VX-7R O
PERATING
M
ANUAL
35
ARTS
(
A
UTOMATIC
R
ANGE
T
RANSPONDER
S
YSTEM
)
The ARTS feature uses DCS signaling to inform both parties when you and another ARTS-
equipped station are within communications range. This may be particularly useful during
Search-and Rescue situations, where is important to stay in contact with other members of
your group.
Both stations must set up their DCS codes to the same code number, then activate their
ARTS feature using the command appropriate for their radio. Alert ringers may be acti-
vated, if desired.
Whenever you push the
PTT
, or every 25 (or 15) seconds after ARTS is activated, your
radio will transmit a signal which includes a (subaudible) DCS
signal for about 1 second. If the other radio is in range, the
beeper will sound (if enabled) and the display will show “
IN
RANGE
” as opposed to the out of range display “
OUT RANGE
”
in which ARTS operation begins.
Whether you talk or not, the polling every 15 or 25 seconds
will continue until you de-activate ARTS. Every 10 minutes,
moreover, you can have your radio transmit your callsign via
CW, so as to comply with identification requirements. When ARTS is de-activated, DCS
will also be deactivated (if you were not using it previously in non-ARTS operation).
If you move out of range for more than one minute (four pollings), your radio will sense
that no signal has been received, three beeps will sound, and the display will revert to
“
OUT RANGE
.” If you move back into range, your radio will again beep, and the display
will change back to the “
IN RANGE
” indication.
During ARTS operation, your operating frequency will continue to be displayed, but no
changes may be made to it or other settings; you must terminate ARTS in order to resume
normal operation. This is a safety feature designed to prevent accidental loss of contact
due to channel change, etc.
Here is how to activate ARTS:
Basic ARTS Setup and Operation
1.
Set your radio and the other radio(s) to the same DCS code number, per the discussion
on page 31.
2.
Press the
key, then press the
key. You will observe the “
OUT RANGE
” display
on the LCD below the operating frequency. ARTS operation has now commenced.
3.
Every 25 seconds, your radio will transmit a “polling” call to the other station. When
that station responds with its own ARTS polling signal, the display will change to “
IN
RANGE
” to confirm that the other station’s polling code was received in response to
yours.
A
DVANCED
O
PERATION
