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LESSON PLAN
RF-6550M FALCON III RADIO
PROGRAMMING APPLICATION (RPA)
IR.01.04
M09AROC
09/17/2009
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Introduce Learning objectives. Open RPA Power Point
Presentation on visual screen.
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(ON SLIDE #5)
(2) With the aid of reference, and provided
equipment, appropriate software, and planning documents,
program a RPA per HARRIS Publication Number 10515-0325-4200
(Users Guide Falcon III Radio Programming Application).
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on a HPW LOS net loaded from an RPA program, per HARRIS
Publication Number 10515-0325-4200 (Users Guide Falcon III
Radio Programming Application).
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5. EVALUATION: Each student will be evaluated on how to
properly configure the PC & AN/PRC-117F for RPA Operations
by a Performance Evaluation (PE) test on training day 10.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Although there are no safety/cease training instructions for
this portion of the class, explain to the students the
procedures to follow in case of a fire alarm. Refer to the
Antennas, Cables, Power Cords, Appoint the Senior student
to take charge of the accountability and meeting location
incase of evacuation.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Throughout this class the students will follow along and
execute as you explain each function of the RPA. There are
Practical applications for them to execute as the class
progresses.
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a. Characteristics
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(e) Programming the AN/PRC-152 and AN/PRC-117G
Radios
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(ON SLIDE #22)
(2) Installation
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Figure 2-1. Falcon III RPA Installer Screen
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7 When Falcon III RPA installation is complete,
the Falcon III RPA icon will be visible on the PC desktop.
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Figure 2-2 Falcon III RPA Installer Screen
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(c) Select Remove.
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(1) Title Bar. The Title Bar displays the name of the
currently active Falcon III RPA plan, as shown in Figure 3-
2. The title bar text changes with the opening of different
programming files.
(2) Menu Bar. The available Falcon III RPA menu choices
are shown in Figure 3-3 and described in the following
paragraphs.
(3) The Falcon III RPA menu bar provides quick access
to these frequently used commands:
(4) File Menu. The Falcon III RPA File menu, shown in
Figure 3-4, provides standard file management functions.
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Figure 3-4. File Menu
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
The title bar changes to show the name of the opened file.
Refer to the Plan Info Tab
2 Stations Tab
3 Nets Tab
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
This will overwrite the old plan. If you want to keep the
old plan, use the File > Save As command and save the
edited file under a new name. All new files must be saved
with the file extension .rnp.
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(c) Sample Plans are provided with the Falcon III
Radio Programming Application (RPA) installation. These are
working plans that can be edited and used as a starting
point to create a new custom plan.
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Figure 3-5. Configure Falcon III RPA Password Dialog
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(ON SLIDE #29)
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(b) Options - Radio Types
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Sample Plans are provided with the Falcon III Radio
Programming Application (RPA) installation. These are
working plans that can be edited and used as a starting
point to create a new custom plan.
(1) PLAN INFO TAB. The Plan Info tab allows the user
to enter optional identification information for the
specific communications plan being created. It is not
necessary that all fields in the Plan Info tab are filled to
generate a valid plan. The Plan Info tab of the Falcon III
RPA dialog is shown in Figure 4-1. This dialog is displayed
when the Falcon III RPA is started.
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(e) These dates are for user information purposes
only, and do not limit usage of the communications plan
past the end date.
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to 20 uppercase, alphanumeric characters, and must be unique
for each station in the communications plan.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
The Station Name is used to differentiate the defined
stations and is shown on the radios front panel display
when viewing the station after programming.
