MT. GRAHAM INTERNATIONAL OBSERVATORY

RADIO INSTRUCTIONS

December, 2003

Following are instructions for all MGIO radio users:

1. Make sure that the radio is turned on and you have selected channel #1 (MGIO radio repeater, located on Heliograph Peak) or channel #2 (bypassing the repeater).  Do not use any other channels except in an emergency.  The listing of channels is on the bottom of this sheet as well as radio call numbers for MGIO, SMTO, VATT and LBT.
2. On Motorola Radios:  The small toggle switch (scan switch) on the top of the hand-held radio should be to the left for normal operation.
3. When you arrive at the bottom of the access road you will need to call up for traffic clearance. Example follows:

“Is there any downhill traffic on the access road?”  If there is no response you then say  “one vehicle (or however many) proceeding up the access road.”  You would use the same text for going downhill, but ask for uphill traffic, then alert that you are proceeding down.  Be aware that there may still be traffic on the access road.  Drive with caution.

During winter when snow plowing is in progress, ADOT will have the road blocked.  You may want to place your radio in scan mode.  Switch to ADOT’s repeater frequency (channel 6) and advise ADOT Dispatch that you are at the snow closure gate.  They will send a person to open the gate and escort you through the snow plow closure area.  If you can’t get through to ADOT call down to the Safford base camp (Unit 30), and as time allows they will alert ADOT for you.  After contacting ADOT dispatch, be sure to return your radio to channel 1 to monitor MGIO radio traffic.  ADOT also has the MGIO frequencies on their radios but may not be monitoring the MGIO channel.  During snow plowing operations, when you leave the MGIO site or pass through the gate at the end of the pavement, please notify MGIO personnel alerting them that you are moving through the unpaved section of roadway.

RADIO UNIT NUMBERS:

CHANNEL#   ASSIGNED TO:  

1. MGIO Repeater (Heliograph Peak) 
2. MGIO Repeater Bypass  
3. MGIO Simplex Communications 
4. Graham County Sheriff #1  
5. Graham County Sheriff#2 (Heliograph)
6. ADOT Repeater (Heliograph)
7. ADOT, Simplex Communications
8. USFS Repeater Net (Heliograph Peak)
9. USFS Repeater Net (West Peak)
10. USFS Limited Range
11. USFS Air to Ground
12. Kitt Peak National Obs (Mtn)
13. FLWO Repeater (Tucson Base)
14. FLWO Repeater (SAO Ops)
15. State (Arizona Emergency)
16. USA (National Emergency)
17. Weather Information
18. Rural Metro Ambulance

Radio System Unit Assignments

Revised   03/21/06