can be programmed to control a different function in each of the three operating
modes. For example, (Clear) can control one function when a conventional channel is
selected, another when a SmartNet/SmartZone channel is selected, and still another when
a Project 25 trunking channel is selected.

Table 4.1 Programmable Option Button and Menu Mode Functions

X = Available in Mode:

Conventio

Function

Alert tones On-Off XXXXTones TONES
Auto Site Search X X Auto Site SITE
Backlight On-Off (portable)XXXXBacklightBKLHT
Call Alert Select (Paging) X X X X Call Alert ALERT
Call Response Select X X X Call Resp RESP
Cancel Dynamic Regroup XXXCancel DRCANDR
Change Keyset (OTAR) XXXXChg KeysetKYSET
Channel Select XXXXChan Selct CHAN
Clear/Secure Encryption

Select
Clock X X X X ClockXXXXClockCLOCK
Contrast (portable only)XXXXContrastCONTR
Disable Call Guard X Disable CG DISCG
Display GPS XXXXGPSGPS
Display Information Select

(frequency or channel display)
Emergency Mode Select X X X X Emergency EMER
Emergency Clear X X Emerg Clr EMCLR
Erase Keys, OTAR

(menu only)
Fire Commander 1 XXXX CDR 1
Fire Commander 2 XXXX CDR 2
Fire Commander 3 XXXX CDR 3

Shaded features support the secondary press and hold function.on the portable radios

nal

XXXXSecuritySECR

X Display DISP

X X X X Erase Keys KYCLR

Project 25
Trunking

SMART
NET

Smart
Zone

Menu Display
Defaults

Soft Button
Alias

4-2 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Radio-wide Features

Table 4.1 Programmable Option Button and Menu Mode Functions (Continued)

X = Available in Mode:

Conventio

Function

Fire Commander 4 XXXX CDR 4
Fire Evac Alert X FEVAC
First Responder 1 XXXX RSP 1
First Responder 2 XXXX RSP 2
First Responder 3 XXXX RSP 3
First Responder 4 XXXX RSP 4
Function Recall XXXXFunc RcallFRCAL
Hi/Lo Power XXXXTx PowerTXPWR
Home X X X XHomeHOME
Home 2 X X X X Home 2 HOME2
Key Select, OTAR X X Key Select KYSEL
Keypad Lock Select (portable

only)
Keypad Programming Select X Keypad Prg KPPRG
Messaging Select X X X Message MSG
Monitor Mode Select X Monitor MON
Mute/Unmute XXXXAudio MuteMUTE
Normal/Selective Squelch

Select
OORI Tone On/Off X OORI Tone OORI
P25 Packet Data X X P25 Data DATA
Phone Call Select X X X X Phone PHONE
Priority Channel Select X Priority PRI
Radio Information XXXXRadio InfoINFO
Radio Wide Scan XXXXRW ScanRWS
Radio Wide Scan SelectXXXXRWS SelctRWSLS
Rekey Request X X OTAR Rekey OTAR
Repeater Talk-Around Select X Talk Arnd RTA
Request to Talk XRTTRTT
RWS List Edit XXXXRWS EditSWSED
RWS List Select XXXXRWS SelctRWSSLS
Scan Mode Select X X X XScanSCAN
Scan List Edit SelectXXXXScan EditSCNED
Scan List Select X (portable)XXXScan SelctSCSEL
Single Tone Encoder

(portable only)
Site Lock Select X X Site Lock LOCK

Shaded features support the secondary press and hold function.on the portable radios

nal

X X X X (Opt sw only) KPDLK

X Squelch SQUEL

X Sng Tn Enc SNGTN

Project 25
Trunking

SMART
NET

Smart
Zone

Menu Display
Defaults

Soft Button
Alias

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 4-3

Radio-wide Features

Table 4.1 Programmable Option Button and Menu Mode Functions (Continued)

X = Available in Mode:

Conventio

Function

Site Search Select X X Site Srch SSRCH
Squelch Adjust X Sql Adj SQLAD
Squelch (Code) Select List X Sqlch Code SQSEL
Status Select XXXXStatusSTS
Surveillance Mode Select XXXXSurv ModeSURV
Talkgroup Lock X TG Lock TG LK
Talkgroup Select X Select TG TGSEL
Text Messaging X Text Msg TEXT
Tone Volume Edit - Alert XXXXAlert VolAVOL
Tone Volume Edit - Keypad XXXXKeyprs VolKVOL
Two Tone Encoder X Two Tn Enc TWOTN
Unit Call Select X X X X Unit Call UCALL
Unprogrammed

(

Note The button is not

used.)

Volume Down (portable only)XXXX(Opt sw only)VOLDN
Volume Up (portable only)XXXX(Opt sw only)VOLUP
Zone Edit XXXXZone Edit ZONEE
Zone Select XXXXZone Selct ZONE

Shaded features support the secondary press and hold function.on the portable radios

nal

XXXX

Project 25
Trunking

SMART
NET

Smart
Zone

Menu Display
Defaults

Soft Button
Alias

** Set User Password function is currently not applicable.

4.3 Feature Enable / Disable

One of the function buttons may be programmed to enable/disable certain features. These
features have binary ON/OFF stat es, an d the programmed button toggles the feature to the
alternate state. Figure 4.2 identifies features that may be enabled or disabled using the
programmed button. One short beep indicates the feature is ON; two short beeps indicate
the feature is OFF.

Table 4.2 Features which May Be Enabled/Disabled using the Function Button

Function Conventional

Alert Tones x x x
Backlight x x x

SmartNet/
SmartZone P25 Trunking

4-4 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Radio-wide Features

Table 4.2 Features which May Be Enabled/Disabled using the Function Button (Continued)

SmartNet/

Function Conventional

Clear / Secure x x x
High / Low Power x x x
Keypad Lock x x x
Monitor x
Mute / Unmute x x x
Radio Wide Scan x x x
Repeater Talk Around x
Scan x x x
Selective Squelch (ON) /

Normal Squelch (OFF)
Site Lock x x
Surveillance Mode x x x
Zone Lock x x x

x

SmartZone P25 Trunking

Enter the feature you wish to use with function buttons or the menu. Features are exited
using function buttons or the (Clear) and (Menu) buttons. Function button and
(Clear) button exit the feature without saving. The (Menu) button exits the feature and
saves changes. Use the Left and Right buttons in ways that make sense for the specific
function.

4.4 Menu Mode

Most functions that can be controlled by an option button can also be controlled by the
menu mode. The functions that can be controlled by the menu mode are shown in Table

4.1. Functions can be controlled by both an option button and a menu parameter if desired.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 4-5

Radio-wide Features

When the menu mode is used, the (Clear) and (Menu) buttons become dedicated
menu mode control switches (see following illustration). The (Clear) button is Back/
Clear, and the (Menu) button is Menu Select/Enter. If the menu mode is disabled,
these buttons can be programmed for other functions.

Figure 4.1 Menu Mode Buttons

Navigation
Pad

F1

Clear

F2

Menu

Only the enabled menu items which apply to the selected channel type are displayed. For
example, if a conventional chann el is selected , only the enabled functions for conventional
channels are displayed.

When in the menu mode, messages continue to be received on the selected channel.
However, the display does not indicate who is calling. Pressing the PTT switch exits the
menu mode and keys the transmitter.

The menu mode operates as follows:

1 To select the menu mode, press the (Menu) button.
2 To scroll up or down through the menu parameter list, press the Up/Down buttons. The

selected parameter is indicated by a dark bar.

3 To display the available modes for a highlighted parameter, press the (Menu)

button. The currently selected mode is indicated by an indicator or arrow ( ).

4 Press the Up/Down buttons to highlight the desired mode. Then press the (Menu)

button to select that mode.

5 To step back to the previous level or exit the menu mode, press the (Clear) button.

4-6 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

4.5 Function Recall

A function recall button or menu item can be programmed so that if the user presses this
button or activates its menu item, the radio enters Function Recall mode, and the display
flashes “Recall On”. Pressing any button displays the function assigned to that button for a
specified period. If that same button is pressed again during the specified period, the radio
performs the function assigned to that button and then exits Function Recall mode.

Function Recall mode can also be exited by pressing the Function Recall button once
(without pressing another function button).

Note If the user presses a function button programmed for Emergency while Function Recall is

activated, Function Recall is aborted. The radio will proceed to perform the programmed
Emergency function.

Radio-wide Features

4.6 Time-Out Timer

The time-out timer disables the transmitter if it is keyed continuously for longer than the
programmed time. It can be programmed for 0 to 225 seconds or it can be disabled by
programming 0 seconds.

If the transmitter is keyed for longer than the programmed time, the transmitter is disabled,
a continuous tone sounds, and “TX Timeout” is displayed. Five seconds b efore time-out
occurs, a warning beep sounds to indicate that time-out is approaching. The timer and tone
are reset by releasing the PTT switch.

A different time can be programmed for each system, and the Time Out Alert can be
enabled or disabled on each conventional channel. With conventional channels, a penalty
time may also be programmed that prevents transmissions for a certain time after the
transmitter is disabled (see Section 5.5, "Penalty Timer").

One use of this feature is to prevent a channel from being kept busy for an extended period
by an accidentally keyed transmitter. It can also prevent possible transmitter damage
caused by transmitting for an excessively long period.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 4-7

Radio-wide Features

4.7 Home Channel Select

If the Home option button is programmed, pressing it selects the pre-programmed Home
channel. This provides a quick way of returning to a frequently used channel. Pressing and
holding this button until a tone sounds makes the currently selected channel the new
Home. (The radio can be programmed to ignore this press-and-hold function). The radio is
also programmed so that either the Home or last selected channel is automatically selected
when power is turned on. A secondary Home Zone or Home Channel 2, may also be
programmed.

