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This page provides technical information about the Firefly radio setup. If you're just using a radio, you probably don't need it.
This page provides technical information about the Firefly radio setup. If you're just using a radio, you probably don't need it.
= Radio Channels =


== Firefly Radio Channels 2018 ==
== Firefly Radio Channels 2018 ==


See [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OVPoOro6XbNZq_3cnoZIbvEqRcRgt271JUlZ7ObTjOE/edit#gid=0 this sheet] for the latest version of the 2018 radio channels. This version is current as of 2018-06-29:
See [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OVPoOro6XbNZq_3cnoZIbvEqRcRgt271JUlZ7ObTjOE/edit#gid=0 this sheet] for the latest version of the 2018 radio channels. This version is current as of 2018-06-29:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|Channel
|'''Channel'''
|BF-888 Channel
|'''BF-888'''
|MD-390 Channel
'''Channel'''
|UV-82HP/UV5R
|'''MD-390'''
|Rcv
'''Channel'''
|Xmt (if different)
|'''UV-82HP'''
|Tech
'''UV5R'''
|Isolation Rcv
 
|Description
'''Channel'''
|'''Rcv'''
|'''Xmt'''
'''(if different)'''
|'''Tech'''
|'''Tone/Isolation'''
|'''Description'''
|-
|-
|MURS1
|'''MURS1'''
|
|
|
|
Line 26: Line 35:
|
|
|-
|-
|Safety1
|'''Safety1'''
|1
|1
|1
|1
Line 34: Line 43:
|UHF Analog
|UHF Analog
|127.3
|127.3
|Primary Ranger channel. Repeater-enabled.
|Primary Safety Core channel. Repeater-enabled
|-
|-
|TAC1ICS
|'''TAC1ICS'''
|2
|2
|2
|2
Line 44: Line 53:
|UHF Analog
|UHF Analog
|114.8
|114.8
|For use when ICS is activated.
|For use when ICS is activated
|-
|-
|Sanctuary
|'''Sanctuary'''
|3
|3
|3
|3
Line 54: Line 63:
|UHF Analog
|UHF Analog
|100
|100
|
|Sanctuary-only
|-
|-
|Board
|'''Board'''
|4
|4
|4
|4
Line 66: Line 75:
|
|
|-
|-
|DPW
|'''DPW'''
|5
|5
|5
|5
Line 76: Line 85:
|
|
|-
|-
|LNT
|'''LNT'''
|6
|6
|6
|6
Line 86: Line 95:
|
|
|-
|-
|GGGP
|'''GGGP'''
|
|
|7
|7
Line 94: Line 103:
|UHF DMR
|UHF DMR
|Group Call 1
|Group Call 1
|
|Gnome Gate Greeters Parking Security
|-
|-
|GTFO
|'''GTFO'''
|
|
|8
|8
Line 104: Line 113:
|UHF DMR
|UHF DMR
|Group Call 2
|Group Call 2
|
|Get The Freaks On/Off (the hill). Digital only.
|-
|-
|Accessibility
|'''Accessibility'''
|
|
|9
|9
Line 114: Line 123:
|UHF DMR
|UHF DMR
|Group Call 3
|Group Call 3
|
|Digital radios only!
|-
|-
|WAKE
|'''WAKE'''
|
|
|
|
Line 126: Line 135:
|
|
|-
|-
|TAC2
|'''TAC2'''
|
|
|
|
Line 136: Line 145:
|
|
|-
|-
|TAC3
|'''TAC3'''
|
|
|
|
Line 146: Line 155:
|
|
|-
|-
|WX W VT
|'''WX W VT'''
|
|
|
|
Line 154: Line 163:
|VHF AnalogWide
|VHF AnalogWide
|None
|None
|
|West Vermont NOAA weather broadcast.
|-
|-
|WX E VT
|'''WX E VT'''
|
|
|
|
Line 164: Line 173:
|VHF AnalogWide
|VHF AnalogWide
|None
|None
|
|East Vermont NOAA weather broadcast.
|-
|-
|WX W NH
|'''WX W NH'''
|
|
|
|
Line 174: Line 183:
|VHF AnalogWide
|VHF AnalogWide
|None
|None
|West NH NOAA weather broadcast.
|}
|}


== Debugging Radio Issues ==
== Chirp Files ==
If you'd like to program your own radio, Chirp files are available [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PlIu6-tycExciWRIn8SQ3xykEvWl3LQ8?usp=sharing here]. This is entirely at your own risk -- neither Radio Core nor Rangers offer support for personally owned or programmed radios.


