This information is especially important for any user who might serve as a medical helicopter landing zone coordinator, or who uses conventional channels for any other purpose. The most commonly used example of conventional channels in BRICS radios are the 800MHz national mutual aid channels found in Zone C (e.g. 8 TAC 92D).
The “Talk Permit” Tone
On trunking system talkgroups. our radios have always had a “talk permit” tone – that is, the chirp noise that you must wait for before speaking. It’s purpose is to tell you that you’ve successfully reached the system and can begin your message.
BRICS radios now produce a talk permit tone on conventional channels too, although it is longer and sounds a bit different than the one heard for trunking talkgroups. Behind the scenes, your radios is transmitting an identifier, and the beep is telling you to wait to talk until the identifier is finished, much like on a talkgroup.
The tone has introduced some confusion, with users thinking that it was a busy signal or some other indication of a failure. It’s not! Just wait for the tone to finish, and go ahead with your message. Grab two radios, put them both on 8 TAC 93D (Zone C, Channel 13) and try it out!
Video with audio so you can hear the tone:
Conventional Talk Permit Tone (.MOV file)
Learn more about conventional mutual aid channels.
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