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practical application is to program stations in the RPA.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
Have Students input the following Stations:
CREATE RE-NAME DESCRIPTION
RADIO001 RT01 (RT1)
RADIO002 RT02 (RT2)
RADIO003 RT03 (RT3)
RADIO004 RT04 (RT4)
RADIO005 RT05 (RT5)
RADIO006 RT06 (RT6)
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RADIO007 RT07 (RT7)
RADIO008 RT08 (RT8)
RADIO009 RT09 (RT9)
RADIO010 RT10 (RT9)
1 Radio Configuration
2 HPW Address
3 Interfaces
4 Situational Awareness
5 GPS
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
The Configure Station programming parameters are accessed by
highlighting a station name in the Defined Stations list box
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Figure 4-3 Station Configuration Settings
2 HPW Address-
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a When using High Performance Waveform (HPW)
with Wireless Message Terminal (WMT) software, a unique HPW
address is required for each station. The Falcon III RPA
automatically assigns the next available address number to a
station so that every station is different. No user
intervention is normally required; however the user has the
option to assign addresses manually if desired. To assign
HPW addresses, enter a number from 1 to 65534 for this
station. Make sure that the number is not used for any other
stations.
3 Interfaces Tab
Figure 4-5
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1. Select the Interfaces tab.
4. PPP Parameters
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
The IP Routing dialog is intended for advanced users
only. New routes may override the default routes. Routes
entered on the IP Routing dialog are not checked for
validity.
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Figure 4-6. Interfaces - IP Routing
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FIGURE 4-7 File Save
f. Creating a Net
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Figure 4-10 CREATING NET
(b) HAVEQUICK
(c) SINCGARS
(e) HPW
(f) STC
(g) DAMA
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(h) Maritime
(i) Beacon
(j) P25
(k) ANW 2
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Not all Net Types are available for all radio types. For
example, DAMA is only available for AN/PRC-117F radios.
(5) Assign a unique Net #(00 - 99) to the net. The Net
number is automatically incremented every time a new net is
added, however, you can manually assign a number if desired
(net numbers cannot be duplicated). The Net #will correspond
to the System Preset number that you select on the radios
front panel keypad using the PRE +/- buttons.
(8) The net list can also be sorted by Net #, Net Name
(alphabetically), or Type by clicking on the column heading.
The sorting feature does not change Net ID numbers.
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(10) Specify which stations are to be members of the
network you are defining by first highlighting the Net Name
in the list box, and then add stations to the net by
checking the box next to each station name.
g. NETWORK PROPERTIES
The Network Properties dialog box allows you to set up the
operating parameters for a selected radio net. Highlight Net
to assign properties to. Figure 4-11.
Figure 4-11
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Figure 4-12 NET PROPERTIES
(a) General
(b) COMSEC
(d) Squelch
(e) Advanced
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will revert the edited field to its previous value and not
apply the change.
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(6) Fixed Frequency Net Properties Fixed Frequency nets
are used for basic Line-Of-Sight (LOS) communications. There
are five configuration menu categories:
h. Fixed Frequency/LOS
(1) General
See Figure 4-12 and Refer to Help files 4-4. The General
category sets the basic net frequencies. In the General
Parameters section of the dialog, enter the appropriate
information as follows.
Table 4-1. Fixed Frequency/LOS General
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Figure 4-14 Fixed Net - General Dialog
(2) COMSEC
See Figure 4-14 and Refer to Help files 4-2. The COMSEC
category sets the encryption type for the net. The choices
for a Fixed/LOS net are as follows.
Table 4-2. Fixed Frequency/LOS - COMSEC
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(ON SLIDE #46)
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Figure 4-16 Fixed Net - Data/Voice Dialog
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Table 4-3. Fixed Frequency/LOS - Data/Voice (Continued)
m. NONE
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Table 4-3. Fixed Frequency/LOS - Data/Voice (Continued)
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(ON SLIDE #55) Activate / Deactivate Squelch FM
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Table 4-5. Fixed Frequency/LOS Squelch (Continued)
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Figure 4-17 Fixed Net - Squelch Dialog
(2) NOISE
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(ON SLIDE #61)
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Have students perform PRACTICAL APPLICATION outlined below.
q. Save File
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FIGURE 4-8 File save ICON
Thus far we have gone over how to Program the RPA/NDRI into
the computer and defining a Stations Now lets talk about our
plan report.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE:
This is the intro slide for the Generate Plan report
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FIGURE 5-1 Generate Plan Report
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Figure 5-1. Sample Radio Programming Plan Report (Partial
Shown)
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Have students perform PRACTICAL APPLICATION outlined below.
