W9FE'S

BASIC DMR INFO PAGE


Catch me on the Illinois-Link DMR Talkgroup 31171

 

 

NEW TO DMR?

LEARN THE BASICS FIRST!

 


animated arrowREQUIRED FIRST STEP: GET A DMR ID  

Click here or on the Picture to apply for a DMR ID at RadioID.net.

YOU MUST HAVE A DMR ID BEFORE TRANSMITTING ON DMR NETWORKS!

 

red VIEW THE INTRODUCTION TO DMR POWERPOINT PRESENTATION (by WCARA)

AND

red ball DMR-DIGITAL MOBILE RADIO (by K0NR)

 

blue ballIntroduction to DMR (by KD8JNI) blue ballDMR Etiquette & Common Courtesy
 

animated arrow Listen to Live DMR Worldwide (TG91) QSO's on the Brandmeister Hoseline

(NOTE: Be sure to press the top right corner Player Icon button on Brandmeister Hoseline Live to start the Audio stream)

 

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STEPS TO PROGRAMMING YOUR RADIO

 

red ballSTEP 1: SET YOUR RADIO ID, GENERAL SETTINGS, AND FPP

red ballSTEP 2: SET YOUR DIGITAL CONTACTS (aka TALKGROUP LIST)

red ballSTEP 3: SET YOUR DIGITAL RX GROUP LIST (allows you to receive the channel)

red ballSTEP 4: SET YOUR CHANNELS (RX/TX freq., Talkgroup, Color Code, Timeslot,...etc.)

red ballSTEP 5: SET YOUR ZONES (Shows channel on the radio channel selector display)

 

blue ballHow to Write a DMR Codeplug (video) blue ballHow to Write a Hotspot Codeplug (video)
 
blue ballK8JTK Tutorial - DMR in Amateur Radio; Programming A Codeplug

 

 

red ballTry out a Brandmeister Starter Codeplug for use with your Hotspot or SharkRF Openspot

 
blue ballBrandmeister Starter Codeplug-TYT MD380/390 blue ballAll Brandmeister Talkgroups.csv (Oct 2023)
 

 

blue ballDMR ZONE LISTS

Need help organizing your DMR Zones and Channel List?  Here's my DMR Zone setup.

Feel free to organize your Zones and Channel List similar to mine or create your own personalized setup

File can be downloaded in either PDF or Excel formats

blue ballW9FE DMR Zone Listing.pdf blue ballW9FE DMR Zone Listing.xlxs
 

 

N0GSG DMR Contact Manager Software

blue pinUsing a different radio than what is listed?  You can also import these codeplugs into your current DMR radio codeplug that you are using with the red ballN0GSG DMR Contact Manager Software.  Contact Manager allows Codeplug data to be easily moved between different radio types using the Structural Import feature.   Just open an empty codeplug file saved from your radio (e.g. Anytone 868UV) then select the Structural Import tab and import from the codeplug from another radio file (e.g. TYT MD-380). IMPORTANT: For use with AnyTone models, use the Anytone CPS Tool->Export Data Conversion File command to produce a DCF file readable by Contact Manager.

 

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DMR ETIQUETTE

and COMMON COURTESY

 

animated arrowREMEMBER:...PARROT IS YOUR DMR FRIEND

 

Parrot (Brandmeister) - TG9990 (Private call)

Parrot (Repeaters) - TG9998 (Group Call)

 

blue ballExample Parrot Channel (Brandmeister) for Audio/Radio checks

 

red ballInstead of constantly asking for radio checks on populated DMR talkgroups like you were still on CB...Take advantage of the Parrot talkgroup (Group call on Repeater TG9998 or Private call on Brandmeister TG9990) to check your audio. It will echo back your audio test when you transmit to it.

red ballAnnounce your Talkgroup when announcing your availability or calling another station. Some users may be scanning or have a radio without a display. (e.g. "This is W9FE listening on North America" or when identifying during your QSO, say "W1ABC, This is W9FE on TAC 310".)

red ballAvoid calling CQ. DMR is not HF. Operating DMR on the network is not DXing. If you desire a contact, Just say something like, "This is W9FE listening on North America"

red ballMove to a more localized talkgroup when connecting with someone on a Wide Area Talkgroup (e.g. Worldwide, Nationwide, Regionwide, or Statewide) or keep your QSO's short. You will be tying up hundreds of repeaters on Wide Area Talkgroups. Consider moving to a TAC channel for longer QSO's

red ballListen...Listen...Listen. Spend most of your time Listening..not talking. Allow 180 Seconds before transmitting when first joining a talkgroup. This will avoid calling over a QSO transmission in progress that your radio has not yet unsquelched. Many people have their Time Out Timer (TOT) set to 180s and your radio will not unsquelch a transmission already in progress on the talkgroup until they actually unkey.

red ballAllow several seconds of Pause between transmissions. This will allow users with hotspots to disconnect from the talkgroup or allow others to join. Quick keying during your QSO is inconsiderate.

red balland once again...Use Parrot to test your audio instead of on populated talkgroups

red ballYou will occasionally see some user ID's appear momentarily. "Kerchunking" on DMR repeaters is necessary for them to hear the PTT talkgroups or those with hotspots to change talkgoups. Don't assume that they are looking for you to contact them. Many times they are commanding things up so they can listen.

