ANAD Radio shop provides key communication tools

By Danny Thornton, ANAD DOIMFebruary 27, 2014

ANAD Radio shop provides key communication tools
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Land Mobile Radios provide an essential communications service to a wide variety of users at Anniston Army Depot.

The most familiar users of LMRs are the first responders -- security, the fire department and medical personnel. However, first responders actually make up only a small number of radio users. Radios are used extensively by the Directorate of Public Works, the Defense Logistics Agency, the Anniston Munitions Center, the Directorate of Production, the Directorate of Community and Family Activities and many others.

The depot employs a trunked radio system, a telecommunications system which provides the ability to send and receive voice and information in a highly efficient and cost-effective manner. Simply put, trunking permits a large number of users to share a relatively small number of communication paths - or trunks.

Our trunk system consists of a master site, three repeater sites (two on depot and one off-depot), four dispatch console sites, a central recorder site and an Internet protocol network to connect all the sites.

The trunked radio system, like all Department of Defense telecommunications systems, is intended to be used for official business only. It is subject to monitoring at all times and use of the system constitutes consent to monitoring. DO NOT discuss classified information on the radio at any time.

There are more than 1,300 subscribers (individual radios) active on the radio trunk system.

Some of the benefits of the radio system are:

• Vital services, such as the Giant Voice and fire alarms are transmitted via radio.

• The 800 MHz radios provide first responders with the means to request and coordinate mutual aid from local fire, medical and law enforcement agencies.

The Directorate of Information Management's Land Mobile Radio Shop has installed mobile radios in vehicles ranging from the overhead cranes in the Combat Vehicle Repair Facility to railroad locomotives.

Sometimes, Radio Shop customers have specific requirements which radios on the trunk system cannot meet. The shop recently modified the helmets for test track drivers to provide radio communications between drivers on the track and the track controller to prevent accidents.

Managers in some of our production facilities use intercom radios during guided tours for visiting groups and VIPs.

LOST OR STOLEN RADIOS

If a radio is lost, report it to the Directorate of Information Management LMR shop at Ext. 6858 immediately, so it can be disabled until recovered. If a radio is stolen, report it to the Directorate of Emergency Services and the DOIM LMR shop, so the radio can be placed in an inhibited mode.

RADIO MAINENANCE

Only the LMR shop or approved contractor is authorized to perform maintenance on LMR equipment. No user or any other person should attempt to repair, relocate or tamper with LMR equipment.

Such actions may be considered equipment abuse, thereby voiding all contractor maintenance responsibilities and resulting in the owning unit being held financially liable for repair of the damaged equipment.

SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT

The use of any radio frequency emitter must be authorized by the ANAD Spectrum Manager. Coordinate any planned purchases of radio frequency equipment with the spectrum manager to avoid any potential problems. Danny Thornton, the depot's spectrum manager, can be reached at Ext. 6858.

In addition to maintaining the trunked radio system, the LMR shop also installs and maintains in-building public address systems, provides portable PA system support for indoor and outdoor events, maintains the depot's Highway Advisory Radio system (AM 1610) and provides installation and maintenance for overhead projector systems. Contact the LMR shop at Ext. 6858 if you have requirements or need service in any of these areas.