Put simply, where a conventional system is limited by the number of users calling on its capacity at the same time, a

trunked system allows you to create virtually unlimited users groups and provides the most efficient use of the radio
frequencies and channels allocated to a system.

When you place a call on a trunked system, a channel is allocated to all participants, once the call is completed, the
channel is returned to the pool for other users. This sharing of the channel capacity increases the availability of the
system to all radio users, maximising availability, especially important at times of peak utilisation.
A trunked radio system is configured on the basis that with any given number of users, not all of them will require
channel access at the same time, so fewer individual radio channels are required, providing a number of benefits
including savings in the cost of channel licences, the ability to accommodate more users and user groups, the
flexibility to configure access between user groups, increased security against eavesdropping and not least, increased
availability of the system at all times.

How does a trunked two-way radio system work?

Where conventional two-way radio communications take place on one frequency a trunked system employs multiple
frequencies and is able to scan all the frequencies used in the network to prioritise and allocate availability.

A database lies at the heart of a trunked radio system where it controls access to talk groups and the rules applied to
individual users and groups at all times. Typically, at least one frequency will be assigned as a control channel to
manage the hand-portable or mobile in-vehicle radios telling them which frequency to monitor for incoming and
outgoing transmissions.

When a user makes a call by depressing the Push-To-Talk (PTT) button on their handset, the control channel will
automatically find and allocate a free channel and send a message to the radio units involved in the talk group
instructing them to change to the free channel. This means a conversation can take place via any available channel
rather having to wait for a particular channel to be available.

The control channel is a vital instrument in the seamless management of a trunked radio system, ensuring seamless
operation in all situations. It can be used to transmit small data messages between radios even if all other channels
are occupied and it provides pre-emptive call handling to ensure radio access in case of emergencies.

When renewing your analogue trunked radio system or upgrading to a digital trunked system, you should specify it
to include a dedicated control channel which offers better resilience and the ability to send messages even in the
event of equipment failure.
What equipment is required for a trunked digital two-way radio system?

In its most basic form, a digital trunked radio system will comprise of:

- A PC (system manager) to manage and configure the systems' software and network operation (this is only
required for configuration).
- An Ethernet Switch link to a base station repeater.
- Base Units (Up to 30 in per site).
- An antenna system to provide radio coverage.
- Hand portable walkie-talkie and/or in-vehicle mobile units deployed in the field.

Systems requiring more channels (more user groups) will feature additional base units/repeaters or where increased
range is required, for example in a regional, national or international network, the system manager could be fixed to
an IP connection to link up to 48 digital trunked sites together for wide area roaming and calling capabilities. There
are many companies specialising in the design and installation of bespoke private digital two-way radio networks,
you can find them by clicking on this link.

Advantages of NEXEDGE® trunked digital two-way radio systems

The Kenwood NEXEDGE® trunked digital radio system provides all the benefits of a generic digital trunked
system including increased capacity, enhanced call capabilities, improved security and faster communications over
conventional systems, but it also offers a number of unique advantages:

- The ability to configure up to 3,000 Unit and Group IDs per network provides ample unit and fleet
organisation capability. Both group and individual calls enjoy complete privacy as other users in the system
cannot monitor the calls unless they are within the talk group.

- A NEXEDGE® trunked digital system may be set up to provide:

- peer-to-peer private speech calls (individual calls)
- multiple talk group calls (radios can be designated as members of individual or
multiple talk groups)
- fleet calls to communicate with all radios on a network
- priority calling
- radio-to-telephone (PSTN/PABX)
- telephone (PSTN/PABX)-to-radio
- pre-emptive emergency calls
- automatically queuing in the unlikely event that the network is busy on a first come
first serve or assigned priority basis
- call back capability to connect to people missed calls
- sending of pre-programmed status messages (e.g. passenger onboard, arrived on
site, area clear etc)

• A 'Priority Monitor' feature will monitor up to 4 high priority talk groups and switch users to those calls
in progress to ensure that important calls are not missed, while during peak usage hours, the system's
 Call Queuing feature stacks call requests and processes them the instant capacity becomes available.
System operators can assign important individuals higher queue priority and even pre-empt lower
priority users for more important dispatch and emergency calls.

• NEXEDGE® extends the life of current radio system assets. All NXDN® digital radio models use the
same Class power amplifiers and site management equipment used for current analogue stations,
ensuring return on investment (ROI) and a multitude of supplier choices. Current analogue and NXDN®
digital fleets can share a NEXEDGE® base/repeater station in 12.5 kHz conventional "Mixed Mode,"
which provides uninterrupted service as long as needed and a straightforward migration path to the
benefits of a full digital system. NEXEDGE® trunked traffic channels can be shared with existing external
analog conventional or trunked logic controllers, extending service to fleets as a transition to NXDN®
trunking is underway.

• NEXEDGE® trunked networks are fully scalable to accommodate larger numbers of talk groups spread over
wide areas across multiple sites (local, regional, national and international) through the use of base stations,
repeaters and IP connectivity.

• NEXEDGE® multi-site network operators can automatically validate individual subscriber radio hardware by
ESN (a unique factory-embedded Electronic Serial Number ) rather than changing the system's unit and
group ID lists in the event a unit is lost, stolen, or removed permanently or temporarily from service.

• The NEXEDGE® System Manager for NXDN® trunked sites and networks reduces operational and
maintenance costs with remote terminal programming, infrastructure firmware uploading, subscriber unit
privileging, monitoring and diagnostics capabilities all from a secure user-friendly Windows® based
application via direct connection, dial up modem, or IP connection.

• NEXEDGE® digital two way radios can provide voice, data and tracking on the same network at the same
time allowing you to monitor staff movements and deploy resources effectively.

• NEXEDGE® digital two way radios can be programmed for both “Emergency” mode (push a pre-
programmed key to transmit a data alert message) 'Man Down' and “Lone Worker” mode (where the radio
automatically transmits an alert if it isn’t used within a preset period), giving your staff confidence in
challenging situations knowing there will be backup at hand.

• NEXEDGE® digital two way radios operate in 25 and 12.5 kHz analogue and 12.5 & 6.25 kHz NXDN®
digital modes. With radio spectrum becoming a scarce resource, you should invest in a true spectrum
efficient 6.25kHz digital radio system. A NEXEDGE® digital system that can be scaled from a small single
channel system to a nationwide trunked radio system, offers true 6.25 kHz efficiency (not just 6.25kHz
equivalent) and control channel facilities.