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Practice › Radio

Patrol radio (ICOM)

The 9 parts, the two PTTs and the Metro channels, from the SLSWA ICOM Radio Guide.

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NORTH COTTQUIZ · 5 QUESTIONSKnow your ICOMNot tried yet · 2 minutesStart quiz
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H13:56 Metro Wide28 T VHF1 – Ops FUNC CLR
TAP A NUMBER

Tap a number on the radio

Each number shows what that part does.

Start up

  1. Take the radio off the charger.
  2. Turn on with the On/Off/Volume knob and set the volume.
  3. Wait while it connects to the Telstra network — up to 40 seconds.
  4. Check the two channels shown, then hold CLR to lock the keypad.
TOP PTT · LARGEMETRO WIDE

Telstra network. Surfcom monitors this channel. Listen before you speak; a beep confirms the channel.

BOTTOM PTT · SMALLVHF1 – OPS

VHF, line of sight only. Use for club communication. Neighbouring clubs may be heard.

Swap them: press and hold FUNC.

Broadcast all patrol operations on Metro Wide so Surfcom monitors and records them. Use VHF or your club channel for admin, training and other non-patrol traffic. Formal radio protocols apply on every channel, every time.

On patrol

  • Keep Metro Wide as the top channel, on the large PTT.
  • Listen before speaking — several members can talk on the Telstra channels at once.
  • Use ‘Over’ and ‘Out’ so others know when the channel is clear, and keep to standard pro-words.
  • Surfcom monitors only the Area Wide channels day to day and may move your club to another channel during a major incident.
  • Only use the VHF Marine channels when directed by Police, Marine Rescue or Surfcom. Improper use may result in fines.

Metro channels

  • 1Metro Wide — Surfcom monitored
  • 2Metro Ops
  • 3Metro ERT
  • 12NCSLSC — club channel
  • 01–05VHF Ops — line of sight
  • 06–18VHF Marine — when directed

When you finish: turn the radio off, make sure it is dry and put it back on the charger.

The 9 parts

  1. 1On/Off/Volume Turn on, set volume.
  2. 2Channel Selector Changes the top channel.
  3. 3Emergency Distress button Emergency distress.
  4. 4Indicator Red transmitting, green receiving.
  5. 5Top PTT (large) Transmits on the top channel.
  6. 6Bottom PTT (small) Transmits on the lower channel.
  7. 7Display The two channels you are on.
  8. 8FUNC Press and hold to swap the two channels.
  9. 9CLR Press and hold to lock / unlock the keypad.

From the SLSWA ICOM Radio Guide v1.1. A radio induction is required before patrolling. Quiz me