 

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DMR SIMPLEX VOICE FREQUENCIES

 

blue ball441.000 blue ball446.500 blue ball446.075 Most Common North America
blue ball145.790 blue ball145.510 blue ball433.450 Most Common Non-North America

TG=Talkgroup 99

CC=Color Code 1

TS=Time Slot 1

Admit Criteria: Always

In-Call Criteria: TX or Always

animated arrowIMPORTANT: *DO NOT USE 146.520 or 446.000 Mhz as they are National Analog Simplex calling channels. Also avoid repeater input or output channels, locally used Non-DMR simplex channels, satellite sub-bands, and any other frequencies that could disrupt amateur communications

 

 

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SUGGESTED HOTSPOT FREQUENCIES

red ballIllinois Repeater Association Band Plan-2006

Have a DMR Hotspot?  Set your DMR Hotspot to one of the Auxiliary Repeater Links below

 

 

Avoid Repeater inputs & Satellite Uplink frequencies

Hotspots, repeaters, terrestrial simplex, and "anything not satellite" should never transmit in the segments 145.8-146.0 MHz or 435-438 MHz by international band plan.

blue ballARRL NEWS - DMR Hotspots & Interference with Satellite Uplinks

animated arrow IMPORTANT: *DO NOT USE 446.000 Mhz as it is a National Analog Simplex calling channel. Also avoid repeater input or output channels, locally used Non-DMR simplex channels, satellite sub-bands, and any other frequencies that could disrupt amateur communications

 

 

ARRL BAND PLAN

blue pinAuxiliary Repeater Links 433-435

redballIN THE U.S.: Part of the 70cm band (433.00 - 435.00 MHz) is reserved for "Auxiliary Repeater Links" (your OpenSPOT fits this definition well enough.) IT IS UP TO YOU TO MAKE SURE A FREQUENCY IS NOT ALREADY IN USE BEFORE YOU BEGIN USING IT WITH YOUR OPENSPOT !!! If you cause interference with someone else's equipment, there is no excuse for not trying a different frequency! You might want to check with your area's Frequency Coordinator.

The Illinois Repeater Association (ILRA.net) lists the following Band Plan for Auxiliary Link Frequencies:

blueball433.025-434.975 FM Auxiliary Links

25 kHz Spacing

blue pinNote: These link channels have primary allocation status.

blue ball blue ball433.025 blue ball433.050 blue ball433.075
blue ball433.100 blue ball433.125 blue ball433.150 blue ball433.175
blue ball433.200 blue ball433.225 blue ball433.250 blue ball433.275
blue ball433.300 blue ball433.325 blue ball433.350 blue ball433.375
blue ball433.400 blue ball433.425 blue ball433.450 blue ball433.475
blue ball433.500 blue ball433.525 blue ball433.550 blue ball433.575
blue ball433.600 blue ball433.625 blue ball433.650 blue ball433.675
blue ball433.700 blue ball433.725 blue ball433.750 blue ball433.775
blue ball433.800 blue ball433.825 blue ball433.850 blue ball433.875
blue ball433.900 blue ball433.925 blue ball433.950 blue ball433.975
blue ball434.000 blue ball434.425 blue ball434.450 blue ball434.475
blue ball434.500 blue ball434.525 blue ball434.550 blue ball434.575
blue ball434.600 blue ball434.625 blue ball434.650 blue ball434.675
blue ball434.700 blue ball434.725 blue ball434.750 blue ball434.775
blue ball434.800 blue ball434.825 blue ball434.850 blue ball434.875
blue ball434.900 blue ball434.925 blue ball434.950 blue ball434.975

 

 

 

blue pinAuxiliary and Control Links, Repeaters, and Simplex (Local Option) 445-447

redballA second block within the 70cm band (445.00 - 447.00 MHz) is reserved for "Auxiliary and Control Links, Repeaters, and Simplex (Local Option)". Again, your OpenSPOT is a good fit, here. AGAIN - IT IS UP TO YOU TO MAKE SURE A FREQUENCY IS NOT ALREADY IN USE BEFORE YOU BEGIN USING IT WITH YOUR OPENSPOT !!! It bears repeating - you might want to check with your area's Frequency Coordinator.