==== No one can hear me ====
== License ==
* Is the battery low?
Our callsign is WQVL648 and expires in 2025.
* Is it on the wrong channel?
* Is the mic in securely?
* Antenna held upwards, away from body?
* Too close to body?


==== I can't hear anyone ====
{| class="wikitable"
* Is the battery low?
!Frequency
* Is it on the wrong channel?
!Band
* Antenna held upwards, away from body?
!Power
!Notes
|-
|464.5
|UHF
|25
|Current repeater input
|-
|464.55
|UHF
|25
|
|-
|469.5
|UHF
|25
|Current repeater output
|-
|469.55
|UHF
|25
|
|-
|451.8
|UHF
|5
|
|-
|451.8125
|UHF
|5
|
|-
|456.8
|UHF
|5
|
|-
|456.8125
|UHF
|5
|
|-
|151.505
|VHF
|5
|
|-
|151.5125
|VHF
|5
|
|-
|151.7
|VHF
|5
|
|-
|151.76
|VHF
|5
|
|-
|151.955
|VHF
|5
|
|-
|154.5725
|VHF
|5
|
|-
|158.4
|VHF
|5
|
|-
|158.4075
|VHF
|5
|
|}
 
= Radio Hardware =


*
Firefly uses several variants of commercially-produced, commonly-available amateur handheld transceivers (HTs).


== Troubleshooting problems with returned radios ==
== BF-888s ==
* Try these things in order; try an extra turning off & on again between steps:
** 1 Turn off & on again;
** 2 Turn off, replace batteries, turn on again;
** 3 Turn off, remove microphone, turn on again;
** 4 Turn off, replace antenna, turn on again;
** 5 Check channel is set to the correct station and locked correctly
* If none of those work: mark any equipment still having problems with red tape and put aside for a Radio tech. Note down what the observed problem is in the Echelon log!


== Charge Radio batteries & Routine Radio Maintenance ==
[[File:Bf-888s.jpg|none]]
* Wipe off radios & equipment with sanitizing wipes between users
* Put radios on charging station
* Charged radios in radio queue (i.e., hanging shoe holder.)
* Charged radios/batteries go in green bin, batteries needing charging are in red bin
* Switch out based on indicator lights on chargers (red is charging, green is charged)
* Baofeng UV5R-V2+: Extended batteries work better in the UV5R V2+s than the UV5Rs. Don’t give out the extended batteries (~2” longer than normal batteries) unless specifically requested or if there are no more charged batteries left. Since there are only a few of them, we try to save them for Khaki/OOD and others with long shifts.


== Prepare & Queue Radios for Shifts ==
{| class="wikitable"
Use the hanging Radio Queue (hanging shoe holder) to queue up radios for oncoming shifts.
|-
| '''Name''' || BF-888s
|-
| '''Channels''' || 16
|-
| '''Bands''' || UHF only
|-
| '''Frequency Range''' || 400 - 470MHz
|-
| '''RF Power''' || ~3W
|-
| '''Operating Voltage''' || 3.7V
|-
| '''Users''' || Dirt Rangers, other Safety Cores, anyone who doesn't need a different radio
|}


=== Different Types of Radios for Different Cores ===
=== Links ===
* **Baofeng BF888s**: ALL (note: can only use UHF, can’t do MURS)
* **Baofeng 5-series** (UV-5R+, UV-5Rv2, etc.): Khaki (can do MURS1)
* **TYT MD-390**: Digital radios. For use by GGGP, GTFO, and Accessibility.
* THEME CAMPS: If a theme camp requests a radio, give them one with just MURS1 programmed


=== Channels for Different Cores ===
* [http://www.miklor.com/BF888/888-Manual.php Web "manual" for the BF-888]
All Rangers, Medical, Sanctuary, FAST and Event Lead: SAFETY1 (Ch1)


