Using the IP2 LCD Interface
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All TCB-IP2 models can be configured using the RCI (Remote Control Interface) software that is included on CD and can be downloaded free from TCB-IP2 Software Updates. RCI provides control of all of the IP2 settings needed for radio interfacing, network configuration, Verizon PTT control and more. If a computer is available, it is the easiest way to configure the IP2. The computer needs to be connected to the IP2 using a serial cable (or USB-to-serial adapter) or through an Ethernet network.
Some models of the TCB-IP2 (such as the TCB-IP2dv used for Verizon PTT interfacing) include an LCD display and adjuster knob (picture here) that can be used to monitor and control some common settings (including network configuration and Verizon PTT control, but not radio interfacing). This document describes how to use that interface.
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[edit] Basic Settings
The IP2v is commonly used to provide a bridge between an LMR radio channel and a Verizon PTT talk group. Once things are initially set up, there are only two basic settings that typically need changed, the selected contact and whether the patch is enabled or not.
[edit] Select Contact
The initial screen looks something like this:
Contact: 6 PoC#: 1234567890 John Smith
Turning the knob selects a contact from the internally-stored contact list. When the patch is enabled between the LMR radio port and the Verizon PTT phone inside the IP2v and the LMR radio receives a signal, a PTT call will be placed to the selected contact.
The contact type can be either individual (called using a 10-digit phone number) or group (called using the PTT group name). Individual contacts are indicated by a "#" sign after the "PoC" on the second line of the display.
[edit] Patch Enable / Disable
Internally, the IP2v connects the LMR radio and Verizon PTT phone by setting up a "patch" between the two systems. That patch can be enabled or disabled by pressing the "Patch" button on the front of the IP2v. After the patch button is pressed, the LCD display will show whether the patch is enabled or disabled for a few seconds. On some units, the patch button will also light up when the patch is enabled.
[edit] Initial Setup
When the IP2v is initially installed, some settings may need to be changed to configure the contact list, set up the LMR radio, and (optionally) configure the network interface.
To access the setup screens from the "Select Contact" screen described above, press and hold the knob for at least one second. It will then display a help screen. Press the knob again (quickly, don't hold it) to advance to the next screen. The first several screens are help screens, with the text shown below:
- Help: Push adjuster to select what to edit
- Help: Hold adjuster to begin editing
- Help: Turn adjuster to change setting
- Help: When done editing a setting, hold the adjuster
[edit] Network Settings
The IP2v has an Ethernet jack that can be used to connect it to a network. Such a network connection is often not needed for basic operation, but can be used for:
- Dispatch using the optional LinkTDS software (see http://www.link-comm.com/index.php/site/tds/).
- Management using the RCI software described at the beginning of this document.
- VoIP/RoIP, to patch radios from multiple IP2/IP2v bridges to each other.
If the network connection is not needed, these screens can be skipped. Even if a network connection is needed, in many cases it will be set up automatically (using DHCP to retrieve setup information from an existing router on the network) by just connecting an Ethernet cable before powering up the IP2v. In that case, the first network screen will look something like this:
Network Set up by DHCP 192.168.0.12
Note that the second line ("Set up by DHCP") indicates that it was able to obtain network setup information automatically and the third line ("192.168.0.12" in this example) is the IP address that it was assigned.
If the TCB-IP2v attempted to use DHCP to automatically obtain network setup information but was unsuccessful, it will display the following:
Network DHCP failed-check cable and reset
If the network settings need to be changed, press and hold the knob for at least one second, until the display changes to:
Network Set up by DHCP (save and reset)
Note that "by DHCP" will be displayed highlighted (in reverse video) to indicate that the setting can be changed by turning the knob. In this case, turning the knob to the right will change it to "Set up manually" and turning it left will change it to "Set up by DHCP".
To continue with manual setup, press the knob quickly (do not hold it) to select the next editable field, the IP address. Turn the knob to adjust the first digit, then press it quickly again to select the next digit. Repeat for each digit until the entire IP address has been entered. The screen should look something like this:
Network Set up by DHCP 192.168.0.12
Then press and hold the knob for at least a second, until the highlight disappears. If further changes are needed (such as to correct a mistake), press and hold the knob to get back into edit mode (with a highlighted area). Otherwise, press and release the knob quickly to continue to the next screen.