 

blueball445.000-445.875 FM Repeater Inputs/Auxiliary Links

25 kHz Spacing

blue pinNote: May be issued as Paired or Individual Channels

blue ball445.000 blue ball445.025 blue ball445.050 blue ball445.075
blue ball445.100 blue ball445.125 blue ball445.150 blue ball445.175
blue ball445.200 blue ball445.225 blue ball445.250 blue ball445.275
blue ball445.300 blue ball445.325 blue ball445.350 blue ball445.375
blue ball445.400 blue ball445.425 blue ball445.450 blue ball445.475
blue ball445.500 blue ball445.525 blue ball445.550 blue ball445.575
blue ball445.600 blue ball445.625 blue ball445.650 blue ball445.675
blue ball445.700 blue ball445.725 blue ball445.750 blue ball445.775
blue ball445.800 blue ball445.825 blue ball445.850 445.875

 

 

blue ball446.050-446.375 FM Repeater Inputs/Auxiliary Links

25 kHz Spacing

blue pinNote: May be issued as Paired or Individual Channels

Blue/Yellow = Non-Paired Channels

blue ball blue ball blue ball446.050 blue ball446.075
blue ball446.100 blue ball446.125 blue ball446.150 blue ball446.175
blue ball446.200 blue ball446.225 blue ball446.250 blue ball446.275
blue ball446.300 blue ball446.325 blue ball446.350 blue ball446.375

 

 

blue ball446.525-446.975 FM Auxiliary Links

25 kHz Spacing

blue pinNote: May be issued as Paired or Individual Channels

blue ball blue ball446.525 blue ball446.550 blue ball446.575
blue ball446.600 blue ball446.625 blue ball446.650 blue ball446.675
blue ball446.700 blue ball446.725 blue ball446.750 blue ball446.775
blue ball446.800 blue ball446.825 blue ball446.850 blue ball446.875
blue ball446.900 blue ball446.925 blue ball446.950 blue ball446.975

 

redballIt is recommended that you check with your local Frequency Coordinator before selecting a frequency, and at the very least, set a UHF ANALOG radio to a frequency of interest, in VFO simplex mode. Then turn up the volume, and just listen for a couple hours as you go about your day. If you don't hear anything (voice, digital screeching, or other obvious traffic), you might be able to use that frequency. If you hear anything, set VFO to a different frequency and listen again for a couple hours. (With so many frequencies to choose from, if you pick something in the middle of the pack, you'll likely get lucky on the first try.)

 

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ST Louis Area DMR Repeater Codeplugs

blue ball  Need a DMR Codeplug for our St. Louis Area DMR repeaters?

 

blue pin  NOTE: These codeplugs listed are NoCall / NoID codeplugs...you will need to enter in your callsign and DMR ID into them using your Codeplug Programming Software (CPS) prior to importing into your radio. NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE A DMR ID BEFORE TRANSMITTING ON DMR NETWORKS!


blue ballK0MDG/R Codeplugs-TYT MD380/MD-2017 blue ballK7QLL/R Codeplug-TYT MD380
blue ballKM0MDG/R Codeplugs-AT868UV blue ballK7QLL/R Codeplug-AT868UV
blue ballKM0MDG/R Codeplugs-CS800D blue ball

 

 

St Louis Area DMR Repeater Listing (by Frequency)

 

animated arrowIMPORTANT NOTE: It is imperitive to utilize a more localized talkgroup when connecting with someone on the St. Louis Area DMR Repeaters or keep your QSO's short. You will be tying up hundreds of repeaters on Wide Area Talkgroups that are Nationwide, Regional, and Statewide Talkgroups. Use these as calling talkgroups and consider moving to a TAC channel for longer QSO's. This is common DMR courtesy for everyone to adhere to.

red ball442.400 - W9AIU - Edwardsville, IL (Local DMR Only)

red ball442.450 - KD0BQS - Arnold, Mo

red ball442.525 - WF1RES - O'Fallon, IL

red ball442.8750 - W0MA - St. Louis, Mo

red ball443.2500 - N0KQG - St. Charles, Mo

red ball443.43125 - K7QLL DMR Repeater website - Greenville, IL

red ball443.5250 - N0RVC - Defiance, Mo

red ball443.550 - KM0MDG/R Repeater website - St. Louis, MO

red ball444.6500 - WB0HSI  - St. Charles, Mo

 

 

 

red ballGo to W9FE's Homepage