Note The radio can be optionally programmed so that pressing and holding the Home option

button causes the radio to switch to the existing Home or Home 2 instead of making the
current selection the new Home.

Home Zone and Home Channel cannot both be set to "Selected" simultaneously. The same
applies for Home Zone 2 and Home Channel 2. If Home or Home 2 is set to "Selected,"
then Home Channel or Home Channel 2, respectively, will populate with channels 1 to

256.

If the user programs Home Channel or Home Channel 2 to a channel that is
unprogrammed in the "Selected" zone, the display will show "Unprogrammed" and the
unprogrammed channel tone will be heard. The radio is not in a locked state. Changin g the
channel or zone to a valid channel will allow normal radio operation.

4.8 Power Output Select

Each conventional channel and SmartNet/SmartZone and P25 Trunked system can be
programmed for high, low, or switchable power. If the High/Low Power option button or
menu parameter is programmed and selectable power is programmed on the current
channel or system, high and low transmitter power can be selected. All models support
high and low power. The low power level is typically 1 watt and the high power level the
rated power output of the radio (3 - 5 watts, depending on frequency band).

The new level is flashed in the display as either “High Power” or “Low Power”. If
selectable power is not permitted on the current channel, “Fixed Low” or “Fixed High” is
flashed and no change occurs. The selected power level for a channel or system is
permanent until it is manually changed again. The low power mode may be automatically
selected during a low battery condition (see Section 3.4.2, "Low Battery Indication").

4-8 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

4.9 Alert Tone Select

The various alert tones that sound are described in Section 2.5. These tones can be turned
ON and OFF if the Alert Tone option button or Tones menu parameter is programmed.
When all tones are OFF “Tone Off” is momentarily displayed, and when all tones are on,
“Tone On” is momentarily displayed. If this button or menu parameter is not programmed,
tones are fixed in the on or off mode by programming. If the Surveillance mode is
programmed (see following), tones are totally disabled.

The Alert Tone volume can be adjusted relative to the volume control setting. This is done
by programming and also by the user if the Tone Volume Adjust option button or menu
parameter is programmed. Relative levels of –170 to +170 can be set with “0” the default
setting. The range is divided into the number of volume ticks set in “Volume Ticks”. For
example, if “Volume Ticks” is 10, the tone adjustment on the radio will go from -5 to 5. A
minus value decreases the tone volume and a plus value increases it. The user adjusted
level permanently overrides the programmed level if applicable.

Radio-wide Features

4.10 Surveillance Mode

Surveillance mode is a programmable option that can be used to totally disable the
backlight, all alert tones, and front panel LED indicator in all operating modes. The radio
can be fixed in this mode by programming or it can be turned on and off by the user if the
Surveillance Mode option button or menu parameter is programmed. The user selected
mode permanently overrides the programmed mode if app licable.

The transmit/receive LED indicator, display and keypad backlight, and all alert tones can
be programmed to be disabled. When “Enabled on Startup” setting is enabled, the radio
will power up in Surveillance mode with the selected options active. A function button can
also be assigned which will activate and deactivate surveillance mode at the user’s
discretion. It overrides any other programming of these functions such as a Tone or
Backlight option button.

4.11 Scanning

Scanning can be performed in the Priority Scan Mode or the Radio Wide Scan Mode.
Scanning monitors the channels in the scan list for traffic that the radio is programmed to
receive. When traffic is detected, scanning stops and the message is received. Shortly after
traffic is complete, scanning resumes.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 4-9

Radio-wide Features

If programmed, auto scanning can be enabled on a per channel setting. If enabled for a
channel, the radio begins to scan automatically after changing to that channel.

The user can enter the scan list edit mode for the selected scan list while the radio is
scanning without manually turning scan off. If the user presses the scan edit button while
the radio is scanning, the radio shall stop scan and enter directly into scan list edit mode
for the selected scan list. The scan edit mode shall timeout after seven seconds of
inactivity. If the scan edit mode times out, or the user exits the mode via the exit button or
the scan list edit function button, the radio shall save the changes to the scan list and restart
scan.

There are two basic scan modes available: Priority (Standard) and Radio Wide. The
operation of the priority type is unique to the type of channel selected, and the operation of
Radio Wide type is the same regardless of the type of channel selected. Only one type can
be enabled at a time. For example, if priority scanning is enabled and radio wide scanning
is selected, priority scanning is automatically disabled and vice versa. More information
on these types of scanning follows.

4.11.1 Priority Scanning

Priority scanning (also referred to as standard scan) monitors only channels that are the
same type as that currently selected. For example, if a conventional channel is selected,
only conventional channels are scanned and likewise for SmartNet/SmartZone and Project
25 Trunked channels.

More information on how priority scanning operates in the Conventional Mode is located
in Section 5.10, "Conventional Mode Scanning", and for the other modes in Section 6.10,
"SmartNet / SmartZone / P25 Trunked Scanning Features". Priority scanning is turned on
and off by the Scan option button or menu parameter as follows. If this button or menu
parameter is not programmed, Priority scanning is not available.

• Enable scanning using the Scan option button or menu parameter. Scanning is enabled
when “Scan On” is briefly displayed and the icon is indicated.

• To turn scanning off, press the Scan option button again or select “Off” in the scan
menu. Scanning is disabled when “Scan Off” is briefly displayed and the icon is no
longer indicated.

• If the zone or channel is changed while scanning is selected, scanning continues on the
same or a different scan list (see Section 4.11.5.1, "Group / Priority Scan Lists").

Note Each Conventional, SmartNet/SmartZone and P25 Trunked channel can be programmed

so that scanning is automatically enabled when the channel is selected.

4-10 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

Radio-wide Features

When the transmitter is keyed while scanning is enabled, the transmission may occur on
various channels as follows.

Conventional Operation - Transmissions can be programmed to always occur on the
selected or active channel (if applicable). Refer to Section 5.10, "Conventional Mode
Scanning" for more information.

SmartNet/SmartZone/P25 Trunked Operation - If scanning is halted to receive a
message, programming determines if transmissions occur on the selected or active
channel. Transmissions at other times occur on the selected channel.

4.11.2 Radio Wide Scanning

Radio wide scanning monitors the channels in the pre programmed radio-wide scan list.
This scan list can include up to 255 channels of any type and assigned to any zone (see
Section 4.11.5.2, "Radio Wide Scan Lists"). Radio wide scanning is turned on and off by
the Radio Wide Scan option button or menu parameter as follows:

• Enable Radio Wide Scanning using the Radio Wide Scan option button or menu
parameter. Radio wide scanning is enabled when “RW Scan On” is briefly displayed
and the icon is indicated.

• To turn radio wide scanning off, press the Radio Wide Scan option button again or
select “Off” in the menu. Scanning is disabled when “RW Scan Off” is briefly displayed
and the icon is no longer indicated.

• If the zone or channel is changed while radio wide scanning, scanning continues
normally.

Priority sampling is not available when using Radio Wide Scan.

Note Use radio wide scanning only if two different channel types need to be scanned at the

same time such as conventional and SmartNet/SmartZone. Otherwise, use the more
efficient “Priority Scan” feature, which has less chance of missed scanned traffic.

The radio can be programmed to transmit on the selected or active channel similar to
SmartNet/SmartZone and P25 trunked operation just described.

4.11.3 Scan Hold Time

When traffic is received or transmitted while scanning, there is a delay before scanning
resumes. The delay after receiving a call prevents other traffic from being received before
a response can be made. The delay after transmitting ensures that a response is heard
instead of other traffic from occurring on some other channel.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 4-11

Radio-wide Features

Separate delay times are programmable for radio wide and priority scanning. With radio
wide scanning, delays of 2-7.5 seconds are programmable in 0.5-seco nd steps. With
priority scanning, delays of 0-7.5 seconds are programmable in 0.5-second steps. With
SmartNet/SmartZone and P25 Trunked scanning, scan delays of 0-8 seconds can be
programmed in 0.5-second steps.

4.11.4 Nuisance Channel Delete

With priority scanning, channels can be temporarily deleted from the scan list, for
example, if messages become annoying. This feature is not available with radio wide
scanning. Channels can also be permanently added or deleted from a scan list as described
in the next sections. Use the following steps to temporarily delete a nuisance channel:

Note The selected channel and also priority channels cannot be deleted from the scan list.

1 While receiving a message on the channel to be deleted, press and hold the Scan option

button until a tone sounds (based on radio programming). The channel is deleted and
scanning of the remaining channels in the scan list resumes.

2 Deleted channels are added back into the scan list if any of the following occur:

- Scanning is turned off and then on again using the Scan option button or menu

parameter.

- Radio power is turned off and then on again.

- The selected channel is changed.

4.11.5 Scan Lists

Priority and Radio Wide Scan lists can be programmed.

Note With scan disabled by programming, the user can reset the scan lists to their default

programmed state. Pressing and holding the Scan Edit button allows the user to access the
feature. “Reset Lists” will be displayed. Pressing the select key will reset the lists and
“Lists Reset” will be temporarily displayed before returning the user to the main display.
Pressing and holding Scan Edit while scan is on will result in a “tone bad” beep. This
shall only be accessible through a function button press and hold and won’t be
implemented though a menu item.

