Overview of Group Types
Groups are preset channels that are created in the admin portal or, in the case of personal or member groups, on the device. They are created as "groups" in the portal and will appear on the channels tab. Groups may be assigned to channel numbers as part of the group settings. Select the Groups tab to view the groups created in the department below.
Click on Add to view the popup menu to create a group.
Groups are customizable based on visibility, access, and call behavior. Depending on the type of group, members may created with the ability to initiate calls, receive calls, or listen only for call monitoring. With the exception of configurable Large Groups, all groups have a size limit of 250. To see instructions for group creation in the Admin Portal, click here.
Types of groups:
| Group Type | Where Created | Description |
| Personal | Device | Personal groups are created on a single device and are controlled and edited by that user, the group "owner." Only the owner can initiate a PTT call the group. Members will not see the group listed on their devices. To create a personal group, long press on a contact (Android) or select the plus sign (iOS). The feature key Allow Group Management must be configured for the user. Personal group PTT calls are ineligible for late joining (joining after call start). |
| Member | Device | Member groups are created on a device, and all members will see the group listed on their devices and anyone can initiate a PTT call to that group. The feature key Allow Group Management must be configured for user. To create a personal group, long press on a contact (Android) or select the plus sign (iOS). Members may late join an in-progress member PTT call. |
| Open | Portal | Open groups are publicly searchable for non members Users with appropriate priority access may late join an open group. |
| Closed | Portal | This is the default group type. Closed groups are not searchable for non members. |
| Dispatch | Portal | Dispatch groups permit two types of membership: Call initiators and call receivers. |
| Custom | Portal | Custom groups are groups that have an adjustment to the settings for standard members: deselect the join call option; make the group searchable or not; add a listen only group; allow for alert on call start; or configure for a large group. Large groups are not available in every portal instance, and have limitations for in-call behavior such as location and member lists. |
| Unicast | Portal | A unicast group provides an announcement function. |
| Surveillance | Portal | The Surveillance Channel Group type mimics an LMR Radio, with a dedicated channel that users can join and leave over time. Once started, the call will stay open until a configurable time period or until the last member has left the call. Based on configuration, the call can be idle for up to 2 hours before the call will be dropped. Not compatible with Emergency PTT Group configuration. |
Group Presence Indicators:
Types of Group Membership
Some groups configured in the portal may have members with limited roles in group communication. A user my be assigned the role of a call originator, a call receiver, or a Listen Only Member. Group memberships may be customized during the process of adding members. Available membership types are based on the group settings.
Receive Calls
Determines if a member may receive calls, or only initiate calls in a dispatch-style group.
Originate Calls
Determines if the group member may initiate a group call, or only receive calls in a dispatch-style group.
Talker Override
When members are added to a group, they may be added with Talker Override. Group members with this designation will have their individual priority +5. Users who try to take the floor with the same priority/talker override status will be treated on a first come, first served basis.
Listen Only
If the group type offers that setting, a Listen Only member may "Press to Listen" to monitor a call that is ongoing, and in the place of "RX" on the channel, they will see a microphone option. In the case of group members who have listen only memberships, they will get an error message that no call is currently in progress when they attempt to initiate a call to this group, and will instead be offered the chance to send a text message to this group.
Can Block Group
The "Can block group" option permits a user to block the specific channel by deselecting RX.