The second network screen typically looks something like this:
Network NM 255.255.255.0 GW 192.168.0.1
Those netmask and gateway settings usually default to usable values and do not need to be changed. If they do need to be changed, hold the knob for a second or more and edit them in the same way as the IP address on the previous screen. Otherwise, press and release the knob quickly to continue to the next screen.
If the network settings changed, the IP2v will need to restart to apply the changes. In that case, the next screen displayed will be:
Network Settings changed. Save and reset
Just press and release the knob to save settings and reset (or turn the knob left and press it to "Cancel" and discard the changes to the network settings).
[edit] Contrast
Contrast: 205
This screen provides a way to adjust the contrast of the LCD display. To change it, press and hold the knob until the number is highlighted (shown in reverse video). Then turn the knob to change the value. When finished, press and hold the knob until the highlight disappears. Then press the knob quickly to go to the next screen.
Note that all changes to settings (except for the network settings) take effect immediately, but will not be restored after the power to the IP2v is cycled unless they are first saved, as described below.
[edit] Resource Selection
P1 Resource: Not controllable
This screen can be used to select the type of device that is interfaced to the LMR radio connector (also called "Port 1" or "P1") on the IP2v. In most cases the default setting of "Not controllable" is OK. It can be changed using the same method as the Contrast screen, as described above. When finished, press and release the knob quickly to proceed to the next screen.
P2 Resource: Motorola V750 (MDN: 1234567890)
This screen can be used to select the type of device connected to port 2 ("P2"). The IP2v typically has a "donor" cell phone inside the case. The type of phone (V750, V860, etc) should be selected and displayed on the second line.
The third line displays the status of the phone. Each time the IP2v starts up, it sends a sequence of commands to the phone to ensure that it is ready for operation (power down, power up, register with PTT system, etc.). This takes a couple of minutes. During that time, the third line will indicate what command is being processed. When it is finished and the phone is ready, the MDN of the phone will be displayed. Note that the MDN is the phone number of the bridge phone, to which PTT calls can be placed to access the LMR bridge.
[edit] Editing Contacts
For information about editing contacts using a computer, see Setting Up Verizon PTT Contacts.
Contact: 6 PoC#: 1234567890 John Smith
This screen looks similar to the "Select Contact" screen described at the beginning of this document, but rather than being used to select a contact to call, it is used to set up contacts. Just as with previous screens, press and hold the knob to edit, press it quickly to advance to the next editable item, press and hold when finished editing. To set up an individual contact, enter exactly ten digits; otherwise the contact will be treated as a group contact.
Note that group contact names must also be set up in the phone, either through the phone's own keypad or by using Verizon's Enterprise PTT service. The group name entered on this screen must either exactly match the group name in the phone, or at least match enough of the beginning of the group name that only one of the group names in the phone will match. For example, a group name of "TEST" entered on this screen will work to access the group named "TESTGRP" in the phone as long as there are no other groups in the phone with names that begin with "TEST".
The third line ("John Smith" in this example) is just a description for the contact. It does not have to be set, although it is often useful when selecting among multiple contacts.
[edit] Save Settings
When the settings are changed as described above, they take effect immediately (except for the network settings) but will not be restored after the IP2v resets (such as after the power is cycled) unless those settings have been saved. This screen provides a way to do that.
Save Settings? No
Press and hold the knob to highlight the "No", turn the knob to the right to change the setting to "Yes", then press and hold the knob again. It will display
Saving...
for a few seconds.
[edit] Save and Reset
Save and Reset? No
This screen is similar to the previous one, except that after saving settings, the IP2v resets itself. This causes it to cycle power to the donor phone and check that everything is set up correctly. It may be helpful when troubleshooting, but should not normally be necessary.
Press and release the knob quickly to continue back to the "Select Contact" screen described first in this document.
