KC5DJR

This page is full of rabbit holes, there is a lot to cover here you might want to get a cup of coffee and a sandwich

The main objective of my page is to make DMR accessible to everyone by explaining DMR as simple as possible for beginners, my goal is to provide support for those wanting to learn DMR or for those who might be struggling with DMR, I can help you!

This site is new as of Oct and under construction, revisit & refresh your web browser (F-5) for more updates, new links, and pages I tinker with this site daily, I'm no web master by any means just HTML, pics and text nothing fancy here.*

Learn more about DMR here

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See if any of your friends are on DMR

The first step is to get registered with RadioID.net and get your DMR ID

So you can use DMR
Note: RadioID.net requires an "Official Copy" of your ham license sent to them on line, the reference copy is not accepted, you must log into your FCC FRN account and download it
See how here

Then register for an account with BrandMeister and or TGIF for hotspot access, the other DMR networks do not require registration

DMR Doesn't Have To Be Super Expensive
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Check out this DMR Starter Package
For around $214 you can have a DMR setup, DMR HT & a MMDVM hotspot, Starter pack Baofeng DM-1701 $70
and a nice MMDVM pi-zero hotspot with a LAN port for ($116) Depending on where you buy the radio some come with OpenGD77 already flashed
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What's available?
DMR for ham radio is everywhere on line, these are all dual band DMR & analog capable
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Anytone AT-D578UV III PLUS *	Anytone AT-D578UV III Pro *	Anytone AT-878 BTECH DMR-6X2 PRO *	ANYTONE ATD168UV
TYT MD-9600 *	TYT UVMD-380 *	AnyTone AT-D578UVIII Basic (no GPS or Blue tooth) *	TYT MD750
Alinco DJ MD5 XLT *	Alinco DR-MD500T *	Alinco DR-520T BAOFENG DMR DM-1702 *	Baofeng DM-1701
Radioddity DB40-D *	Radioddity DB25-D *	Retevis Ailunce HD1 or HD2 Retevis RT3S *	BAOFENG DR1801UV
		ANYTONE ATD168UV I Basic (no GPS or Blue tooth)

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Note: The TYT MDUV380 & 390, and the MD9600 mobile are even better when you add the OpenGD77 firmware / software Here's How

You could also buy used commercial DMR radios / eBay has a bunch too
Note: You'll need to buy commercial programming software and a cable for these and it can get kinda pricey for the commercial proprietary CPS and cables

Some of the more popular online retail stores

R&L out of Ohio great prices and NO sales tax for most states
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CQ Radios sells DMR radios and the Boomerang MMDVM Hotspot very popular (Ham owned small business)
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Amazon sells MMDVM hotspots and DMR radios like candy, eBay is another good source
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DX Engineering HRO The Antenna Farm Radioddity Powerwerx Retevis Remtronix

The most popular DMR HT The most common MMDVM Hotspot

If money is not a problem for you and you don't really want to take or have the time to learn how to configure your DMR hotspot or make your own code plug and just want to use DMR there's a company that offers a "plug & play" package deal you can buy for $834, from BridgeCom complete with HT & hotspot or
a completely pre-configured hotspot "their own" for $434 "SkyBridge" Hotspot
As of Dec 4 I currently have 2 of these SkyBridge Max the latest from Bridgecom, 1 is new in the box unused for sale $300 each or OBO

The alternative to ths would be to buy a hotspot for $116 and a DMR HT for $85 and let me configure the whole thing or show you how to do it for a cheeseburger

Are there any DMR repeaters near you?

If you live in or around Arkansas

It's like having your own personal low powered digital repeater at home or in your mobile
Also most everyone who starts off using a DMR repeater gets a hotspot for the freedom they provide, no restrictions or sharing.
Boomerang Amazon eBay SkyBridge Max

There are a bunch of them to choose from

Note: BrandMeister & TGIF require an account for access to their networks

BrandMeister TGIF DMR+ IPSC2 Global Master Servers DMR+ IPSC2 "QuadNet" XLX AmComm QuadNet System-X FreeStar FreeDMR System-X
Note:DMR+ IPSC2 networks have talk groups and reflectors to connect to with links and bridges to many other networks

Note:XLX is a reflector linking multi protocol network similar to D-Star with numbered REF reflectors and Rooms, 26 rooms per reflector labeled A to Z

Others include and are restricted to RF only no hotspots and most require permission to use
c-Bridges: DMR-MARC, DCI TRBO, NATS, CACTUS, K4USD, Crossroads, Lonestar, DMRX, Chicagoland, Rocky Mountain Ham, DMR-FL,
Bronx TRBO, Minnesota TRBO

Take your time, don't be in a rush, follow the directions carefully

More Advanced hotspot features for those who want more than just one DMR network

What if my hotspot starts acting funny?
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The #1 most common issue I run into with people having hotspot issues is a missing or wrong password, not connected to the DMR server
#2 would be WiFi or Internet issues

Hopefully you made a backup, you can just restore your hotspot to the last known working conditions.
This checklist is packed full of tips and tricks gathered over years of messing with these picky devices, 90% of its users are successful at resolving their HS issues

These little devices are very picky and have zero tolerance for type-o errors, if so much as one small detail is off it will render the thing useless.

I do not recommend tinkering with the settings unless you know what you're doing!

Quick links to your dashboards configuration settings using pi-star.local
To access your hotspot configuration dashboard click here same user name and password (pi-star / raspberry)
Use caution when you tinker around and always make a back up before you do anything.
Double check your configuration settings If you're having high BER % try calibrating the device
Check your gateway script for errors, Try rebooting the hotspot
Update your hostfiles or Upgrade to the latest pi-star OS

BrandMeister Talkgroup Information

Other talkgroup information

Each DMR network has it's own set of talk groups that are specific to that network

Note: TGIF comes with it's own talk group manager on the pi dashboard, for BrandMeister you must add it manually

Here you can find some prefabricated code plugs for training and testing and my collection of DMR ham radio CPS software download links
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Before you begin use the parrot 9990 in private call to confirm you're connected to the server and you have good audio, if you sound like crap and way too loud some people wont answer your call

Next
Start talking
The more you use it the more you'll love it, start exploring the many talkgroups out there and make some contacts
Be patience and wait a few before moving to the next talkgroup, give a long call where you very slowly give your call, your name, and your location and indicate what talkgroup you're on. Try using the statewide calling talkgroups and then move to a TAC talkgroup or just have a short QSO but DO NOT RAG CHEW or you'll find yourself in the timeout chair lol
After some practice you'll get the hang of DMR and start to explore the vast possibilities DMR has to offer
Remember you only need to key up or kerchunck the talkgroup once, repeatedly kerchunking the talkgroup isn't necessary and is super annoying for repeater owners

My DMR Radio is Programmed, Why Don't I hear Anything

You need to PPT or "kerchunck" activate a talkgroup first, and there needs to be someone talking
Your radio or hotspot needs to be subscribed to a network talkgroup, adding static talkgroups helps but even then they need to be activate.
Start with a search of currently activate talkgroups, monitor network activity, understanding how static talkgroups work

Remember to use the parrot 9990, 310991, or 310997 in "Private Call" to test your audio and verify your connection to the DMR server

Warning! Do not repeatedly key up a talkgroup on BrandMeister you will get blocked by the server for a few hours to prevent looping