Khaki: Use a UV5R radio labeled “Khaki” (with A as SAFETY1, B as MURS1 (dual scan mode?)
== UV-5R ==


Board-on-Call: BOARD (Ch 4)
[[File:UV-5R.jpg|UV-5R diagram|none]]


DPW & Sound: DPW & Sound (Ch 5)
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| '''Name''' || UV-5R (also UV-5Rv2, UV-5R+, etc.)
|-
| '''Channels''' || 128
|-
| '''Bands''' || UHF/VHF
|-
| '''Frequency Range''' || 136-174MHz, 400-520MHz TX
|-
| '''RF Power''' || ~4W
|-
| '''Operating Voltage''' || 7.4V
|-
| '''Users''' || Khaki, anyone on a long shift
|}


Gate Greeter Parking Gnomes Security: GGGP (DMR radios only)
The UV-5R has several ~identical-looking [https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Baofeng_UV5R_Variants variants]. When programming the radio, it's important to look at the model plate on the front and see what you have. If it's not "UV-5R", you likely have one of the custom variants -- see [https://baofengtech.com/comparechart Baofengtech's compare chart] for more info on the differences. They all have basically the same capability, with the exception of the RD-5R, which is a digital radio.


Theme camps: MURS1 only (give out a UV5R with MURS1 only)
=== Links ===


=== Shift change schedules ===
* [http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/pdf/uv-5r_v1.0-annotated_by_KC9HI.pdf Annotated user manual] -- extremely useful!
Shift changes for cores that will most likely come to HQ:
* Ranger shift change schedule: Every 4 hours (2:00, 6:00, 10:00)
** Ranger Supervisor change: OOD (noon), Khaki (midnight, 8am, 5pm)
* Medical shift change schedule:
** Medical Supervisor change:
* Sanctuary shift change schedule:
** Sanctuary Supervisor change:
* FAST shift change schedule:
** FAST supervisor change:
* Board on Call:
Shift changes for cores likely to call in a switch (encourage to come by to get a new battery at least; they definitely should call in the change to say who is on shift):
* Gate
* Greeters
* Parking
* Security
* Gnomes
* Sometimes Medical, FAST & Sanctuary later in the event
You may find the need to dispatch a new radio/battery to Gate, Security, or Parking (they’re unlikely to come to the ranger station in person). Note down the change, send a Gnome with the new radio/battery, and make sure you get the old radio/battery back.


== Baofeng BF888 Diagram ==
== TYT MD-390 ==


== Baofeng UV5R Series Radio Diagram-For Khaki Radio only ==
[[File:Md-390.jpg|MD-390|none]]


== Radio Docs ==
{| class="wikitable"
[[Radio Basics|Firefly Radio Basics]]
|-
| '''Name''' || TYT MD-390
|-
| '''Channels''' || lots
|-
| '''Bands''' || UHF
|-
| '''Frequency Range''' || 400-480MHz
|-
| '''RF Power''' || ~4W
|-
| '''Operating Voltage''' || 7.4V
|-
| '''Users''' || For 2018: GGGP, GTFO, Accessibility
|}
 
This is a DMR (Digital Mobile Radio). It can be used on the analog UHF channels in a similar fashion to the other radios, but its primary use is on the digital channels. For users, its operation is the same as the others: push to talk.
 
We may expand our use of DMR in the future depending on how 2018 goes.
 
=== Links ===
 
* [http://www.miklor.com/MD380/pdf/MD380_Manual.pdf MD-380 manual]
* [http://www.tyt888.com/uploadfile/upfiles/20170321133947.zip CPS -- programming software for the MD-390]
* [https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0390spec.html MD-390 specs]
 
= Firefly Repeater =
 
[[File:Gr1225.jpg|GR1225|none]]
 
The Firefly repeater is a Motorola GR1225 desktop repeater.
 
