GroupTalk Full Duplex, Group Locking and Patching

Simultaneous Communication Without Pressing the PTT Button

In a Full Duplex Talk Group, all participants can speak and hear each other simultaneously without the need to press the Push-to-Talk (PTT) button. Full Duplex functions like a traditional phone conference call with an open microphone.

This feature is ideal for situations where hands-free group communication is essential—for example, crane operators or when manoeuvring an aircraft into a hangar. A Full Duplex group is easily identified in the list of PTT groups by an icon featuring a phone and half a globe.

GroupTalk supports Full Duplex communication on both Android and iOS apps, as well as on PC Dispatch.

Practical Notes:

• Time Limit Setting: There is a time limit setting for Full Duplex Groups in the admin panel. We recommend setting it to a maximum of 60 minutes. Users who remain in the group beyond this limit will be automatically disconnected to avoid unnecessary costs (there is a per-minute, per-user charge for the Full Duplex service).
• Priority Levels: By default, a Full Duplex Group has Normal priority. If you're scanning a PTT Group, that group must have a higher priority than Normal (such as High or Emergency) for it to be heard within the Full Duplex Group.
• Scanning Limitations: It is not possible to scan a Full Duplex group.
• Cost Considerations: There is no charge to enable Full Duplex Groups in the GroupTalk web admin. However, there is a per-user, per-minute cost for the duration that users are connected to a Full Duplex Group.
• Recording: Currently, Full Duplex does not support voice recording.

Control Access to PTT Groups with Dispatcher Locking

The Group Locking feature allows Dispatchers to lock PTT groups, preventing users from joining those groups.

This is particularly useful when an organisation prefers that mobile users do not communicate in a PTT Group without a Dispatcher's presence. It gives the Dispatcher control over which groups are open for communication and which are locked.

The locking feature can also be part of your operational procedures. For instance, during an incident at your workplace, a Dispatcher can unlock a specific PTT Group designated for such situations and instruct users to join it. This group remains locked under normal circumstances and is only opened when needed. In the Dispatcher interface, the lock icon indicates whether a group is open or closed.

Key Points:

• Availability: The Group Locking feature is available to all GroupTalk administrators and is included in the service at no extra cost.
• User Removal: When a group is locked, no users can be in it. If users are already in the group when it's locked, they will be automatically removed.
• Activation: Group locking is activated in the GroupTalk admin panel under PTT Groups > [Choose Your Group] > Locking Function.
• Control: Once enabled, only the Dispatcher can unlock or lock the group.
• Icons: In the GroupTalk PC Dispatcher, both lock icons (open and closed) are visible. Mobile users will see the closed lock icon when a group cannot be joined. If no lock icon is displayed, the group is open.

Link Multiple PTT Groups Together for Seamless Communication

Patching allows a Dispatcher to link two or more PTT Groups, enabling users from different groups to communicate with each other.

Features:

• Cost-Free: This feature is available to all Dispatchers and is included in the GroupTalk service at no extra cost.
• Creating a Patch: Dispatchers can create a patch by clicking the plus icon in the menu bar, similar to adding more panels. Each patch is assigned a unique colour to differentiate between multiple patches. Dispatchers can also rename patches for clarity.
• Group Limitations: A group can only be part of one patch at a time. Please note that only PTT Groups can be patched; Full Duplex groups cannot be patched.
• Ownership and Visibility: Patches are owned by the Dispatcher who created them. All Dispatchers within an organisation can see each other's patches. By clicking the blue link icon next to a group's name, you can view information about the patch, including its creator, creation date, and included groups. Dispatchers can also break patches to free up PTT groups.
• Capacity: Each Dispatcher can add between 2 and 8 PTT groups to a patch and can have up to 8 patches active simultaneously. Dispatchers can patch any groups they have access to, including shared groups from other organisations if available.

Use Case Example:

When an organisation collaborates across different regions, and teams move across boundaries, a Dispatcher can patch together the necessary groups to facilitate communication. Mobile users do not need to make any changes when included in a patch; the patched group appears as a user in their group, and a link icon is visible on their mobile screen.

Note:

• Duration: A patch is not time-limited. If the Dispatcher who created the patch goes offline, the patch remains active within GroupTalk.