4-12 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

4.11.5.1 Group / Priority Scan Lists

A scan list is the channels that are scanned when scanning is enabled. With all operating
modes, as many priority scan lists as are required can usually be programmed (up to 255).
The only limitation is the available memory. Each scan list can include up to 255
channels/talkgroups. More information on selecting and editing priority scan lists follows.

Note The selected channel is always scanned.

Radio-wide Features

4.11.5.1.1 Determining Channels

The channels in conventional priority scan lists are indica
follows. Channels in SmartNet/SmartZone/P25 Trunked priority scan lists are indicated
only when editing a scan list (see “Editing a Priority Scan List” which follows).

1 Enable priority scanning using the Scan button or menu parameter. Also select the scan

list if applicable as described in the following “Selecting a Priority Scan List”
description.

2 Select the desired zone and then scroll through the channels by rotating the channel

switch. When the displayed channel is in the scan list (scanned normally), the icon
is displayed.

4.11.5.1.2 Selecting a Priority Scan List

Note Only priority scan lists are selectable.

Conventional systems can be programmed with a scan list that is normally selected by all
channels in that system. However, there is a programmable option to slave a particular
conventional scan list to a zone. This then becomes the default list for all conventional
channels in that zone (it overrides the system programming).

in Priority Scan List

ted by selecting the scan mode as

The default scan list (which is to be used by all conventional channels except those
belonging to slaved zones), can be temporarily changed by using the Scan List Select
option button or the menu parameter. A scan list selected in this manner is retained
through radio power down.

Conventional, SmartNet/SmartZone and Project 25 Trunked Channels - Each channel
(talkgroup) can be programmed so that one of the programmed lists is selected or scanning
is disabled (No List). In addition, channels can be programmed so that scanning is
automatically enabled (Auto Scan) when they are selected.

If the Scan (List) Select option button or menu parameter is programmed, the list that is
selected by all talk and announcement groups in the current system can be temporarily
changed by the user as follows. “None” (scanning disabled) or “Programmed” (default
list) can also be selected if desired. The temporary programmed scan list is retained
through radio power down.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 4-13

Radio-wide Features

The scan list is user selectable by the SCAN option switch. The scan list can also be
temporarily changed if the Scan List Select option switch is programmed or by pressing/
holding the scan button. Refer to Section 5.10.1 for more information.To change the
currently selected scan list (all channel types), proceed as follows:

1 With scanning disabled ( ) icon not displayed), press the Scan List option button or

2 The currently selected list is displayed as “List x”, where “x” is the currently selected

3 To select another list, press the Up/Down buttons. When the desired list is displayed,

4.11.5.1.3 Editing a Priority Scan List

If the Scan Edit option button or menu parameter is programmed, conventional, SmartNet/
SmartZone, and P25 Trunked priority (standard) scan lists can be user programmed.
Changes are permanent (cycling power does not reselect a default condition). Proceed as
follows:

select the Scan Selct menu parameter.

list. To exit without changing the selected list, press the Scan List option button again
or the (Clear) button.

press (Menu) to select it and (Clear) to exit this mode.

1 Make sure that both priority and radio wide scanning are off ( and icons not

displayed). Select a conventional or SmartNet/SmartZone/P25 Trunked channel
corresponding to the scan list being programmed.

2 Select the scan edit mode using the Scan Edit option button or menu parameter. This

mode is indicated by in the display.

3 If applicable, select the list to be edited by pressing the Up/Down buttons. Select the

desired list by pressing the (Menu) button. The selected list is indicated as “List x”.
If user programming is disabled on a list, (conventional only) “No Edit” is momentarily
displayed and it cannot be edited.

4 Select the channel you want to add or delete by pressing the Left or Right buttons. After

the last channel in the current zone is displayed, the first valid channel in the next zone
is displayed and vice versa. Lists are limited to 256. If an attempt is made to add more
than that, “List Full” is displayed and a channel must be deleted before another can be
added.

Note Priority channels can be deleted.

5 If the selected channel is in the scan list (scanned), the icon is displayed. To change

the status of the displayed channel, press the Left or Right button. Then, press
(Menu) to save the changes to the scan list

With conventional channels only, if the selected scan list is programmed with fixed
priority channel(s), the next press of the Right button makes the current channel the
priority channel indicated by . If dual priority channels are used, pressing the Right
button again makes it the second priority channel indicated by . Then pressing the

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Radio-wide Features

Right button again takes the channel out of the scan list. Refer to Sections 5.10.3 and

6.10.1 for more information on priority channel sampling.

6 To exit this mode and save the changes, press the (Menu) button.

4.11.5.2 Radio Wide Scan Lists

With radio wide scanning, up to 255 scan lists can be programmed. This list is user
programmable, and can contain up to 255 channels of any type. More information on
selecting and editing radio wide scan lists follows.

Each scan list can be selected as User Editable. With this option selected, the user can edit
the active scan list only from their radio. The user can also select which scan list is active
through a programmed function button or menu function selection. This active scan list is
retained through power down.

4.11.5.2.1 Determining Channels

The channels in radio wide scan lists are
(see “Editing Radio Wide Scan List” which follows). When the displayed channel is in the
radio wide scan list (scanned normally), the icon is displayed.

4.11.5.2.2 Editing a Radio Wide Scan List

If the RWS Edit option button or menu parameter is programmed, the radio wide scan list
can be edited. Changes are permanent (cycling power does not reselect a default
condition). Proceed as follows:

1 Make sure that both priority and radio wide scanning are off ( or not displayed).

Select the scan edit mode using the RWS Edit option button or menu parameter. This
mode is indicated by the (Radio Wide Scan) and (Edit) icons in the display.

2 Select the channel you want to add or delete by pressing the Left/Right buttons. After

the last channel in the current zone is displayed, the first valid channel in the next zone
is displayed and vice versa. The list is limited to 255 channels. If an attempt is made to
add more than 255, “List Full” is displayed and a channel must be deleted before
another can be added.

3 If the selected channel is in the scan list (scanned), the icon is displayed. To change

the status of the displayed channel, press the Left or Right button.

in Radio Wide Scan List

determined by selecting the scan list edit mode

4 To exit this mode and save the changes, press the (Menu) button.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 4-15

Radio-wide Features

4.12 Global Positioning System (GPS)

If this feature is enabled, GPS data can be received from satellites when a GPS receiver is
attached to the side port of the radio. This can include accessories such as the Discover™
GPS Speaker Microphone, if the side port is so configured (see the microphone’s user
manual for operational details). GPS data can be viewed using P25 Trunked,
Conventional, and SmartNet/SmartZone Systems. The radio can send the data as P25 data
on properly configured digital conventional systems.

4.12.1 Viewing GPS Data

To use the GPS feature (on a properly configured radio):
1 Connect the cable from the GPS receiver to the Accessory Connector on the side of the

radio.

2 Wait until the GPS receiver acquires enough satellites to obtain a valid position fix.

This will be indicated by the appearance of the satellite icon on the display.

Note It may take up to 10 minutes, depending upon signal conditions, for the GPS receiver to

obtain a position fix. Failure of the icon to appear indicates that the receiver was unable
to obtain a fix.

3 When the satellite icon appears, press the assigned GPS button (or select GPS from the

menu). “GPS” will display briefly, and will be followed by one of the GPS data items:

o

- Latitude (e.g., 40

- Longitude (e.g., 90

- Altitude in meters (e.g., 390.2)

- Speed (e.g., 55.5 MPH)

- Bearing (e.g., 183.4°)

- Time (e.g., 14:23:15)

- Date (e.g., 2011/11/26)

- Number of satellites that the receiver is currently receiving

4 You can cycle through the data items using the “Up” and “Down” buttons. If data is not

available for an item, the display shows “NA”.

55.32’N)

o

23.41’W)

Note The GPS viewing mode remains active for 60 seconds after the last user input.

5 To exit GPS viewing, press the assigned GPS button or press the (Clear) button.

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Radio-wide Features

4.12.2 Sending GPS Data

If the radio is setup for operation with a GPS receiver, GPS data can be sent to a properly
configured repeater (digital conventional only).

GPS data can be sent manually, automatically, or on system request, depending upon the
options enabled.

4.12.2.1 Manually Sending GPS Data

If so configured, the radio will send GPS data (to a properly configured repeater) when the
assigned GPS button is pressed and held.

4.12.2.2 Automatically Sending GPS Data

If the radio’s GPS “Auto Transmit” option is enabled, the radio will automatically send
GPS data at predetermined intervals.

4.12.2.3 Sending GPS Data in Response to System Request

If so configured, the radio accepts P25 data requests for GPS data, and responds (over the
air) with the current GPS data.

4.13 Radio Service

If the radio is not responding to any button/key presses, the keypad may be locked. Refer
to Section 3.6, "Keypad Lock" for more information.

If “Unprogrammed” is displayed, the cause could be any of the fo llowing:

• An unprogrammed channel is selected. Select a programmed channel.

• The selected channel is programmed for an option that is not installed or an error in
programming was detected. Reprogram the radio.

If no characters appear in the display, the battery may be discharged or defective. Try
another battery. If some other problem is occurring, turn power off and then on again to
reset the control logic. Also make sure that the controls are properly set. If it still does not
operate correctly, return it for service.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 4-17

Radio-wide Features

Note There are no user-serviceable components in the radio. Altering internal adjustments can

cause illegal emissions, void the warranty, and result in improper operation that can
seriously damage the radio.

