VFBV

Members would be aware from previous updates, that VFBV has been requesting that CFA provide an update for the Uniden Scanners (Listening Sets) that will update the scanners with all the new CFA/DELWP radio channel mapping, talk groups and fireground channels.

Due to the high number of changes, VFBV requested if this update could be rolled into a firmware update that is required to update the scanners to overcome the ‘super grouping’ issue that was identified last year, to save members having to do multiple updates. Last year’s outage resulted in all scanners ‘going quiet’ for a couple of days when a proprietary P25 ‘super group’ codec was unexpectedly rolled out to the network last year. 

We are pleased to report that CFA has worked with Uniden to release a patch that will update the firmware and includes all the new CFA/DELWP channel mapping.

A summary of the changes available by installing the patch are:

1. Upgraded Firmware to enable the use of Supergrouping of the RMR Network.
2. Added new RMR sites serving Districts 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 17 & 27.
3. Added the RMR Fire Ground Talkgroups to Districts 7, 8, 13 & 14.
4. Updated RMR Site Control Frequencies that were changed.
5. Added new CFA Incident Management Channels (IMC's) including recent channel changes.
6. Removed the CFA RMR Command & Control groups from each District profile as these are not current.
7. Removed the Analogue channel numbers from all the CFA Channel Names.
8. Added NAC's to initial local District Fireground channels.
9. Updated the DEWLP Incident Channels for each District to reflect the P25 upgrade of DELWP Incident Channels.
10. Updated the DEWLP Fire Ground Channels for each District.

This patch can be downloaded from here: https://www.uniden.com.au/product/ubcd436pt-au/#1508302157496-9588945a-630b 

Full instructions and a step-by step guide to downloading the software can be found at the bottom of this page, called "Uniden Software Download Instructions" as well as a guide to updating the Scanner. 

VFBV delegates to the Joint Communications and Technology Committee have congratulated CFA on the simple method for the update and thanked both CFA representatives and Uniden for their combined efforts, which has resulted in a positive outcome for members.

CFA advise members they need to apply the update prior to November 1st in order to coincide with planned network updates.

In other but related news, CFA has advised VFBV that its contract with the Australian supplier for the discounted Uniden Scanners has now ended, and CFA will not be accepting any further orders. Any additional sets will now need to be sourced by members locally. VFBV has advised CFA that there is likely to be renewed interest in additional sets with the forthcoming digital rollout of CFA digital comms to the outer metropolitan areas (District 7, 8, 13 and 14), and we will continue to monitor interest levels for additional subsidy programs in the future. Since the joint Digital Scanner initiative was announced by CFA and VFBV back in 2015, we are pleased to report that over 11,000 digital scanners have been distributed across 970 Brigades and 80 Groups, closing a hugely successful and collaborative approach between the two organisations.