= Programming Radios =
 
== Analog radios ==
 
Preparation: (Open CHIRP, load files: BF888, UV-5R- {307, 311, 313})
 
[[File:Chirp.png]]
 
=== BF-888: just flash it ===
* Select BF-888 file tab
* Turn on radio
* Plug in programming cable
* Upload to Radio → Alt-U or Radio→ Upload
* Wait for upload to complete
* Unplug and turn off
 
=== Firefly UV-5R (no +, E, V2, etc.): flash with care ===
* Select UV-5R 311 file tab
* Turn on radio, volume up, plug in
* Upload to Radio
* IF OK: unplug, turn off
* IF ERROR (firmware mismatch)
** note version of firmware (in error message)
** if 307 or 313, open that file, retry flash
** otherwise, see procedure below
 
=== Firefly UV-5R V2+, E, U, etc., Other Radio, or Privately Owned Analog Radio ===
 
* Download from Radio: Alt-D or Radio → Download
* Plug in cable, turn on, wait 5 seconds
* Select correct radio type in dropdown (All UV-5R variants use “UV-5R” option)
* Press enter, wait for download
* Open new file (tab all the way to the right, may need to scroll using little arrow in upper right)
* File → Import → Select type “.csv” in dropdown → open FF2018.csv
* Leave 1-7 or 1-8 checked (include MURS1 = 0 if there)
* Press Enter
* Upload to Radio, unplug, check/test freqs
 
=== DEBUG ===
 
"Error: Radio did not respond"
* Is it on?
* Check cable -- fully plugged in?
* Turn volume up
* Wait 5 seconds, retry
* Recharge, retry


Firefly Radio for everyone 2014
Other error:
* Write down error on post-it
* Stick it in dead radio bin


[https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B60ful8Qp1F5UWVTN0lkZHFqS3M Radio Reference Card 2016-print version]
== Digital radios ==


'''Burning man radio training:'''
Hoo boy. Best to get someone who knows how to help you with this for now. Better instructions to come.


Video: https://vimeo.com/101945669
= Additional resources =
[[Radio Basics|Firefly Radio Basics]]


Document: http://tinyurl.com/ArtOfRadio
[https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B60ful8Qp1F5UWVTN0lkZHFqS3M Radio Reference Card 2016-print version]


Baofeng UV5Rs Operation & Maintenance Tips
'''Burning Man Radio Training:'''
* Video: https://vimeo.com/101945669
* Document: http://tinyurl.com/ArtOfRadio

Latest revision as of 12:53, 1 June 2019

This page provides technical information about the Firefly radio setup. If you're just using a radio, you probably don't need it.

Radio Channels

Firefly Radio Channels 2018

See this sheet for the latest version of the 2018 radio channels. This version is current as of 2018-06-29:

Channel BF-888

Channel

MD-390

Channel

UV-82HP

UV5R

Channel

Rcv Xmt

(if different)

Tech Tone/Isolation Description
MURS1 0 151.82 VHF Analog None
Safety1 1 1 1 464.5 469.5 UHF Analog 127.3 Primary Safety Core channel. Repeater-enabled
TAC1ICS 2 2 2 469.55 UHF Analog 114.8 For use when ICS is activated
Sanctuary 3 3 3 456.8 UHF Analog 100 Sanctuary-only
Board 4 4 4 451.8125 UHF Analog 88.5
DPW 5 5 5 456.8125 UHF Analog 94.8
LNT 6 6 6 456.8 UHF Analog 203.5
GGGP 7 451.8 UHF DMR Group Call 1 Gnome Gate Greeters Parking Security
GTFO 8 451.8 UHF DMR Group Call 2 Get The Freaks On/Off (the hill). Digital only.
Accessibility 9 451.8 UHF DMR Group Call 3 Digital radios only!
WAKE 7 151.505 VHF Analog 123
TAC2 8 151.625 VHF Analog 114.8
TAC3 9 151.7 VHF Analog 100
WX W VT 10 162.5 --- VHF AnalogWide None West Vermont NOAA weather broadcast.
WX E VT 11 162.475 --- VHF AnalogWide None East Vermont NOAA weather broadcast.
WX W NH 12 162.525 --- VHF AnalogWide None West NH NOAA weather broadcast.