4.14 RSSI

Receive Signal Strength (RSSI) values for the Viking radio are different than for
EFJohnson’s ES Series radio. Changes were made to the RSSI algorithm for the Viking
radio. The new algorithm provides an extended range (40 dBm) and a more linear curve.
The table below shows the VP600 RSSI curve.

Figure 4.2 VP600 RSSI Curve

4.15 Fire Ground Mode

The Fire Ground Mode allows any radio optioned for Fire Ground Commander Mode to
operate in Fire Commander Mode, and any subscriber optioned for Fire Ground First
Responder mode to run in Fire Responder Mode. A radio can be programmed for both
modes; however, the radio can only operate in one of the modes at a time. The user must
exit the current mode to enter the opposite mode. Fire Ground First Responder is available

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Radio-wide Features

on P25 Trunking and SmartNet/SmartZone channels. The Fire Commander Mode is
limited to the Conventional System. If the Fire Ground Channel is not a Conventional
channel and the user tries to enter Commander Mode on that channel, the radio will bad
beep. The only Fire Mode feature currently offered on the P25Trunking and Smartnet/
Smartzone protocols is the Lock Keypad/Volume option.

The intended set up is to have one radio running in Fire Commander Mode, and remain
outside the emergency site. The remaining radios operating at, and inside, the emergency
site should operate in Fire Responder Mode. The Fire Commander can issue Evacuation
Alerts to notify the First Responders they must evacuate. The Fire First Responders can
perform a Communication Check to determine their signal strength to ensure they are in
range of the Fire Commander.

Each radio can be programmed for up to four Fire Commander buttons (Fire Commander
1 through Fire Commander 4), and up to four Fire First Responder buttons (Fire
Responder 1 through Fire Responder 4). Each Fire Mode can be selectively programmed
for specific Fire Commander and Fire Responder options. Each Fire Mode can also be
programmed to operate on a designated channel or the current selected channel. If a
designated channel is chosen, the radio will automatically switch to the designated
channel when that Fire Mode is entered.

There are times when P25 digital voice is better than analog voice. Under these
circumstances it is best to operate in the P25 digital voice mode. If programmed, the radio
will change its transmit mode, based on signal strength, from analog to P25 Digital. If the
radio receives carrier with a RSSI below the Fair RSSI threshold, the radio will
automatically switch its transmit type from analog to P25 Digital. This will be evident as
the received audio should sound suddenly clear without background static as heard on an
analog channel.

Locked Radio Option - The user can choose to have different radio controls locked while
in Fire Mode and is set by programming. If this option is enabled, the radio will lock the
front and side buttons. Additionally, the radio can be programmed to lock the Channel
Selector, Volume Knob, Front Only Keypad, and Toggle switch. No matter the keypad
lockout options programmed, in Fire Mode the subscriber will always allow the buttons
for Emergency, Comm Check, Evac Alert, and the button programmed to initiate Fire
Mode, as it will be used to cancel Fire Mode. The radio will not power down while in Fire
Mode. Fire Mode must manually be exited for power down to occur.

Out of Range - When programmed, the Fire Commander will send out a beacon at the
programmed beacon time interval. If the Fire Responder does not receive a carrier event,
with an RSSI above the OOR threshold, within its programmed OOR Inactivity Duration
time, it will go OOR to notify the user they are no longer in receiving range of the Fire
Commander radio.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 4-19

Radio-wide Features

An Out of Range Beacon can be programmed for the Fire Commander in five second
intervals from 5 – 80 seconds. When programmed, the Fire Commander will send out a
beacon at the programmed interval. An Out of Range Indicator can be programmed for the
First Responder in five second intervals from 7 - 82 seconds. When programmed, if the
First Responder fails to receive a beacon from the Commander for the programmed
duration, the First Responder will emit an OOR tone and display “Out of Range” on the
display until a carrier event with an RSSI level above the OOR RSSI threshold is received.

Note The slight offset between timers is necessary to avoid the radio momentarily going out of

range and then back in range.

Communications Check can be programmed to any radio, but is intended for, and only
works with Fire Mode radios. Only radios that are optioned for Fire Ground First
Responder, and currently in Fire Responder mode, can issue a “Comm Check.” When
pressed, the responder will sound one of several tones to indicate the RSSI range the
Responder radio is currently in. This feature will only work on digital channels and can
only be programmed as a function button.

When the “Comm Check” button is pressed on a Responder radio, the Responder requests
the current RSSI level from the Commander radio. If in range, the Commander radio will
respond with the RSSI level. If the RSSI level is Excellent or Good, the Responder will
sound a Talk Permit Tone. If the RSSI level is Fair, the Responder radio will sound two
beeps. If the RSSI level is Poor or OOR, the Responder radio will sound four beeps.
Please refer to the Conventional RSSI Guide for a list of RSSI thresholds to use when
programming this feature.

This feature makes use of the P25 Signaling Retry Attempts and Retry Response Timer
settings defined for the radio. If the Comm Check retries to completion and the Responder
Out of Range Indicator feature is enabled, the radio will go Out of Range. If not enabled it
will display No Ack for two seconds.

Comm Check works in either simplex mode or through a repeater configured for data
repeat mode, both of which require a Responder and Commander radio. Currently the
EFJohnson infrastructure does not support the process of Comm Checks so a Commander
radio is required.

Evacuation Alert can be programmed to any radio, but is intended for, and only works
with Fire Mode radios. The Evac Alert is sent by the Fire Commander radio and received
by the Fire First Responder. The Fire First Responder radio will warn the user with an
Evac Alert tone and message to notify the user to evacuate. This feature will only work on
digital channels and can only be programmed as a function button.

Any radio can program an Evac Alert button; however, only subscribers that are optioned
for Fire Ground Commander, and currently in Fire Commander Mode, can issue an Evac
Alert. A press and hold is required for activation. If an Evacuation Alert message is
received by the Fire Responder radio, the subscriber will flash “Evac Alert” on the display
and sound the Evacuation Alert tone.

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Radio-wide Features

Any button press will silence the Evac Alert tone but only a PTT press will cancel the
Evac Alert display message and exit the Evac Alert state. A Fire Responder subscriber
will only process one Evac Alert message every 60 seconds to avoid multiple Evac Alert
tones sounding. This feature makes use of the P25 Signaling Retry Attempts and Retry
Response Timer settings defined for the radio.

Evac Alert works in either simplex mode or through a repeater configured for data repeat
mode, both of which require a Responder and Commander radio. Currently the EFJohnson
infrastructure does not support the sending of Evac Alert messages so a Commander radio
is required.

The Audible RSSI can be programmed to provide the Fire First Responder an audible
indication when the RSSI drops below certain thresholds indicating a poor coverage area.
When enabled, the First Resp on der radio wi ll measure RS SI at the beginning of a call and
may provide tone notifications after the call is over. The following provides the tones
heard in each RSSI range.

Table 4.3 RSSI Tones (Fire Ground Mode)

RSSI Level RSSI Indicator Bars Tone Heard

Above Good 3 or 4 bars No tone
Above Fair, Below Good 2 bars 2 beeps
Above OOR, Below Fair 1 bar 4 beeps
Below OOR “X” 4 beeps

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 4-21

Radio-wide Features

4-22 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

S ECTION

Section 5Conventional Mode Features

An overview of the conventional operating mode is located in Section 3.11.1. The
following information describes the features unique to analog and digital (Project 25)
conventional operation.

5.1 Monitoring Before Transmitting

With conventional operation, you may need to manually monitor the channel before
transmitting to make sure that it is not being used by someone else. If you transmit while
someone else is using the channel, you will disrupt their conversation. With SmartNet/
SmartZone and P25 Trunked operation, monitoring is performed automatically. You can
monitor conventional channels automatically or manually.

5.1.1 Automatic Channel Monitoring

If the selected channel is programmed for Busy Channel Lockout (also called Transmit
Disable On Busy), monitoring is automatic. Refer to Section 5.3, "Busy Channel Lockout"
for more information on this feature.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 5-1

Conventional Mode Features

5.1.2 Manual Channel Monitoring

The automatic monitoring may occasionally disable the transmitter when the channel is
not in use, such as if the repeater has extended hang time. In this case, you may not want to
use automatic monitoring, but monitor the channel manually as follows:

Busy Indicator - With scanning disabled, note if the multi-function indicator on the
front panel is steady green. If it is steady green, a carrier is being detected, so the
channel may be busy (see Monitor Mode, following). If it is not, the channel is not
being used and a call can be transmitted.

Monitor Mode - There may be times when a busy condition is indicated even though
no one is using the channel. Monitoring should then be performed by disabling Call
Guard squelch (or talkgroup ID detect on Project 25 channels). This is usually done by
selecting the Monitor Mode (see following) or by the Normal/Selective option button or
menu parameter (see Section 5.4.6, "Selective Squelch Code Select (CTCSS / DCS /
NAC)").

5.2 Monitor Mode

The monitor mode unsquelches the receiver and monitors the channel even if a carrier is
not detected. Other features of this mode are as follows:

• Call Guard (CTCSS/DCS) squelch is disabled on analog channels and NAC and
talkgroup ID detect are disabled on P25 (conventional) channels.

• Signaling-dependent Busy Channel Lockout options for Tone/NAC and P25 status are
overridden (see next section). (Noise option is not overridden: Monitor mode disables
the protocol-signaling events that the Busy Channel Lockout option Tone/NAC/Status
depend on, but not carrier events.)

• Scanning temporarily halts.

