VX-8GR/GE O
PERATING
M
ANUAL
83
The ARTS
TM
feature uses DCS signaling to inform both parties when you and another
ARTS
TM
-equipped station are within communications range. This may be particularly
useful during Search-and Rescue situations, where it 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
TM
feature using the command appropriate for their radio. Alert ringers may be
activated, if desired.
Whenever you push the
PTT
, or every 25 (or 15) seconds after
ARTS
TM
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 RNG
” as opposed to the out of range
display “
OUTRNG
” in which ARTS
TM
operation begins.
Whether you talk or not, the polling every 15 or 25 seconds will
continue until you de-activate ARTS
TM
. Every 10 minutes, more-
over, you can have your radio transmit your callsign via CW, to comply with identifica-
tion requirements. When ARTS
TM
is de-activated, DCS will also be deactivated (if you
were not using it previously in non-ARTS
TM
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
“
OUTRNG
”. If you move back into range, your radio will again beep, and the display will
change back to the “
IN RNG
” indication.
During ARTS
TM
operation, your operating frequency will continue to be displayed, but no
changes may be made to it or other settings; you must terminate ARTS
TM
in order to
resume normal operation. This is a safety feature designed to prevent accidental loss of
contact due to channel change, etc.
ARTS
TM
(
A
UTOMATIC
R
ANGE
T
RANSPONDER
S
YSTEM
)