PSD Radio Communications and Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a unit requests a radio check, the dispatcher should respond with information about the signal quality using which standard scale?
- The Beaufort scale
- The APCO signal strength scale from 1 to 5 (Correct answer)
- The decibel rating in dB
- A simple yes or no confirmation
Correct answer: The APCO signal strength scale from 1 to 5
APCO uses a 1–5 signal strength scale where 1 is unreadable and 5 is perfectly clear.
Question 2: A dispatcher hears a transmission that begins mid-sentence and is unintelligible. The best immediate action is to:
- Ignore it and wait for the unit to call again
- Transmit 'Unknown unit, please repeat your transmission' (Correct answer)
- Broadcast on all channels that a unit is trying to contact dispatch
- Log the event and take no action
Correct answer: Transmit 'Unknown unit, please repeat your transmission'
Asking an unknown unit to repeat ensures the potentially critical message is received.
Question 3: Which practice is considered improper radio procedure during emergency traffic?
- Acknowledging receipt of every transmission with your unit identifier
- Keeping transmissions brief and to the point
- Using unnecessary chit-chat to reassure the caller (Correct answer)
- Stating your unit ID at the beginning of each transmission
Correct answer: Using unnecessary chit-chat to reassure the caller
Unnecessary conversation during emergency traffic wastes airtime and can block critical communications.
Question 4: What does the term 'trunked radio system' mean in public safety communications?
- A system where all units share one dedicated, never-changing frequency
- A system that automatically assigns available channels from a pool as needed (Correct answer)
- A system that connects radio to the telephone network only
- A backup system activated only during disasters
Correct answer: A system that automatically assigns available channels from a pool as needed
Trunked systems dynamically allocate channels from a pool, improving efficiency over a fixed single-channel setup.
Question 5: A dispatcher must relay a message from one unit to another that is not monitoring the same channel. The correct procedure is to:
- Ask the sending unit to switch to the receiving unit's channel
- Relay the message verbatim to the receiving unit on their assigned channel (Correct answer)
- Have both units meet in person to exchange the information
- Refuse to relay messages between units
Correct answer: Relay the message verbatim to the receiving unit on their assigned channel
Dispatchers serve as communication bridges and should relay messages accurately between units on different channels.
Question 6: The FCC requires public safety radio users to identify their station at what minimum interval during extended transmissions?
- Every 5 minutes
- Every 10 minutes (Correct answer)
- Every 15 minutes
- Every 30 minutes
Correct answer: Every 10 minutes
FCC regulations require station identification at least every 10 minutes during and at the end of each communication.
Question 7: When a dispatcher uses the phrase 'stand by' during a radio transmission, it means:
- The unit should cease all activity immediately
- The dispatcher needs a moment before responding and will return to the unit (Correct answer)
- The unit's request is denied
- The unit should switch to an alternate channel
Correct answer: The dispatcher needs a moment before responding and will return to the unit
'Stand by' signals that the dispatcher has received the message and will respond shortly.
PSD Radio Communications and Procedures 2
When a unit requests a radio check, the dispatcher should respond with information about the signal quality using which standard scale?