The Monitor Mode operates as follows:
1 To monitor the transmit frequency for activity before transmitting, briefly press the

Monitor option button or select the Monitor menu “Tx Channel” parameter. The
icon is then displayed to indicate the monitor mode. The receiver unsquelches and noise
is heard even if carrier not present.

2 To monitor the receive frequency instead, press and hold the Monitor option button

until a tone sounds (based on programming). This can be used, for example, to improve
reception if intermittent squelching is making a weak message difficult to understand.

3 To disable the monitor mode and return to normal operation, press the Monitor option

button again or select the Monitor menu “Off” parameter.

5-2 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

The Normal/Selective function disables Call Guard squelch and P25 group ID detect but
not scanning and P25 NAC detect (see Section 5.4.6, "Selective Squelch Code Select
(CTCSS / DCS / NAC)").

5.3 Busy Channel Lockout

The Busy Channel Lockout feature (also called Transmit Disable on Busy) automatically
disables the transmitter if the channel is busy when the PTT switch is pressed. When the
transmitter is disabled by this feature, “Busy” is displayed, a busy tone sounds, and the
transmitter is disabled.

If Busy Channel Override is permitted by programming, it is possible to transmit even
when the transmitter is disabled by this feature. Release the PTT switch and then quickly
press it again (within one second).

Conventional Mode Features

5.4 Call Guard Squelch

Tone or digital Call Guard squelch (also called CTCSS/DCS signaling) can be
programmed on each conventional analog transmit and receive channel in any order
desired. The reverse burst and turn-off code are always transmitted and also detected on
channels programmed with Call Guard squelch.

The Call Guard squelch feature eliminates distracting messages intended for others using
the channel. This is done by using a subaudible tone or digital code to control the squelch.
This tone or code is unique to a user or a group on that channel. This to ne or code is
transmitted with the voice signal but is not heard because it is in the subaudible range and
is attenuated by a filter. Call Guard squelch must be used in both the transmitting and
receiving radio to be functional.

5.4.1 Call Guard Squelch Enable / Disable

The Normal/Selective option button (if programmed) or menu parameter can be used to
disable receive Call Guard squelch on analog channels or talkgroup ID code detection on
P25 channels. When selective squelch is disabled, “Squ Normal” is flashed in the display,
and when it is enabled, “Squ Selectiv” is flashed.

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 5-3

Conventional Mode Features

When “Normal” is selected, the receiver unsquelches only if a carrier is detected.
Scanning and Project 25 NAC detection are not disabled with this mode selected. The
selected mode is in effect until it is manually changed again. Selecting another channel or
cycling power does not reselect a default condition. There is a programmable option to
display the monitor icon when the “Normal” mode is selected.

5.4.2 Tone Call Guard Squelch

Tone-type Call Guard squelch uses subaudible CTCSS tones from 67-254.1 Hz. Although
there are 42 tones assigned, those above 33 (210.7 Hz) are normally not used because of
their close proximity to the voice band which starts at 300 Hz. In addition, tones 11 (97.4
Hz), 39 (69.3 Hz), 40 (206.5 Hz), 41 229.1 Hz), and 42 (254.1 Hz) are normally not used
because they may cause interference with adjacent tones.

A reverse burst is transmitted when the push-to-talk switch is released and also detected
when calls are received. It is a 180-degree phase reversal for a period of time determined
by the tone frequency, and it eliminates the squelch tail (noise burst) in the receiving radio.
Both the transmitting and receiving radio must be equipped with this feature for it to be
used. The radio can be programmed to turn OFF the reverse burst feature so that the
squelch tail is not eliminated.

If the user would like to hear the squelch tail, then the reverse burst transmission can be
disabled by programming.

5.4.3 Digital Call Guard Squelch

Digitally Coded Squelch (DCS) uses digital data instead of subaudible tones to control the
squelch. When the push-to-talk switch is released, a turn-off code is transmitted which
eliminates the squelch tail similar to the reverse burst.

5.4.4 Call Guard Disable

A programmed option lets the radio disregard any CTCSS/DCS or NAC/Talkgroup
information on the current channel. This feature is best described as a monitor mode with
no white noise. In analog it is functionally the same as turning the squelch mode to
“normal.” In digital mode it is analogous to checking the “digital squelch” box when
programming the radio. The function can be programmed to any butto n or the ABC togg le
switch, and the menu. The mode will stay active through channel changes (between
conventional channels) and during scan. While the feature is active the monitor icon will
be displayed.

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Conventional Mode Features

5.4.5 Conventional Squelch Adjust

Squelch settings on a conventional analog channel can be changed by the user from -7 to
+7. A menu item or function button can be programmed for squelch adjust. While on a
conventional analog channel without emergency or scan active, the user can select the
programmed button or menu item for squelch adjust. The current squelch setting will
show on the display.

Using the up and down buttons on the portable, the user can adjust the squelch setting to a
desired level from -7 to +7. Increasing the value towards +7 causes the squelch to open
sooner for weaker signals while decreasing towards -7 has the opposite effects. Pressing
the select button will store the new squelch setting and return the user to the main display.

5.4.6 Selective Squelch Code Select (CTCSS / DCS / NAC)

This feature allows the normal transmit and receive Call Guard (CTCSS/DCS/NAC)
programming to be temporarily overridden with a code selected from a pre programmed
list. It is available if the Squelch Select List option button or menu parameter and a
CTCSS/NAC code list have been programmed.

Note Call Guard codes can be permanently reprogra mmed by keypad programming described

in Section 5.14, "Keypad Programming".

In addition, conventional systems can be programmed for the Keypad CTCSS/DSC
feature. Codes can then be selected directly from the table by pressing the key for the
code. For example, to select code 3 from the table, press the “3” key. No other
conventional mode functions can then be assigned to these keys.

The CTCSS/DCS/NAC list is programmed with up to 255 tone (CTCSS) or digital (DCS)
Call Guard codes. Different codes can be programmed for the transmit and receive modes,
and carrier squelch (selective squelch disabled) can be programmed if desired. In addition,
each position can be programmed with a NAC code for use with P25 operation.

When the Call Guard code is changed using this feature, it remains selected even if other
channels are selected. However, if radio power is cycled or a talk-around channel is
selected, the normal codes are reselected. When scanning, the selected code also applies to
all scanned channels. Each channel can also be programmed to always ignore the code
selected from this list and use the default code instead.

If both analog and digital (Project 25) channels can be selected or scanned, the CTCSS/
DCS code for the selected position is used for analog channels and the NAC code for the
selected position is used for P25 channels. If a channel is programmed for mixed mode
operation, the selective squelch type (analog or digital) programmed for the transmit mode
determines the selective squelch type used.

Proceed as follows to select a code using the Squelch Select List option button or menu
parameter:

Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual 5-5

Conventional Mode Features

1 Press the Squelch Select List option button or select the Sqlch Code menu mode

parameter. Then press the Up/Down buttons to select the desired code. The display
indicates “SQxx” where, “xx” is the selected code from 1-255. The code number and
actual code are alternately displayed (NACs are displayed in hexadecimal).

2 To select the displayed code and return to the normal display, press the (Menu)

button.

3 To check which code is selected, press the Squelch Select List button once to display

the current selection and then again to return to normal operation.

4 To return to the normal selective squelch codes, select “Default” in this mode. As

previously described, the normal codes are also automatically reselected whenever
radio power is cycled or a talk-around channel is selected.

5.5 Penalty Timer

A penalty timer may be programmed on conventional systems to prevent transmissions for
the programmed time after the time-out timer disables the transmitter (see Section 4.6,
"Time-Out Timer"). The penalty timer can be programmed for the same times as the time­out timer, and timing starts when the PTT switch is released. If the PTT switch is pressed
while the timer is running the timer stops, and continues when the PTT switch is released.
When the penalty timer expires, a beep sounds and the transmitter can then be keyed.

5.6 Conversation Timer

A conversation timer can be programmed on conventional systems in addition to the time­out timer (see Section 4.6, "Time-Out Timer"). This timer limits the total length of a
conversation rather than just the length of each transmission as with the time-out timer.
The following is more information on this timer.

• It can be programmed for times up to 7.5 minutes.

• It is reset when the time between transmissions exceeds the time programmed for the
penalty timer.

• A warning beep sounds five seconds before this timer disables the transmitter.

• When this timer disables the transmitter, a continuous tone sounds and the red transmit
indicator turns off. The PTT switch must then be released until the penalty timer expires
(indicated by a beep).

5-6 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

5.7 Repeater Talkaround

Normally, all transmissions go through a repeater which usually increases range.
However, there may be times when a user is out of range of the repeater and therefore
unable to talk to anyone even though the user being called is only a short distance away.
To allow communication in this situation, repeater talk-around can be selected.
Transmissions then occur on the receive frequency which permits direct radio-to-radio
communication.

Repeater talkaround can be selected if the TA option button or “Talk Arnd” menu
parameter is programmed. When talk-around is enabled by this button, is displayed.
This feature remains enabled during scanning, and changing channels or turning power off
does not change the selected condition. Talkaround is available on conventional channels
only.

A function button can be programmed to the “Repeater Talkaround” function. With a
button programmed as “Repeater Talkaround”, the user can press this button while on any
conventional frequency, shifting the radio from operation through a repeater, to simplex
operation on the repeater transmit frequency.

Conventional Mode Features

With a “Repeater Talkaround” button enabled, there is no restriction as to which channels
the user can transmit (in simplex mode) on the repeater transmit frequency. A user can
switch to talkaround mode on a busy dispatch channel, and his transmissions could
prevent nearby users from hearing the repeater transmissions.

