1:1 call with automatic answer

1. From Contacts, choose the contact you want to Direct Connect with.
2. Select and hold the DIRECT CONNECT icon. The icon changes color and a chirp tone is heard when you have the floor.
3. Begin speaking. To let someone else speak, release the DIRECT CONNECT icon.
4. Choose End Call to end the call.

Calls to offline or DND contacts

If a contact is Offline or in Do Not Disturb status, you'll get a message to try again later.

TalkGroup Connects

1. Select the TalkGroup you want to Direct Connect with.
2. Select and hold the DIRECT CONNECT icon. The icon changes color and a chirp tone is heard when you have the floor.
3. Begin speaking. To let someone else speak, release the DIRECT CONNECT icon.
4. Choose End Call to end the call.

Broadcast TalkGroup Connects

Broadcast TalkGroup Connects make it possible to deliver important information quickly to a large TalkGroup. Only designated TalkGroup members, called broadcasters, may initiate a one-way high-priority call to a TalkGroup with up to 500 members. A Broadcast TalkGroup Connect preempts any ongoing DIRECT CONNECT call and receiving TalkGroup members cannot call back or reject the call. Once a broadcaster takes the floor, the broadcaster will not be preempted by another broadcaster. You only see a broadcast TalkGroup if you are a designated broadcaster by your administrator.

1. Select the Broadcast TalkGroup you want to Direct Connect with.
2. Choose Call to confirm that you wish to start a broadcast call.
3. Select and hold the DIRECT CONNECT icon. The icon changes color and a chirp tone is heard when you have the floor.
4. Release the DIRECT CONNECT icon when you're done speaking, then choose End Call.

Dialing a manual call

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Manual Dial.
2. Dial the number using the on-screen keyboard, then select the DIRECT CONNECT icon.

1:1 call with automatic answer

• When you receive a Direct Connect call, the TDC app is brought to the foreground and the DIRECT CONNECT icon changes color.
• You can continue the conversation by touching and holding the DIRECT CONNECT icon.
• Choose End Call to end the call.

Broadcast TalkGroup Connects

An incoming broadcast TalkGroup Connect looks like any other TalkGroup Connect but preempts other DIRECT CONNECT calls in progress except emergency calls. You can recognize a broadcast TalkGroup Connect because there is a distinct tone played followed by an announcement. During the call, only the broadcaster can speak, and you cannot take the floor. These calls also override your Do Not Disturb (DND) status if your administrator has set the TalkGroup to do so.

Only designated TalkGroup members may make broadcast TalkGroup Connects. If you are not allowed to make calls to a TalkGroup, you do not see it listed in the TalkGroup tab. If you try to call a broadcast TalkGroup from history, you see a message indicating that the call cannot be completed.

Broadcast Call History

Outgoing broadcast calls are shown in call history like other calls, but with a different icon and call type indicated. A summary of call delivery status for the broadcaster is shown in the TalkGroup tab history detail for the selected TalkGroup. The number of TalkGroup members who received the call is shown along with the total number of TalkGroup members.

Set Direct Connect call volume

During a DIRECT CONNECT call, the speakerphone or earpiece volume can be increased or decreased using the volume up and down keys. The volume adjusted during a DIRECT CONNECT call is used for subsequent calls including cellular calls.

Turn Speaker on or off

On the Call screen, there is a toggle that indicates whether the speaker is ON or OFF for DIRECT CONNECT calls. When the speaker is OFF, you hear the DIRECT CONNECT call audio in the phone’s earpiece and when it is ON the audio is heard through the speaker.

Silent or sound modes

When your phone’s ringer is set to silent or vibrate-only, DIRECT CONNECT calls are played over the phone’s earpiece. To hear a DIRECT CONNECT call, you should hold the phone to your ear as during a cellular phone call. You can temporarily switch to the loudspeaker using the on-screen speaker on/off button for the current call. The next DIRECT CONNECT call again uses the phone’s earpiece while the phone is in silent mode.

Privacy Mode allows you control how incoming DIRECT CONNECT calls are handled whenever your phone ringer setting is set to “silent” or “vibrate-only.” With Privacy Mode, you can control whether an incoming DIRECT CONNECT call is heard normally or if the DIRECT CONNECT call uses the phone earpiece.

Direct Connect & Cellular Calls

Cellular calls while on a Direct Connect call

If you receive an incoming regular phone call while you are in DIRECT CONNECT call, then an incoming phone call is rejected (device restrictions apply), and DIRECT CONNECT call continues.

If you receive an incoming regular phone call while you are in DIRECT CONNECT Group Connect, then the user is presented with a dialog to either accept or reject the call as per native device behavior (not controlled by DIRECT CONNECT application). If the user answers the cellular call, the DIRECT CONNECT Group Connect is put in the background. DIRECT CONNECT voice is lost during ringing, that is, normal device behavior for a cellular call while on a data session.

When the regular call ends, if the DIRECT CONNECT Group Connect is rejoined, it comes to the foreground. The DIRECT CONNECT Group Connect can also end silently in the background.

