57 replies to this topic

[Northern Monkey]

I know - that was me being sarcastic!

[Lord Vader]

I had a brief play with one of the new airwave sets when I nipped into my old nick yesterday. Look pretty neat but they are big and chunky, however they're about a third of the weight of the old analogue radios and apparently the quality is A1.

Regarding rollout, A Division is supposedly first with the rest of the county to follow by the end of the year. I think... others may have more up-to-date info than me of course

[Whopper MacBig]

I'd heard that if you stand a set next to a mug of coffee or a pastie and press TRANSMIT you can heat the thing up by 20 degrees. Repeat as above until piping hot etc.

[Sailor]

So, has A gone live yet??

[Northern Monkey]

Today is the day... had our training last night. Has anyone figured out the ear pieces?!

[dabba]

The earpiece is confusing until you realise that it is plugged in.
Pull it hard (the lead as it enters the earpiece) and then you can stick it the rubber grommet and then inside the ear thing (big or small). the little plastic jobbie on the speaker can be pulled off and fitted to the covert one or the silver one.
Great fun, its like the krypton factor all over again.

I just re-read this and its full of alternate meanings :-)

Edited by dabba, 18 April 2004 - 09:41 PM.

[Sailor]

I've broken one of the clear plastic connecty thingy mingies already...

The instructions are absolutely useless!

[dabba]

I've broken one of the clear plastic connecty thingy mingies already...

The instructions are absolutely useless!

hmm, i only got one clear plastic plug jobbie, it was attached to the black earpiece.
Or are you refering to the covert tubes?

Edited by dabba, 18 April 2004 - 10:56 PM.

[Sailor]

hmm, i only got one clear plastic plug jobbie, it was attached to the black earpiece.
Or are you refering to the covert tubes?

Yeah, the one attached to the black earpiece.. Somehow, I decided it'd be a good idea to take it out and attach it to something else..

[Raych]

ive not played with mine yet, other than turned it on and found out it doesnt work in dorset!! If u cant work the ear piece what hope is there for me sailor!!

[Northern Monkey]

The earpiece is confusing until you realise that it is plugged in.
Pull it hard (the lead as it enters the earpiece) and then you can stick it the rubber grommet and then inside the ear thing (big or small). the little plastic jobbie on the speaker can be pulled off and fitted to the covert one or the silver one.
Great fun, its like the krypton factor all over again.

I just re-read this and its full of alternate meanings :-)

Much clearer, thank you!

[Surrey5828]

On A division, we have been using the airwave sets for a couple of weeks now, but are still carrying the old analogue sets as well. If you are operating on a local borough talkgroup, you will potentially not hear about a fight or other incident that could be happening just around the corner. Also, trying to get a PNC check when you are using airwave is nigh on impossible. The airwave sets themselves are great, but the way the talkgroups are set up is unbelievably bad.

[Raych]

i dread the day C div go live all those buttons. the only thing i really remeber is not to press the orange one unless im in deep do do!

[Northern Monkey]

That's easier said than done though Raych, as it is in a ridiculous place! You have to be really careful when you are putting your airwave into the holder.

I am yet to do a duty when they are working properly the whole night and I know that in the first couple of weeks of them going live there were a couple of issues with officer safety. Teething problems I am sure, still that's a bit of a worry.

[Donkey]

I wouldn't count on it NM... two and a half years later and we're still having nights when we're sat in the station and being dispatched by 'phone...

[Northern Monkey]

Oh well - ever the optimist. So Surrey are still going to be going out with an airwave and a PR then? I believe that's what BTP do as well.

[Mark 5854]

On A division, we have been using the airwave sets for a couple of weeks now, but are still carrying the old analogue sets as well. If you are operating on a local borough talkgroup, you will potentially not hear about a fight or other incident that could be happening just around the corner. Also, trying to get a PNC check when you are using airwave is nigh on impossible. The airwave sets themselves are great, but the way the talkgroups are set up is unbelievably bad.

Once things settle down it isn't too bad. The way the talkgroups have been setup doesn't really make sense until TPT go live as well then all talkgroups are being used. Having both analogue and airwave running has shown some floors, but these will I hope be temporary as the IHC as having to monitor lots of channels, plus callbacks etc.

Without discussing too much operation information lets just say wait and see when 100% of officers are running with it.

