Operation of Inter-Squad Radio (ISR) - Kentucky Wing CAP

Operation of Inter-Squad Radio(ISR)Kentucky Wing, Civil Air PatrolVersion 2.3

Overview• ISR Specifications• ISR Utilization Policy• Battery• Range•Operation• Questions

ISR Specifications• UHF-FM• 14 Channels• 38 Group Codes

ISR Utilization Policy• ISR frequencies are used by other militaryand federal users on a shared basis.– While chances of conflicting with another agencyare small, be aware that there may be other usersof the frequencies.• ISRs are not to be used from aircraft.– The ISR is intended to be a short-range radio. If itis used in an aircraft, its range increasesdramatically and may interfere with other users.

ISR Utilization Policy, cont.• ISRs should be deployed within Mission Baseamongst various staff positions• Standard CAP radio procedure will be used.• Call signs will be used at all times and will beassigned by appropriate leaders.• ISRs will normally be used with tactical callsigns (ex. Ground Team Tango Alpha, orKYCAP 804)

ISR’s Range• The ISR is a short-range radio. It coversdifferent areas in different terrain:– In wide areas free from obstruction, it hasits highest range (up to 2 miles)– When there are large buildings or trees inthe operating area, it covers a mediumrange.– In mountainous areas or areas with heavyfoliage, it covers a minimum range.

Batteries• The ISR operates on three AA batteries.To install:– Open the latch at the bottom of the backof the radio– Lift the battery cover from the bottom andpull out.– NEVER leave batteries in the radiowhen the radio is not being used formore than a few days.

ISR Antenna• The ISR’s antennarotates behind theradio for easytransportation.• NEVER operate theISR without FULLYEXTENDING theANTENNA.

Turning things on and off• On the ISR, follow the same process to turna feature on and off. For example, you dothe same thing to:– Turn the radio on and off– Open and close the squelch– Lock the keypad–And more

Turning the ISR on/off• To turn the ISR onor off, press andhold the POWERbutton on the frontof the radio.

Volume Control• The volume knob is located onthe right-hand side of the top ofthe radio and is indicated in red.• When setting the volume level:Press and hold the MODEbutton, also indicated in red forone second or until you hearstatic. This will open the squelchand allow you to set the volumeto a comfortable level. Oncevolume is set, press MODEagain for one second until thesquelch is closed.

ISR Display• When first turnedon, the ISR displayshows these basicelements:– Radio Symbol (A)– Channel (B)– Group Code (C)

• The Radio Symbol,shown in red,indicates that theradio power is on.Radio Symbol

Channel Number• The ChannelNumber, shown inred, indicates whatchannel the radio iscurrently operatingon. The ISR has 14channels.

• The Group Code,shown in red,indicates whichgroup code the radiois currentlyoperating on.• If the Group Code isdisabled, two dashesappear in place of anumber.Group Code

What are Group Codes?• The ISR has 38 group codes. Groupcodes, or tones, are transmitted alongwith your signal and allow only otherradios on the same group code toreceive your transmission.• In order to operate properly, all theradios in a net need to be operating onthe same channel and group code.

Changing Channels• To change thechannel on the ISR,press the UP orDOWN buttons(shown in red) untilthe desired channelappears on thescreen.

Changing Group Codes• To change the groupcode on the ISR:– Press the MODE buttonto enter Group Mode.The Group Code willflash.– Use the UP and DOWNbuttons to choose theappropriate Group Code.– To turn Group Codes off,use the UP and DOWNbuttons to select --.– Press MODE again to exitGroup Mode. The GroupCode will stop flashing.

Key Lock Function• To activate the key lock function, hold thePOWER button when turning the radio on.• Only the power and PTT buttons will work inkey lock mode.• To deactivate key lock function, turn theradio off, then hold the POWER button whenturning the radio on.

Resetting the ISR• If you ever enter amode you cannot getout of, or if youencounter a problem,simply reset the radio.• To reset the radio,press DOWN and MODEwhile turning thePOWER on.• The Reset will cause allsettings to return totheir defaults.

Questions