PROVIDE-HELP:
1. Safety Brief: Watch your step there are power cords
through out the room
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application. Provide assistance where needed and answer any
questions pertaining to this practical application.
____________________________________________________________
____
____________________________________________________________
____
s. DSS SIGNING.
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(3) DSS Key Generation In most cases, the mission plan
file transfer will use the default DSS signature keys that
are provided with Falcon III RPA. However, the Falcon III
RPA also provides the option to generate custom DSS key
pairs for mission file authentication. See Figure 5-2. To
generate a Public and Private DSS key pair:
(d) Enter a name for the key pair in the Key File
Base Name field. This will be the saved filename and include
the .pky and .sky file extensions for Public and Private
keys, respectively. The filename must be no more that eight
alphanumeric characters in length.
(h) To use the new custom key set, the Public Key
will need to be loaded to a crypto device (such as AN/CYZ-
10), and then from the crypto device, into the radio. Refer
to Falcon III Mission Planning and Programming Users Guide
(10515-0307-4200) for instructions on performing this
operation. The matching Private Key must be selected in the
Program Radio dialog before transferring the mission plan to
the radio.
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Figure 5-2 DSS Key Generation
TRANSITION:
a. Radio
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(7) STOP BITS to 1
b. COMPUTER SETUP
(d) SERVICES
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parameters from the plan can be loaded into radio memory.
The 117F RPA encompasses programming for a wide variety of
radio features. Depending on the AN/PRC-117F hardware and
firmware versions, the radio may not be equipped to accept
all features. If this is the case, the 117F RPA will program
all features that are allowed by the radio, and report if
there is anything that was not programmed. Programming
status notifications, errors, and warnings will appear in
the Status box which can be viewed and copied to another
document for record keeping purposes.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
It is recommended to verify that radio port settings
(baud rate, etc.) match between the AN/PRC-117F and the
Falcon III RPA prior to beginning radio programming.
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Figure 7-1 Program Radio
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Figure 7-3. Program 117F Radio Setup
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
For some nets such as HaveQuick, PC time cannot be used for
setting Time Of Day (TOD). HaveQuick TOD must be set in the
AN/PRC-117F radio every time it is powered up. Refer to the
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AN/PRC-117F Operation Manual (10515-0109-4100) or Quick
Reference Guide (10515-0109-4000) for this procedure.
1 Verify AN/PRC-117F
3 Verify
a COM 1
b Baud of 9600
c Parity of NONE
d Bits at 8
e Stop Bit at 1
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Pressing the Abort button once will wait for the radio to
return to the normal state before aborting. Pressing the
Abort button twice will abort programming and return RPA
control to the user immediately, however, it may be
necessary to power cycle the radio to return it to a normal
state.
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7-4. Click the View Log... button and a pop-up screen
will be displayed with further details.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Have students perform PRACTICAL APPLICATION outlined below
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should walk around through the class providing assistance as
the students program their assigned radio. Guidance to the
students will be projected on the screen allowing them to
accomplish this task. The purpose of this practical
application is for the students to show they have the
ability to program a radio with the RAP
PROVIDE-HELP:
1. Safety Brief: Watch for cords cables and Antennas
through out the room
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a. From RPA MAIN SCREEN select STATION TAB>Highlight
desired Station> and select CONFIGURE.
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(ON SLIDE #92)
c. AN/PRC-117F Interfaces
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Figure 8-2 Interfaces - AN/PRC-117F
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tab. The last two octets are changed if you change the HPW
address when using HPW IP (this is only true when using
simplified IP; the octets can be changed manually when not
using simplified IP).
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
The IP Routing dialog is intended for advanced users only.
New routes may override the default routes. Routes entered
on the IP Routing dialog are not checked for validity.