If Call Priority setting is set to Phone, an ongoing DIRECT CONNECT call ends if a cellular call is answered.

Direct Connect calls while on a Cellular call

If you receive a DIRECT CONNECT call while you are on a regular call, the ongoing cellular call continues, and an incoming DIRECT CONNECT call is rejected with user busy indication. You receive a missed call alert along with an alert tone and a pop-up message is displayed as an indication that a DIRECT CONNECT call occurred during the cellular call.

If Call Priority setting is set to Phone, an incoming DIRECT CONNECT call is rejected. After the current regular call ends, you can make a DIRECT CONNECT callback to the caller from the missed call alert displayed in the DIRECT CONNECT application.

Call behavior in the background

If Background Mode is turned on, the TDC app won't jump to the foreground with an incoming Direct Connect call. This is great if you have a dedicated Direct Connect button or Bluetooth accessory, since you can take the floor without bringing up the app. 

• Select the History icon (looks like a clock) to view your history.
• Choose the search bar to search for names or TalkGroup.
• Select a name or TalkGroup and hold the DIRECT CONNECT icon to call.
• Touch and hold an entry to add them to your contacts.

• Tap History Details to the right of a History entry to view details.
• From the Conversation History screen, you can view history, send alerts, read, and send messages.

Delete one item

1. Touch and hold an entry in your History.
2. Select Delete History > Yes. 

Clear all history

1. Touch and hold an entry in your History.
2. Select Delete All > Yes. 

The Direct Connect favorite contacts and favorite groups are separate from the group list on the phone.

Add

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Favorites.
2. Choose either Favorite Contacts or Favorite Groups.
3. Select Add (plus sign).
4. Choose one or more contacts/groups, then select Save.

View/edit

The Favorite Contacts screen shows a list of all your favorite DIRECT CONNECT contacts as well as their current presence status. You can view or edit favorite contacts using the Contact Details screen.

Delete

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Favorites.
2. Choose either Favorite Contacts or Favorite Groups.
3. Select Remove (minus sign).
4. Choose one or more contacts/groups, then select Save.
5. Select Yes to confirm the removal.

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Contacts.
2. Choose the drop-down arrow (v) to switch between your contacts and the global directory.
3. Select the search bar to search for contacts.
4. Choose the Sort icon at the bottom (three lines) to switch between Alphabetical and Availability sorting.

Add

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Contacts.
2. Choose Add (plus sign) at the bottom of the screen.
3. Choose how you want to add the contact:
   • Import PTT Contact: Add the contact from your device's contact list.
   • New PTT Contact: Manually enter the Direct Connect number and additional information.

View/edit

You can only edit contacts that you create yourself. An administrator-managed contact name cannot be edited. However, you can add or change an avatar, add or change a color, and add a contact to favorites.

1. Touch and hold on the desired contact.
2. Select Details and update the desired information.
3. Choose the Check at the top right when done.

Delete

You can only delete contacts that you create yourself. An administrator-managed contact cannot be deleted.

1. Touch and hold on the desired contact, then choose Details.
2. Select Delete at the bottom of the screen. Choose Yes to confirm.

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose TalkGroups.
2. Select the search bar to search for a TalkGroup.
3. Touch and hold on a TalkGroup, then choose Details for additional information.

Add

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose TalkGroups.
2. Choose the Add icon (plus sign) at the bottom of the screen.
3. Enter the desired name for the group.
4. Select Add Members, choose the desired members, then select the Check at the top.
5. Customize the avatar and color, and choose if it's a favorite, then select the Check at the top.

View/edit

You can only edit groups that you create yourself. An administrator-managed TalkGroup name cannot be edited. However, you can add or change an avatar, add or change a color, and add a TalkGroup to favorites.

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose TalkGroups.
2. Touch and hold on a TalkGroup, then choose Details.
3. Make any changes, including adding or removing members, then select the Check at the top.

Delete

You can only delete personal TalkGroup you have created. Administrator-managed TalkGroups cannot be removed.

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose TalkGroups.
2. Touch and hold on a TalkGroup, then choose Details.
3. Choose Delete > Yes.

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Maps.
2. Choose the search bar to search for addresses or places.
3. Select the Bullseye to recenter the map on your location.

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Maps.
2. Find the location you want to share, then tap the Share icon (box with arrow).
3. Choose who you want to send the location to:
   • Contact
   • Quick Group
   • Group

Member locations

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Maps.
2. Choose the Tracked Group Selector icon to see the groups you have permission to locate.
3. Select the TalkGroup to locate the TalkGroup member locations.
4. Choose any Pin to view the members name and specific location details.

Create Boundary

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Maps.
2. Choose the Tracked Group Selector icon to see the groups you have permission to locate.
3. Select the TalkGroup to view the TalkGroup member locations, then choose Set Boundary from the pop-up.
4. Set the boundary size by zooming in our out. 
5. Set the boundary center by moving the map or searching.
6. Choose Set Boundary to turn the toggle on or off.
7. Select if the boundary should stay in place or follow your location.