Chirp Files

If you'd like to program your own radio, Chirp files are available here. This is entirely at your own risk -- neither Radio Core nor Rangers offer support for personally owned or programmed radios.

License

Our callsign is WQVL648 and expires in 2025.

Frequency Band Power Notes
464.5 UHF 25 Current repeater input
464.55 UHF 25
469.5 UHF 25 Current repeater output
469.55 UHF 25
451.8 UHF 5
451.8125 UHF 5
456.8 UHF 5
456.8125 UHF 5
151.505 VHF 5
151.5125 VHF 5
151.7 VHF 5
151.76 VHF 5
151.955 VHF 5
154.5725 VHF 5
158.4 VHF 5
158.4075 VHF 5

Radio Hardware

Firefly uses several variants of commercially-produced, commonly-available amateur handheld transceivers (HTs).

BF-888s

Bf-888s.jpg
Name BF-888s
Channels 16
Bands UHF only
Frequency Range 400 - 470MHz
RF Power ~3W
Operating Voltage 3.7V
Users Dirt Rangers, other Safety Cores, anyone who doesn't need a different radio

Links

UV-5R

UV-5R diagram
Name UV-5R (also UV-5Rv2, UV-5R+, etc.)
Channels 128
Bands UHF/VHF
Frequency Range 136-174MHz, 400-520MHz TX
RF Power ~4W
Operating Voltage 7.4V
Users Khaki, anyone on a long shift

The UV-5R has several ~identical-looking variants. When programming the radio, it's important to look at the model plate on the front and see what you have. If it's not "UV-5R", you likely have one of the custom variants -- see Baofengtech's compare chart for more info on the differences. They all have basically the same capability, with the exception of the RD-5R, which is a digital radio.

Links

TYT MD-390

MD-390
Name TYT MD-390
Channels lots
Bands UHF
Frequency Range 400-480MHz
RF Power ~4W
Operating Voltage 7.4V
Users For 2018: GGGP, GTFO, Accessibility

This is a DMR (Digital Mobile Radio). It can be used on the analog UHF channels in a similar fashion to the other radios, but its primary use is on the digital channels. For users, its operation is the same as the others: push to talk.

We may expand our use of DMR in the future depending on how 2018 goes.

Links

Firefly Repeater

GR1225

The Firefly repeater is a Motorola GR1225 desktop repeater.

Programming Radios

Analog radios

Preparation: (Open CHIRP, load files: BF888, UV-5R- {307, 311, 313})

Chirp.png

BF-888: just flash it

  • Select BF-888 file tab
  • Turn on radio
  • Plug in programming cable
  • Upload to Radio → Alt-U or Radio→ Upload
  • Wait for upload to complete
  • Unplug and turn off

Firefly UV-5R (no +, E, V2, etc.): flash with care

  • Select UV-5R 311 file tab
  • Turn on radio, volume up, plug in
  • Upload to Radio
  • IF OK: unplug, turn off
  • IF ERROR (firmware mismatch)
    • note version of firmware (in error message)
    • if 307 or 313, open that file, retry flash
    • otherwise, see procedure below

Firefly UV-5R V2+, E, U, etc., Other Radio, or Privately Owned Analog Radio

  • Download from Radio: Alt-D or Radio → Download
  • Plug in cable, turn on, wait 5 seconds
  • Select correct radio type in dropdown (All UV-5R variants use “UV-5R” option)
  • Press enter, wait for download
  • Open new file (tab all the way to the right, may need to scroll using little arrow in upper right)
  • File → Import → Select type “.csv” in dropdown → open FF2018.csv
  • Leave 1-7 or 1-8 checked (include MURS1 = 0 if there)
  • Press Enter
  • Upload to Radio, unplug, check/test freqs

DEBUG

"Error: Radio did not respond"

  • Is it on?
  • Check cable -- fully plugged in?
  • Turn volume up
  • Wait 5 seconds, retry
  • Recharge, retry

Other error:

  • Write down error on post-it
  • Stick it in dead radio bin

Digital radios

Hoo boy. Best to get someone who knows how to help you with this for now. Better instructions to come.

Additional resources

Firefly Radio Basics

Radio Reference Card 2016-print version

Burning Man Radio Training:

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