5.8 Displaying Transmit / Receive Frequency

If the Displayed Information option button or menu parameter is programmed (see Section

4.2, "Option Keys / Buttons"), it can be used to display the channel frequency in
megahertz. Pressing this button toggles between displaying the standard channel alias and
the channel frequency. The receive frequency is displayed when receiving and the
transmit frequency is displayed when transmitting. This feature is available on
conventional channels only.

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Conventional Mode Features

5.9 Emergency Alarm and Call

Emergency Alarms and Calls are separate functions that can be individually enabled or
disabled on each analog and P25 conventional system. The Emergency option button or
menu parameter is required for these functions. Emergency Alarms and Calls are
transmitted on the global (radio wide) emergency zone/channel if one is programmed. If it
is not programmed, the emergency is transmitted on the selected channel. The emergency
programming of the system to which that channel is linked controls the emergency
operation. Up to 255 Emergency Lists may be programmed. A specific list may be
selected for each channel.

5.9.1 Emergency Alarms

An emergency alarm is a special transmission that alerts a dispatcher of an emergency
situation. It is sent automatically by pressing the Emergency option butt on or selecting the
Emergency menu parameter. The system to which the emergency channel is linked must
have Emergency Alarms enabled.

In the P25 conventional mode, a special P25 emergency data transmission is sent, and in
the conventional analog mode, an analog signalling packet is sent (both are programmed).
Refer to Section 5.12.3, "MDC1200 Compatibility" for information on MDC1200
Emergency Alert.

For an Emergency Alarm:

• The DTMF Emergency ID is sent.

• The MDC ID is sent with the emergency bit set.

• The Five Tone ID is sent with the fifth tone being status type emergency.

• GE Star ANI is sent.

• Two Tone Encoder is sent.

• No special action is done with the single tone.

Proceed as follows to send an emergency alarm:
1 If required, select a channel of a system on which Emergency Alarms are enabled and

then press the Emergency option button or select that menu parameter. The radio then
automatically transmits the emergency alarm.

2 Either Normal or Silent operation can be programmed. With Normal operation, the red

LED lights, the emergency tone sounds, and “EMERGENCY” flashes in the display.
“EMERGENCY” continues to flash until the alarm ends. If “Silent” is programmed,
none of these indications occur. If “No Receive Activity During Emergency” is
programmed, receive audio, the front panel LED, and receive icons are disabled in the
receive mode.

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3 When the emergency alarm is acknowledged by the dispatcher, “Ack Rcvd” is briefly

displayed and the emergency acknowledge tone (two beeps) sounds. This alert tone can
be disabled if desired, and does not occur if Silent operation is programmed.

Retries will occur automatically for conventional analog and MDC. No emergency
acknowledgement is expected from the system. Retries will continue until a
programmed count of retries is reached.

4 The emergency alarm mode is exited when radio power is cycled or by pressing and

holding the Emergency option button.

5.9.2 Emergency Call Alert

This feature notifies a user when an emergency call is being made on their selected P25
Conventional Talkgroup.

If an emergency call is received by the radio on the selected channel, the emergency alarm
ACK tone will sound (five consecutive tones), and the “Emerg Rcvd” message will
display, followed by the unit ID of the emergency radio. If any other emergency calls are
made after this initial one using a different radio, the tone will not sound, but the unit ID
will be updated to reflect the most recent emergency call. To exit this state, press the
button programmed for “Emergency Clear”. The radio should return to its normal display,
and the Emergency Received message should no longer show.

5.9.3 Emergency Calls

The Emergency Call feature allows a user to place an emergency voice call by pressing the
PTT switch after pressing the Emergency option button or selecting the Emergency menu
parameter. If the Emergency Hot Mic feature is enabled, the emergency call is
automatically transmitted without having to press the PTT switch (see following
description). The system to which the emergency channel is linked must have Emergency
Calls enabled. Analog and Digital (P25) calls can be individually enabled.

If the emergency call is sent on a P25 channel, an emergency indication is sent. If it is sent
on an analog channel, the DTMF Emergency ID is sent in place of the ANI DTMF PTT ID
if applicable.

Note The DTMF Emergency ID is sent only if pre- or post- DTMF ANI is enabled on the

channel by programming.

MDC, Five Tone Signaling, Single Tone Signaling, Two Tone Encoding or GE Star are
sent for Analog Emergency Calls, depending on programming.

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Conventional Mode Features

5.9.3.1 Emergency Hot Mic

If Emergency Hot Mic has been enabled for emergency calls, automatic transmitting
occurs with microphone audio unmuted without having to manually press the PTT switch.
The automatic transmit period is programmed for 10-120 seconds in 10-second steps. If
this feature or emergency calls are not enabled by programming, automatic transmitting
does not occur. This feature is initiated only on the first press of the Emergency button.
Subsequent presses do not trigger automatic transmissions. To reset this function, cycle
power or press and hold the Emergency button.

5.9.3.2 Placing an Emergency Call

1 If required, select a channel of a system on which Emergency Calls are enabled and

press the Emergency option button or select that menu parameter. The Emergency Call
is then sent as described in Section 5.9.1, "Emergency Alarms" if applicable.

2 If the preceding Emergency Hot Mic feature is enabled, the call is automatically

transmitted without pressing the PTT switch. If it is disabled, press the PTT switch and
begin speaking as with a standard call. If the channel is changed, operation continues on
the new channel in the emergency mode.

3 With analog calls, subsequent presses of the PTT switch cause the DTMF emergency

ID to be sent according to the ANI programming (if DTMF ANI is enabled on the
channel). With digital calls, the calls continue to have the emergency bit set.

4 If the Surveillance Mode is enabled (see Section 4.10, "Surveillance Mode"), all

indicators, lights, and tones are disabled. If “No Receive Activity During Emergency”
is programmed, receive audio, the front panel LED, and receive icons are disabled in
the receive mode.

5 To exit this mode, cycle radio power or press and hold the Emergency button.

5.9.4 External Emergency Switch

Viking VP600 radio models support the External Emergency feature. A special man-down
switch (currently available only from third-party vendors) can be attached to the accessory
connector of the radio. If this feature is enabled by programming and the radio is in a
horizontal position for longer than the programmed time (0-63 seconds), an emergency
condition is triggered the same as if the Emergency button was pressed. The emergency
can be canceled by a press and release of the Emergency button.

Note Accessories, such as speaker-microphones, cannot be used with this feature.

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5.9.5 Emergency Talkgroup

A user may program an Emergency Talkgroup. If Emergency is activated, the radio uses
the Emergency Talkgroup instead of the programmed talkgroup. If programmed, the
Emergency Talkgroup has priority. Please refer to 5.13.7.1, “Talkgroup Lock” for more
information about this feature.

5.10 Conventional Mode Scanning

Channel scanning features common to all operating modes are described in Sections 4.11
and 4.11.5. The following information describes features unique to conventional
operation.

Conventional Mode Features

5.10.1 Selecting a Scan List

Conventional systems are programmed with a default scan list that is normally selected by
all channels in that system. However, there is a programmable option to slave a particular
conventional scan list to a zone. This then becomes the default list for all conventional
channels in that zone (it overrides the system programming). This slave feature is
programmed.

The default scan list (which is to be used by all conventional channels except those
belonging to slaved zones), can be temporarily changed by using the SCAN option switch
or menu parameters. A scan list selected in this manner is retained through radio power
down.

Currently if the user presses and holds the Scan button, the Scan List Select feature is
activated. This function may be disabled on a per-system basis by pro gramming.

5.10.2 Transmitting in Scan Mode

Each conventional scan list can be programmed for one of the following modes. These
modes determine if priority sampling occurs and also the channel on which transmissions
occur while scanning. Refer to the next section for more information on priority sampling.

No Priority - No priority channel sampling occurs when the list is selected. The radio
transmits on the selected channel.

Priority on Selected - Priority sampling occurs and the priority channel is programmed
in the selected scan list. The radio transmits on the selected channel if selected group is

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Conventional Mode Features

chosen as the talk back type. The radio transmits on the received channel if active group
is chosen as the talk back type.

Priority on Programmed - Priority sampling occurs and the priority channel or
channels are those programmed in the selected scan list. The radio transmits on the
selected channel if selected group is chosen as the talkback type. The radio transmits on
the received channel if active group is chosen as the talkback type.

Talkgroup - Monitors a single digital conventional channel. When a call is received,
the radio searches the scan list for a talkgroup that matches the received talkgroup.
Returns calls on the selected talkgroup if selected group is chosen as talkback type and
returns calls on the received talkgroup if active group is chosen as talkback type.

Vote Scan - Analog - Scan based on received signal strength (analog channels).
Vote Scan - Digital - Scan based on received signal strength (digital channels).

5.10.3 Priority Channel Sampling

The following describes priority sampling when scanning conventional channels.

Note Priority sampling when scanning SmartNet/SmartZone/P25 Trunked channels is

described in Section 6.10.

The priority channel sampling feature ensures that when priority scanning, messages on
the priority channel are not missed while listening to a message on some other channel.
The radio can be programmed as just described so that the priority channel is a fixed
channel programmed in the current scan list, the currently selected channel, or not used.

Note Priority channel sampling is not available when receiving analog encrypted (DES) calls,

nor when receiving unit calls. In addition, the priority channel is not scanned if the active
channel is an analog channel on the same frequency as the priority channel and is
programmed with CTCSS/DCS squelch control.