Boundary settings

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Maps.
2. Choose the Map Boundary Enable icon, then select Settings.
3. Adjust the boundary as desired.

Create Quick Group

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Maps.
2. Select the Quick Group icon on the action bar.
3. Zoom in until you can only see the contacts you want to select. You can have up to 10 members.
4. Choose Select All in View > Save.

You can use a headset plugged into your phone for Direct Connect (DIRECT CONNECT) calls. Whenever you connect the headset, DIRECT CONNECT calls are heard automatically over the headset instead of the loudspeaker. You must still use the DIRECT CONNECT button on the phone to take the floor to speak, even if your headset has a multimedia control button on it. When you disconnect the headset, the loudspeaker again is used for DIRECT CONNECT calls.

By default, whenever your phone connects to a compatible Bluetooth device, the DIRECT CONNECT application uses that Bluetooth device for calls. If you turn off or unpair your Bluetooth device, the DIRECT CONNECT call automatically switches to the loudspeaker. The DIRECT CONNECT application supports the following Bluetooth profiles: Hands- Free (HFP), Headset (HSP), or Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). When using DIRECT CONNECT over Bluetooth, you must use the DIRECT CONNECT button on the phone to take the floor and speak.

Car Kit

Many cars allow you to connect your phone to the car audio system using Bluetooth. Check the owner’s manual for your car to see if your phone is compatible with your car. Once you connect your phone to the car’s audio system, DIRECT CONNECT calls also use the Bluetooth audio. You must use the DIRECT CONNECT button on the phone to take the floor.

External Direct Connect button

You can use a compatible Bluetooth Smart (Low Energy Bluetooth) DIRECT CONNECT button with your DIRECT CONNECT service. This button can be used in addition to the on-screen DIRECT CONNECT button.

Bluetooth for Direct Connect

If your phone can connect to your car audio system and you receive regular cellular calls, DIRECT CONNECT calls also work. In the rare circumstance that there is a compatibility problem using DIRECT CONNECT with your car audio, but you still want to use Bluetooth for regular cellular calls, you can turn off DIRECT CONNECT over Bluetooth from within DIRECT CONNECT application settings.

A Remote Speaker Microphone (RSM) is an accessory made especially for handling DIRECT CONNECT calls. The RSM has a loudspeaker and DIRECT CONNECT button built-in which lets you remotely control your phone’s DIRECT CONNECT application. There are two types of RSMs: those that connect by wire to the phone’s headset connector, and those that use Bluetooth.

Wired

A wired RSM connects to the phone’s USB-C connector. The RSM has a loudspeaker and microphone, along with a DIRECT CONNECT button. The DIRECT CONNECT button allows you to take the floor during a DIRECT CONNECT call and speak. The DIRECT CONNECT button on the RSM works just like the DIRECT CONNECT button on the phone. Depending on the specific RSM, there may also be a connection for you to use a headset with the RSM. Check the RSM owner’s manual for information specific to the accessory. With a wired RSM, you control the loudspeaker volume using the volume keys on the phone and using the volume buttons on the RSM.

Bluetooth

A Bluetooth-connected RSM gives you all the features of a wired RSM without being tethered by a cord. In addition to having a loudspeaker and DIRECT CONNECT button, a Bluetooth RSM also has a volume control. You do not use the volume buttons on your phone to control the volume, but rather the volume control on the RSM itself. A Bluetooth RSM must be “paired” to your phone before it can be used. For instructions on how to pair the RSM with your phone, please refer to the documentation that comes with the RSM.

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Settings.
2. Touch the toggle next to Background Mode to turn on or off.

Direct Connect over cellular

Using DIRECT CONNECT over 4G LTE and 5G networks ensure the fastest speed, least delay, best voice quality, and best performance during DIRECT CONNECT calls and when using DIRECT CONNECT services.

Use of DIRECT CONNECT over cellular data networks less than 4G may be restricted based on a system-wide configuration. While the application is restricted, the behavior is the same as having no network connection and a "No Connection" message display. You may be provided an audible and visual indication of loss of connection to the network based on the application settings. Upon detection of 4G LTE or 5G, the application will reconnect to the DIRECT CONNECT server and may give an audible indication based on the application settings.

Direct Connect over Wi-Fi

Using DIRECT CONNECT over Wi-Fi can provide effective in-building coverage and leveraging Wi-Fi access points within organizations and hotspots. By default, the DIRECT CONNECT application will use Wi-Fi when it is available. You can adjust this behavior with the Use Wi-Fi setting.

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Settings.
2. Choose Location Change Accuracy and choose from the following:
   • Approximate
   • GPS

The DIRECT CONNECT key setting allows you to assign an alternate key as a DIRECT CONNECT key. This setting only applies if your phone does not have a hard key to use as a DIRECT CONNECT button.

1. Select the Menu icon with three lines, then choose Settings.
2. Choose Logout > Yes.