[Bubba]

On A division, we have been using the airwave sets for a couple of weeks now, but are still carrying the old analogue sets as well. If you are operating on a local borough talkgroup, you will potentially not hear about a fight or other incident that could be happening just around the corner. Also, trying to get a PNC check when you are using airwave is nigh on impossible. The airwave sets themselves are great, but the way the talkgroups are set up is unbelievably bad.

We raised this issue in our training session the other week. If I'm around the corner, on a routine enquiry, what happens if something happens to me ? The IHC won't know where I am, as I can't talk to them via my handset. The answer was, you press your red button... I then have 10 seconds to tell the IHC what is happening, along with where I am. I see this as a big health and safety issue.

The other side is, another officer, also on airwave's is in the next street to me, I'm getting a kicking and shouting for assistance, but the other Officer won't know this, as he/she may not be on the same talkgroup as me. The IHC won't patch him into my talkgroup, as they won't know he is near me.

I mentioned taking a PR out with me aswell, but was told that they will not respond to me, as I am supposed to now be using an Airwave handset.

The reason behind this, is "Community Policing". I have my job to do and TPT have their job to do, there is no need for me to get involved in TPT work. If they feel that I can help, or need to know about a situation, then they can pacth me in.

I still don't fully understand why we are doing things this way, I took the same oath as every other Police Officer and even though my role maybe be different, my job is exactly the same.

I have helped out TPT on several ocassions whilst I have been on enquiries. I also know of DCIT Officers who have jumped in whatever car is available in the car park, to go to the assistance of someone in trouble, this will not happen anymore.

[Michael]

I hear what your saying batfink,

I've been away for about six weeks and have just come back. No one told me that we'd finally changed to airwave. I arranged a duty and then thought....oops. I gave my radio in before I went away as I know there was a shortage.

I ask where the pool is only to be told that there is non as we've switched to airwave and I can't have mine until I've had the training. The next date id 15th June.

Well I had arranged a duty by then and went out on Friday night. It was cleared by a sarg'nt and I borrowed an analogue radio. I signed on as usual and simply explained to control that I didn't have an airwave set; they responded as normal and where fine. It was also useful to be able to hear what TPT where up to as I was with borough.

I suspect that most the issues are simply temporary until everyone has airwave. Control will certainly respond if you use analogue when you shouldn't be using one; they'd be silly not to but you should be with an officer with airwave if you do this and are not on tpt. I just can't believe that no one told me of the change whilst I was away.

Anyhow the airwave has superb reception comparaed to analogue in the area I was working in so got to be good.

[Sailor]

Well, I've broken mine already. Going through the whole palava of secret lockers with secret combinations etc...

[Raych]

oops! WE dont get lockers for ours!

[Tom5901]

no we were told Surrey has purchased the fantasticola option and we have coverage everywhere in the county. There is a cheaper option which i beleive i what TVP have that only works in some towns and not in the old hamlets that some countys have but we dont have that!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dont you belive it! There are quite a few areas just in my borough, never mind the division (A), where you cant get a signal. I mean, you cant even get a signal in one of the local nic's!!!!!!

4 months after the supposed go live date - surprise surprise, we are still using PR's. Airwave just to talk to each other - useful though.

Any areas you find where there is no signal or poor signal - email the airwave implementation team and let them know, christ knows how many emails we have sent!!!!

[dabba]

http://www.lowe.co.u...ccessories.html

for extra bits

Does any force out there use the Klick fast system on their new radios, and how effective is it ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Whats Klick fast, our new airwave terminals click into plastic holders.

[Tom5901]

Anyone know if you can get "fly mic's" for airwave like the PR's???

I dont like using the ear piece ones (like a mobile phone hands free) as it restricts your hearing and is uncomfortable after being in your ear for a few hours! :sad:

I have had a look around a few websites but cant find anything at the moment.

[45D5177]

http://www.lowe.co.u...ccessories.html

for extra bits

Does any force out there use the Klick fast system on their new radios, and how effective is it ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, Surrey use Klickfast (or a derivative). Our new stab vests have the klickfast attachments on them already. Apparently there are belt attachments and also attachments for shirts (which clip on). The radios (Motorola) have clips that you can put on/take off so they can be put into handsfree kits or a pouch.