Either a single or dual priority channels can be programmed if desired. With dual priority,
a call on the second priority channel is interrupted by a call on the first priority channel but
not vice versa. When scanning and the selected channel is a single or first priority channel,

is indicated in the display. This indication is displayed regardless of whether the
priority channel is fixed or always the selected channel. When it is a second priority
channel, is displayed.

The priority channel sampling frequency is determined by the programmed Priority
Lookback Time A (see description which follows). For example, if 2.0 seconds is
programmed, the priority channel is sampled every 2.0 seconds when listening to a
message on a non-priority channel. When not listening to a message, the priority channels
are scanned in the normal scan sequence. With dual priority, the first and second priority
channels are alternately sampled at the Lookback Time.

The priority sampling times are set by programming.

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Conventional Mode Features

5.10.3.1 Changing the Priority Channel

If a fixed priority channel is associated with the current scan list, it can be changed if the
Priority option button or menu parameter is programmed. With dual priority, this function
changes only the first priority channel. To change both priority channels, use the Scan List
Edit function described in Section 4.11.5.1, "Group / Priority Scan Lists".

Proceed as follows to change the priority channel using the Priority option button/menu
parameter:

1 Make sure scanning is disabled ( icon not displayed) and the desired scan list is

selected (see Section 4.11.5, "Scan Lists").

2 Select the channel you want to be the priority channel and then press the Priority option

button or select that menu parameter. “Priority” is then flashed to indicate that the
current channel is now the priority channel when scanning that list. Other indications
that may occur are as follows:

- If “No Priority” is displayed, priority sampling may not be enabled on the scan list.

- If “Sel Chan” is displayed, the priority channel is always the selected channel and
cannot be changed.

- If “No Edit” is displayed, the scan list is not be user editable. If no indication is
displayed, the channel may not be in the scan list.

5.11 Standard Conventional Calls

Standard conventional calls are placed to other radio units monitoring the selected
channel. The proper coded Call Guard squelch tone or code or P25 NAC may need to be
transmitted by your radio for them to receive a call (see Sections 5.4 and 5.13.3).

5.11.1 Placing a Standard Conventional Call

1 Turn power on and set the volume as described in Section 3.1. Select the channel

programmed for the radio you want to call as described in Section 3.3, "Zone and
Channel Select".

2 Monitor the channel automatically or manually as described in Section 5.1,

"Monitoring Before Transmitting".

3 Press the PTT switch and if the Busy Channel Lockout feature is programmed on the

channel (see Section 5.3, "Busy Channel Lockout"), the transmitter is automatically
disabled if the channel is busy. Otherwise, busy and out-of-range conditions are not
indicated.

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Conventional Mode Features

4 Press (and hold) the PTT switch to talk and release it to listen.

5.11.2 Receiving a Standard Conventional Call

1 Select or scan the channel programmed for the call you want to receive (refer to

Sections 4.11 and 4.11.5 for more scanning information).

2 When the call is received, press the PTT switch to talk and release it to listen. If

scanning, responses may occur on the selected or receive channel as described in
Section 5.10.2, "Transmitting in Scan Mode".

5.12 ANI Signaling Options

Five types of analog signaling are offered:

• Single Tone Encoding

• Five Tone Encoding

•DTMF

•MDC

•GE Star

• Two Tone Encoding

Three features use analog signaling:

• Pre and Post ANI

• Emergency Alarm

•RTT

5.12.1 DTMF / ANI Signaling

Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tones can be generated for Automatic Number
Identification (ANI) and other purposes on conventional analog channels. One of the
following options may be enabled on each channel:

Pre-Tx ANI - A pre programmed ANI sequence is automatically sent each time the
PTT switch is pressed.

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Conventional Mode Features

Post-Tx ANI - A pre programmed ANI sequence is automatically sent each time the
PTT switch is released.

When an emergency alarm or call is placed, this ANI signaling is replaced by the
Emergency DTMF ID (see Section 5.9). Refer to Section 5.12.3 for information on
MDC1200 ANI.

5.12.2 Single Tone Encoder

This feature allows the user to transmit a single tone by pressing the Single Tone Encoder
option button or selecting that menu parameter. Each conventional system can be
programmed for a tone of 500-2500 Hz in 1 Hz increments with a duration of 0.5-2.5
seconds in 0.1 second increments.

This feature can be activated with a button press or can be used for Pre and Post ANI,
Emergency Alarm, or RTT.

5.12.3 MDC1200 Compatibility

MDC1200 is a signaling protocol designed and implemented by Motorola for analog
channels only. The following features of this protocol are supported. Either MDC1200 or
standard DTMF ANI/Emergency signaling can be programmed on each conventional
system.

Note This feature is hardware dependent and therefore cannot be added to others by upgrading

firmware).

MDC1200 ANI - Both pre and post ANI are supported.

MDC1200 Decode - MDC1200 decode functionality is supported so that the radio can

handle the following MDC1200 features:

• Process the system acknowledgement of emergency transmissions – so that the user
knows that the emergency has been received

• PTT ID Decode - Display the ID / Alias of a calling radio on all other radios

• Selective Radio Inhibit – Allow the dispatcher to inhibit a radio

• Call Alert – Alerts the user to call the dispatcher

• Radio Check – Verify that the unit is within the operating area

MDC1200 Emergency Alarm - The radio continues trying its emergency transmission
until the emergency is acknowledged by the system.

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Conventional Mode Features

5.12.4 Five-Tone Signaling

A single transmission consists of five separate tones transmitted sequentially with an
optional inter-tone pause between tones. If Five-Tone is selected as the RTT type, then
Five-tone shall also be used as the signaling type for conventional analog emergencies.
The first four tones are used for unit identification and the fifth tone is used for status.

No two adjacent tones shall be the same frequency. When two identical digits follow each
other, the second shall be transmitted as the “Repeat” tone.

Five Tone signaling can also be used for Pre Post ANI and Emergency Alarm Signaling.
Fifth Tone Status values are:

Tone 1 – Normal Call
Tone 9 – Emergency Call
Tone 2 – Normal Secure Call
Tone 8 – Emergency Secure Call

5.12.5 GE Star

GE Star signaling is implemented for transmit functionality. Two programming modes are
available:

Standard format (normal ANI for pre- and post- ANI and RTT and emergency).
NYSP format (emergency)

5.12.6 Two Tone Encoding

The Two Tone Encoder operates the same as the Single Tone Encoder except that it sends
two tones back-to-back. A maximum of 255 tones can be programmed. Each tone will
send two tones, each of its own frequency and duration.

The user can activate Two Tone in several manners. The first is to program a button for
Two Tone and press it. This will give the user the option to choose the desired tone in the
list.

The second is to program Two Tone to the menu, select it from the menu, scroll to the
desired tone in the list, and press PTT or the (Menu) button on the portable. Pressing
PTT or the (Menu) button will send the tone and store it as the active Two Tone. The
Two Tone List is exited if the Menu Mode Timer expires, if the user presses the exit
button, (Clear), or if the us er presses the button programmed for Two Tone while in
the Two Tone List. Exiting the menu will not save the current Two Tone as the active Two
Tone.

5-16 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual

The third is pressing and holding a button programmed for Two Tone. This will send the
current, active Two Tone, which is defaulted to the first tone in the Two Tone list upon
profile download.

Two Tone can be activated by using Emergency Analog Sign aling, ANI Analog
Signaling, or RTT Analog Signaling. Direct activation (through button press or PTT/Menu
Button press in the Two Tone List) must be programmed. If not programmed and the user
tries to send a Two Tone Page directly, the subscriber will bad beep.

5.13 Project 25 Mode Features

The following features are unique to conventional P25 channels.

Conventional Mode Features

5.13.1 Digital Unit ID

Each radio that operates on Project 25 (digital) channels is programmed with an eight-digit
unit ID. This ID is unique for each radio and can be any number from 1-16,777,215. When
power is turned on with a Project 25 channel selected, this ID is briefly displayed.

5.13.2 Talkgroup ID

Each Project 25 channel is programmed with a talkgroup ID that determines which group
of radios will receive the call. A call is received on a channel if a selected or scanned
channel is programmed with that ID and the correct NAC is detected (see following).
Talkgroup IDs can be any number from 0-65,535. Talkgroup ID detect can be disabled by
the Normal/Selective squelch function described in Section 5.4.1 or the monitor mode
described in Section 5.2

5.13.3 Network Access Code

Project 25 conventional channels also use a NAC (Network Access Code) to control
which calls are received on a channel. The NAC can be 0-4095, and each transmit and
receive channel can be programmed for a different code. Other operation, such as
monitoring before transmitting, is similar to that of analog channels. NAC (and talkgroup
ID) detect can be disabled by the monitor mode described in Section 5.2.

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Conventional Mode Features

5.13.4 Out of Range (EFJohnson Conventional) Indication

In an EFJohnson P25 conventional infrastructure radio system, a predefined beacon can be
programmed for transmission from the system at preset intervals. If the radio remains idle
and does not receive the beacon or a voice call from the system within a specified time
period (as programmed) an “Out of Rng” indication is displayed to inform the radio user
of the condition. If the beacon is received, the timer is automatically restarted, and no out­of range condition is indicated. If an Out of Range condition exists, the user can still
transmit and receive, but the condition will not exit until the beacon is received.

Note This Out-of-Range indication applies only to EFJohnson P25 conventional infrastructure

systems.

