Using push-to-talk (PTT)

Edited September 19, 2020

If you have a G7c enabled with a PTT service plan and PTT is on in your device’s configuration profile, push-to-talk allows you to send and receive voice messages to other G7c device users, similar to a walkie-talkie. Push-to-talk is only available on G7c devices.

Transmitting

How do I send a PTT message?

1. Press and hold the red latch
2. When G7c finishes beeping, continue to hold and begin talking with the device about 6 inches from your mouth.
   NOTE: If you are using an O2 sensor, be sure that you are talking into G7’s microphone, not the cartridge, as this could cause gas alarms.
3. When you’re finished talking, release the latch. G7 allows PTT messages up to 30 seconds in length.
4. G7c will beep once more to let you know it’s done listening

When using a numbered channel, you will only be transmitting to other devices on that channel. When using all call, you will be transmitting to all devices in your organizations. When using the receive only channel, you will not be able to transmit messages.

Receiving

How do I receive a PTT message?

1. G7c will beep once to signal an incoming PTT message
2. G7c will play the message
3. G7c will beep once more when the message is done

When using a numbered channel, you will be able to receive messages from other devices on that channel, as well as from the all call channel. When using the all call channel or the receive only channel, you will only receive calls from the all call channel.

Available Channels

Channel 0-99

Channels 0 through 99 are available for everyday use. When on a specific channel, you will only be able to communicate with devices that are on the same channel, and will also receive transmissions from all call.

All call

All call is a channel where G7 will transmit to all PTT devices in your organization, and will only hear transmissions from all call. This channel is recommended for safety supervisors or managers.

Receive only

The receive only channel only hears transmissions from all call, and can’t transmit to other devices.

Changing channels

How do I change my channel?

Changing your PTT channel can be done from G7c’s main or secondary menu.

To change to a specific channel number:

1. Press the OK button to enter G7c’s main menu
2. Use the up and down arrows to navigate to PTT channels, and select OK.
3. Select enter channel #
4. Use the up and down arrows to enter the first digit of your channel. For example, for channel 40, the first digit is 4.
5. Press OK
6. Use the up and down arrow to enter the second digit of your channel. For example, for channel 40, the second digit is 0.
7. Press OK
8. Select yes to confirm and change G7c’s channel or select edit to make changes

To change to receive only or all call:

1. Press the OK button to enter G7c’s main menu
2. Use the up and down arrows to navigate to PTT channels, and select OK.
3. Select receive only or all call
4. Read the message on the screen
5. Select yes to confirm

NOTE: If an error occurs while changing channels, the device will default to receive only. You can also navigate to the PTT channels menu by pressing the up or down arrow from the main screen, and pressing OK when the current PTT channel shows.

Changing volume

How do I change my push-to-talk call volume?

Changing the volume of incoming calls can be done from G7’s main screen or the PTT channel menu. Changing your PTT volume only affects incoming calls, and won’t change the way G7’s alerts sound.

To change volume from the main screen:

1. Press and hold the up or down arrow
2. Use the up and down arrows to set G7’s volume to your desired level
3. Press OK or wait for the screen to timeout to save

To change volume from the PTT channel menu:

1. Press the OK button to enter G7c’s main menu
2. Use the up and down arrows to navigate to PTT channels, and select OK
3. Use the up and down arrows to navigate to change volume, and select OK
4. Use the up and down arrows to set G7’s volume to your desired level
5. Press OK or wait for the screen to timeout to save

PTT Audio Accessories

G7c is equipped with audio pairing in order to use an audio accessory with push-to-talk. G7 supports accessories with the hands-free profile. For a list of Blackline tested devices, see this article.  All settings for audio devices can be found in G7’s main menu, under settings > audio pairing.

How do I pair a new audio device?

1. Press OK to enter the main menu
2. Use the up and down arrows to navigate to settings
3. Navigate to audio pairing, and press OK
4. Use the up and down arrows to navigate to pair new, and press OK
5. Put your accessory into pairing mode as per its instructions
6. Select your device from the list
7. G7 will give you a successful connection message when your device is connected, and you will see an audio accessory icon in the info bar of G7c’s main screen

How do I reconnect to an audio device?

G7 will remember your audio accessory and pair automatically when both are powered on. In the case that it doesn’t, you can reconnect to your accessory from the audio pairing menu.

1. Press OK to enter the main menu
2. Use the up and down arrows to navigate to accessories
3. Navigate to audio pairing, and press OK
4. Use the up and down arrows to navigate to reconnect, and press OK
5. Ensure your accessory is on
6. G7c will reconnect to your audio accessory, and you will see an audio accessory icon in the info bar of G7c’s main screen when the connection is successful

How do I forget a paired device?

1. Press OK to enter the main menu
2. Use the up and down arrows to navigate to settings
3. Navigate to audio pairing, and press OK
4. Use the up and down arrows to navigate to forget device, and press OK
5. Select yes to confirm that you would like to forget your accessory

NOTE: Audio accessories can only be used for push-to-talk purposes, and cannot be used for early check-ins or confirming pending alarms.