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(ON SLIDE #94)
1. HPW General
2. HPW COMSEC
3. HPW - Data/Voice
4. HPW Squelch
5. HPW Advanced
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(h) HPW General
See Figure 8-4 and refer to Help Files. The General category
sets the basic net frequencies.
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Figure 8-5. HPW Net - COMSEC Dialog
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(l) HPW Advanced The Advanced category is used
to enable IP networking in HPW mode. This is only available
for AN/PRC-117F homogeneous nets. See Figure 8-7. Check the
box to enable IP networking in HPW mode for AN/PRC-117F
radios. Once enabled, a default gateway may be selected from
the pull down box, if needed.
Practical Exercise
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Have Students perform Practical Exercise as shown below.
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All other Entries are DEFAULT
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Radio (RT01 through RT10), Verify COM 1, Baud of 9600,
Parity of NONE, Bits at 8 Stop Bit at 1, Program Radio Plan
Checked, Radio TOD to PC Time NOT Checked, Press the Program
Key to program your radio
PROVIDE-HELP:
1. Safety Brief: Watch for cords cables and Antennas
through out the room
TRANSITION. Now you have loaded the radio utilizing the RPA
is there any questions over the RPA or on anything that has
been covered thus far? If there are no/no further questions
at this time I have questions for you. What Tab do you
select to Program a Radio? Radio or Radio ICON. The PRC-117
10513-0740-A006 Programming Cable is connected to what Port
on the Radio J-3. Now we will take a 10 Minute Break.
BREAK!!!
SATCOM
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(b) Select Create.
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Figure 9-1. SATCOM Net - General Dialog
2 VINSON WB 16K
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Figure 9-2. STC Net - COMSEC Dialog
(ON SLIDE # 111)
2 PREAMBLE
a Standard
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(a) Select whether traffic will be VOICE, DATA, or
DATA/VOICE. Available selections will depend on the crypto
mode and baud rate.
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Figure 9-3 SATCOM Data/Voice 181B
(ON SLIDE # 115)
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a SATCOM frequency codes are fixed and
predefined for Codes 1 through 247, however, Codes 248 and
249 are user configurable for the frequency range shown on
the screen. If using these codes, enter an uplink and
downlink frequency in the range defined on the Global
Waveform Configuration screen.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Whenever a custom table is included in a plan, it will be
programmed into the radio, regardless of settings. The radio
always includes the default 181B table. The radio user must
then select which table will be enabled through the KDU.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
This will prohibit the MIL-STD-188-181B table settings. All
SATCOM codes will need to be defined in the Custom Table.
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and browse to the plan file location. Select the file and
the frequency code table data will be copied to this plan.
(4) Select HPW under the Create Net then Highlight the
HPW Net and select Details (you can also double click on the
net to access it.)
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(d) HPW Squelch
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TRANSITION. Are there any questions on programming HPW nets?
If there are no/no further questions? We will be covering
the SINCGARS portion of the RPA after the Break. Take a 10
Minute break.
1 SINCGARS General
2 SINCGARS COMSEC
3 SINCGARS - Data/Voice
4 SINCGARS Squelch
5 SINCGARS Advanced
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through all five categories in the same manner and click
Finish when done.
1 Info Type
a Auto on ADF
b Auto on Data
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3 Voice Mode is not selectable
(a) General
1 Cue Frequency
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(ON SLIDE #132)
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
For HAVEQUICK nets, TOD variance must be less than one
second net wide, and must be set in the radio every time it
is powered up. Refer to the radios operation manual or
quick reference guide for this procedure.
(3) Select Details
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1 A00.025 to A01.525 = HQ II NATO FMT Net
Frequency Management Training (FMT) Separate List of 16
Frequency
1 HAVEQUICK General
2 HAVEQUICK COMSEC
3 HAVEQUICK - Data/Voice
4 HAVEQUICK Squelch
5 HAVEQUICK Advanced
1 HAVEQUICK General
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2. VINSON - HAVEQUICK operates normally
using VINSON KY-57 secure voice. Select VINSON for CT
operations.