If programmed, Out-of-Range (OOR) monitoring and indicators to the user are provided.
The out-of-Range function operates on conventional analog and digital channels that have
been programmed for the feature. This feature is supported only on EFJ Infrastructure.

Scanning Mode - the same as above
Unit and Interconnect Calls - OOR operates in the background. Tone indicators will

sound, but the OOR message is not displayed.
PTT Operation - Pressing the PTT does not reset the inactivity timer. If the timer

expires while the radio is transmitting, no indication will be provided to the user until
they release the PTT. When the PTT is released, the radio will flash “Out of Rng” and
beep, if applicable.

If the user is in a fringe area or is entering an area that is has poor coverage such as a
building and wishes to disable the tone, an Out-of-Range Indication Tone feature can be
programmed to the menu or to a button. In the menu, the feature is labeled “OORI Tone”.
The feature will allow the user to disable / enable the Out-of-Range Indication tone from
the radio. The Out of Range display messages will not be affected.

If the OORI tone is disabled in programming, pressing the OORI Tone button results in
“Disabled” on the display.

If the OORI Tone is active, pressing the OORI Tone button disables the tone and the
display will flash “OOR Tn Off” for one second.

If the OOR tone is not active, pressing the OOR Tone button enables the tone and the
display will flash “OOR Tn On” for one second.

Both the Entering OOR and Exiting OOR Tones will be disabled to avoid excess tones
from fringe areas where the radio is toggling in and out of coverage.

Tones are restored on power cycle.

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Conventional Mode Features

5.13.5 Automatic (EFJohnson Conventional) Registration

When used in an EFJohnson P25 conventional infrastructure radio system, an option on
the radio can be programmed to provide additional identifying information to the system
upon receipt of a dynamic data registration request. If the “EFJ Affiliation” option is
enabled, the radio will transmit its current talkgroup to the system in addition to its unit ID
during a dynamic data registration request. EF Johnson Technologies also supports
conventional standardized IP data context activation registration without the EFJ
affiliation checked.

The radio will attempt a data registration on channel change. If the radio does not receive
a registration response after the programmed number of retries it will display “Reg
Failed”. If the radio is out of range and then returns to within range of a site where it had
not yet registered, it will initiate another registration.

Note This Automatic registration applies only to EFJohnson P25 conventional infrastructure

systems.

5.13.6 P25 Group Calls

P25 group calls are placed by selecting the channel programmed for the desired group,
monitoring the channel if required, and transmitting.

The radio can be programmed so that the following are also displayed for 0.5 to 7.0
seconds or continuously during the call.

On Rx Options:

PTT ID- The unit
P25 Talkgroup - The alias of the talkgroup on which the call is being received is

displayed.
User Group ID - If the group ID of the call being received is included in a pre

programmed User Group ID list, the alias programmed in that list for that group is
displayed.

Received Key ID- The Key ID (or the alias, if programmed) of the key used to decode
the call is displayed.

On Tx Options:

ID of the radio placing the call is displayed.

P25 Talkgroup - The radio displays the number or alias of the talkgroup on which the
call is being transmitted.

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Conventional Mode Features

5.13.6.1 Changing a Channel Talkgroup

If the Digital Talk Group Select option button or Select TG menu parameter is
programmed, the talkgroup assigned to a channel can be changed by the user. The new
talkgroup continues to be assigned to the channel until it is manually changed again
(cycling radio power or selecting another channel does not reselect a default talkgroup).
Change the talkgroup assigned to a channel as follows:

1 Select the channel to be changed.
2 To select the talkgroup from the list of programmed talkgroups, briefly press the Talk

Group Select option button or select the Select TG → ID List menu parameter. Then
press the Up/Down buttons until the alias of the desired talkgroup is displayed. If
talkgroup selection has been disabled on the channel by programming, “NO LIST” is
displayed, a tone sounds, and no change occurs. Press the (Menu) button to select
the talkgroup and return to normal operation.

3 To enter a new talkgroup number from 1-65,535, press and hold the Talk Group Select

option button or select the Select TG → Enter ID menu parameter. Enter the desired
talkgroup directly using the keypad. If less than five digits are entered, press the
(Menu) button to select the talkgroup and return to normal operation. The talkgroup
entered using the keypad must be listed in the talkgroups list, otherwise the display will
flash "Invalid TG".

5.13.7 Talkgroup Scan

This feature allows users to scan for a list of talkgroups on a single P25 Conventional
frequency. When a call is received on the frequency, the radio searches the scan list for a
talkgroup that matches the received talkgroup, and opens audio if a match is found.

The Talkgroup Scan, with talkback type set to active group option (if programmed), will
return calls on the received talkgroup if the user talks back during scan hold time. The
Talkgroup Scan, with talkback type set to selected group option (if programmed), will
always return calls on the talkgroup from the selected channel.

The radio can be programmed to display the talkgroup being transmitted at the beginning
of a conventional digital call. After the display time has passed, the radio displays the
selected channel alias.

5.13.7.1 Talkgroup Lock

Often a user wishes to stay on one specific talkgroup when traveling from site to site. The
Talkgroup Lock feature allows users to store the current active talkgroup to memory and
the radio will use this talkgroup until the Talkgroup Lock feature has been disabled. The
feature can be enabled / disabled with a programmable button or menu item.

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Conventional Mode Features

1 The Talkgroup Lock Feature can be enabled / disabled from a programmable button or

menu. The radio must be on a P25 Conventional Channel or else the radio will bad
beep.

2 Feature Entry/Exit:

The Talkgroup Lock Feature can be enabled / disabled from a programmable function
button or from the menu.

- Pressing the function button or selecting the “Lock” option under the “TG Lock”
menu item will lock the talkgroup.

Ο If the radio is already locked, the bad beep tone will sound. If the radio is not

already locked the feature entry tone will sound and the radio will be locked to the
current talkgroup. In either case the radio will display “TG Locked” for 1 second
followed by the alias of the lock talkgroup (or the talkgroup number if no alias is
defined) for 1 second.

- Pressing and holding the function button or selecting the “Unlock” option under the
“TG Lock” menu item will unlock the talkgroup.

Ο If the radio is already unlocked, the bad beep tone will sound. If the radio is not

already unlocked the feature exit tone will sound and the radio will unlock and
return to the programmed talkgroup. In either case the radio will display “TG
Unlocked” for 1 second followed by the alias of the programmed talkgroup (or the
talkgroup number if no alias is defined) for 1 second.

- The menu will display “Lock” and “Unlock” options. The current state will be
marked with the indicator.

3 Talkgroup Select

If Talkgroup Lock is enabled, the Talkgroup Select feature will have the following new
functionality

- If a Talkgroup is entered via Direct Entry and the Talkgroup resides in the talkgroup
list of the radio profile, the radio will store the Talkgroup as the Lock Talkgroup and
will exit menu mode.

- If a Talkgroup is entered via Direct Entry and the Talkgroup does not reside in the
talkgroup list of the radio profile, the radio will display “Invalid TG” and bad beep.

Ο If the Talkgroup is selected from the list, the radio will store the Talkgroup as the

Lock Talkgroup and will exit menu mode.

Ο If Talkgroup Lock is enabled, no permanent changes will be made to the selected

Talkgroup, only the Lock Talkgroup will be affected.

Ο Talkgroup Lock will be retained through power down. Downloading a profile

through Armada will erase all Talkgroup Lock settings.

Talkgroup select feature exit will operate as follows

- The (Clear) button will cause the feature to exit without saving any talkgroup
changes.

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Conventional Mode Features

- The (Menu) button will cause the feature to exit after saving the new talkgroup.

4 Talkgroup Strapping

Talkgroup strapping will have priority over talkgroup lock. This means that a channel
with a strapped talkgroup will use its programmed talkgroup even if talkgroup lock is
turned on. Locking the talkgroup on a channel with a strapped talkgroup will set the
strapped talkgroup as the lock talkgroup.

5 Encryption

The radio will use the key that is assigned to the active TalkGroup unless the Override
Talkgroup Security Settings is active. In that case it will use the security parameters that
are defined in the security section on the Channels page.

6 Scan

If Talkgroup Lock is enabled, the radio will only use the Lock Talkgroup for the
selected channel. The rest of the channels will use the programmed Talkgroup. This is
necessary so that the radio will not only monitor a single TG for all scan channels.

7 Emergency

If emergency is declared while the talkgroup is locked, the radio will use the
Emergency Talkgroup first if it is defined. If no emergency Talkgroup is defined it will
use the Lock Talkgroup.

5.13.8 P25 Unit Calls

Unit Calls (also called Individual Calls) can be placed to a specific radio on a Project 25
channel if the Unit Call option button or menu parameter is programmed. Only the
individual ID of the target radio is sent (a talkgroup ID is not sent). The radios that can be
called are pre programmed in the Unit Call list.

To receive a Unit Call, the RF channel of the call must be selected or scanned and the
correct NAC and unit ID must be detected. The ID of the calling radio is then transmitted
back. To respond to the call, the radio must be programmed with the Unit ID option button
or menu parameter, and have a Unit Call programmed for the ID of the calling radio.

Place and receive a Unit Call as follows:
1 To transmit a Unit Call, press the Unit Call option button or select the Unit Call menu

parameter. The alias (tag) of the last Unit Call is displayed.

2 If required, press the Up/Down buttons to display the desired alias/ID. The alias and ID

of the calls that have been programmed are alternately displayed.

3 Press and release the PTT switch. The display indicates the Unit Call ID. If no answer,

the system times out after 20 seconds.

5-22 Viking™ VP600 Portable Radio Operating Manual