Operate Communication Systems& Equipment

CERT IV

Benjie Williams

Benjie Williams

Benjie Williams

Operate Communication Systems& Equipment

The topics within this unit are:

Types of Communication Systems & Equipment

Examples of communication systems.

Transmitting and receiving in communication systems.

Other information processes in communication systems.

Issues related to communication systems.

Characteristics and Protocols of communication systems.

Types of Communication Systems

Personal Computers and modems

Mobile phones

Landline phones

Satellite phones

2 way radios

CB radio

HF radio

GPS

EPIRBs

PLB

Beacons

Other useful devices

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Personal Computers and modems

PCs have become a standard feature of today’s communication channels.

networked into the internet via a modem

can be connected to other PC, smart phones, tablets, business and individuals

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Personal Computers and modems

Positives

- ability to store enormous amounts of data

- sharability of data

- multiple platforms of communication – text, visual (pics and video) and audio

 

Negatives

- Portability – can break, battery life

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Mobile Phones

2 Digital types: GSM - good for 30km from tower, and CDMA - good for 250 km from tower

Range on any mobile phone will also depend on the accessories used such as in car kits with high gain antennas, or base station mobile phones with fixed directional antennas.

 Smart phones have revolutionized the way we communicate. Email, messaging, video and audio, short messages and long. Social and professional networking.

 Smart phones are only limited by the carriers reception and range and battery life.

Cover about 92% of the population but limited in location to the coastal areas.

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Positives and Negatives

- easy to use

- variety of ways to send communication

-High mobility

-International roaming with GSM

-Adaptable to fax and data

-Personal communications

-Low equipment cost

- can break, battery life, vulnerable to moisture

- Reception by carrier

-Congestion can occur

-Limited by battery capacity

-Coverage is limited in some areas

-Wide variations in equipment

-No broadcast capability

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Other telecommunications

Landline Landline based

communication still remains the primary form of communication while in the office.

But with the ever increasing mobile office situation, mobile phones are becoming the standard form of communication

Satellite phone Many varieties aval Carriers:

Globalstar, Iridium, Inmarsat and Optus

lacks the ease of use of a standard smartphone

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Two-way radio

Can: transmit and receive operates on the

same radio frequency (channel).

Available in: mobile, stationary

base and hand-held portable

push-to-talk most common = half-duplex

Mobile phone = full duplex = send and receive at the same time.

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CB radio

Built in stations or mobile form. It is class licensed which means that users do not have to apply for a license or pay a license fee. All users are subject to the same license conditions

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HF radio

works basically anywhere

can speak over a distance of 3 metres up to many thousands of KM's

HF Radios range from between $500 second hand to around $5000 new.

HF Radios in Australia come from four major players:

Codan Barrett, Q-Mac and Icom.

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Global Positioning System (GPS)

a satellite-based navigation system

made up of a network of 24 satellites

placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense.

was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use.

GPS works in any weather

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EPIRBs

EPIRBs are a radio transmitting device that when activated transmit to a signal to a satellite and to overpassing aircraft.

need to be out in a clear open area to get a good signal and a position fix to the satellite.

great out in the open arid land, but less than idealin places like narrow canyons where the view to the sky is limited.

EPIRBS are around $300 - $1000 new and have a battery life of approx 10 years.

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Other useful devices

Smoke & Fire

Pen Flares

Mirror and Shiny Objects

Torch or strobe light

Clothing

Natural Material

Sea Dye Markers

Audio Signals

Whistles

Gunshots

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5 Basic ComponentsEvery communication system has 5 basic requirements•Data Source (where the data originates)•Transmitter (device used to transmit data)•Transmission Medium (cables or non cable)•Receiver (device used to receive data)•Destination (where the data will be placed)

5 Basic Components

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- simplex: One direction only

Transmission Direction

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Half Duplex Transmission

half duplex: Both directions but only one direction at a time

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Full Duplex Transmission

full duplex: send and receive both directions at once

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Transmission Media

twisted pair – telephone cable

coaxial cable –Thick black cable used for higher bandwidth communications than twisted pair (i.e. Optus cable)

fibre optic – data transferred through pulses of light. Extremely fast.

Non cable methods such as satelite, microwave, wireless and bluetooth

Verbal communication procedures may include

pro-words

phonetic alphabet

call signs

coded messages

use of abbreviations

emergency procedures

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Pro-words

Prowords are pronounceable words or phrases, which have an assigned meaning for the purpose of expediting message transmissions. Examples of common prowords and their meanings are as follows:

 

a. ‘Roger’—Message received and understood.

b. ‘This is’—Used in conjunction with an identifying radio call sign.

c. ‘Over’—My transmission is ended and I expect a reply (Never used in

conjunction with OUT).

d. ‘Out’—My transmission is ended, I do not expect a reply (Never used in

conjunction with OVER).

e. ‘Say again’—Repeat all of your transmission again (Or identified portion

of the message).

f. ‘Wait’—I must pause during my transmission.

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phonetic alphabet

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call signs

The usual prefix for Australian amateur call signs is VK. The numeral that separates the prefix from the suffix indicates the state/territory in which the operator is licensed

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Voice procedures may include

rhythm

speed

volume

pitch

sentences

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Occupational health and safety issues

Occupational Health and Safety arrangements may vary between organisations but

must always be taken into consideration when using communications equipment.

Some hazards that may be encountered include:

a. electrical storms;

b. electric shock;

c. electromagnetic radiation (EMR); and

d. mechanical risk (eg antenna hardware).

Before operating any communications equipment, users should check with the

manufacturers’ handbooks and relevant occupational health and safety arrangements.

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