1 Guard Frequency
2 FMT
3 Word Of Day
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a Input the SWOD or MWOD as necessary
k. Maritime.
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5 MARITIME FIXED FREQUENCY Advanced
1 Channel Tables
a US
b International
1 None
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1 Checked Stations = SHORE Stations
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(6) Select the Station and CONFIG.
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(a) Frequency Code. Enter Frequency Code of 001 to
247 which defines uplink and downlink frequencies. Refer to
Help files B-3 for a listing of UHF SATCOM channels and
their frequencies. These channels are the same used in
dedicated SATCOM operation. Non-standard, or Non-US DAMA
Systems must use the RF-6550M RPA software to configure a
custom DAMA Frequency Code table that can then be downloaded
to the AN/PRC-117F.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Pre-assigned login for EMCON is only available for 5 kHz
while in EMCON.
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1 ANDVT - Use for voice or data operation
across the UHF range of 225.000000 MHz to 511.999999 MHz.
2. REDUNDANT MODE 2
3. NON-REDUNDANT MODE 3
4. NON-REDUNDANT MODE 4
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4 VINSON - Use for voice or data across the
entire operational range of 225.000000 MHz to 511.999999
MHz. Data rate for VINSON is 16 kbps only. Compatible with
other embedded or standalone KY-57 VINSON or KY-99A devices.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
If data is selected as ASYNC, data port configuration will
need to match the specific parameters of the device. This
type of device must also have its data rate match the port
speed.
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10 DAMA-ADVANCE Additional Network Guards and
Port Configurations Information Port Config
Name/Number/Description.
m. SCANNING
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Maritime Nets may be scanned in the VULOS Scan List.
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items (priorities, times) from one station to another. This
will take the information from the station selected in the
left drop down box, and copy it to the station selected on
the right. If ALL is selected, the information from the
station on the left will be copied to all stations in the
right hand list.
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designate the selected net as the Priority RX Net. The
selected net name will display in the Priority TX Net or
Priority RX Net field.
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(a) Report on each Voice Transmission, position
report will be transmitted whenever the Push-to-Talk (PTT)
is keyed.
2 Custom IP
1 Harris
2 SINCGARS
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(ON SLIDE #169)
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Save and Save Often
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2 Voice Priority Over Data - When this box is
checked, it allows the operator to key the handset while
the radio is transmitting data and immediately (less than
two seconds) switch to voice mode. Keying the handset drops
the data transmission immediately. After the handset unkeys,
data transmission may or may not resume, depending upon the
type of data, mode of operation, and connected data device.
When connector J3 is used for data, the net DATA/VOICE
setting must be AUTO ON DATA.
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a Internal - Uses internal clock for
synchronization.
a LATITUDE/LONGITUDE DM (Latitude/Longitude
Degrees/Minutes)
b LATITUDE/LONGITUDE DMS
(Latitude/Longitude Degrees/Minutes/Seconds)
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(ON SLIDE #177)
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an exclusion band with some or all of the preset
frequencies.
2 Click Delete.
3 Enable security.
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(d) Re-enter Password - Enter the Preset Net Lock
password again for confirmation.
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call inactivity. To set an inactivity timeout, click on the
check box and enter the timeout period in seconds. The
available range is 10 to 1800 seconds and the default
timeout is 120 seconds.
PROVIDE-HELP:
1. Safety Brief: Watch for cords cables and Antennas
through out the room
4. SUMMERY: (2 MIN)
Today we have covered the Radio Programming Application as
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it pertains to the AN/PRC-117F. As you can see, this program
can be developed by a single unit and disseminate to
subordinate commands and allow for you to employ this asset
and give us much more capabilities as well as eliminates
lots of room for error. Saving TIME!!!
REFERENCE(S):
Harris Operations Manual for the AN/PRC-117F Revision J.
Harris AN/PRC-117F Quick Reference Guide Revision E
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