W9FE'S
BASIC DMR INFO PAGE
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Catch me on the Illinois-Link DMR Talkgroup 31171
NEW TO DMR?
LEARN THE BASICS FIRST!
REQUIRED 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!
VIEW THE INTRODUCTION TO DMR POWERPOINT PRESENTATION (by WCARA)
AND
DMR-DIGITAL MOBILE RADIO (by K0NR)
 | Introduction to DMR (by KD8JNI) | | DMR Etiquette & Common Courtesy |
STEPS TO PROGRAMMING YOUR RADIO
STEP 1: SET YOUR RADIO ID, GENERAL SETTINGS, AND FPP
STEP 2: SET YOUR DIGITAL CONTACTS (aka TALKGROUP LIST)
STEP 3: SET YOUR DIGITAL RX GROUP LIST (allows you to receive the channel)
STEP 4: SET YOUR CHANNELS (RX/TX freq., Talkgroup, Color Code, Timeslot,...etc.)
STEP 5: SET YOUR ZONES (Shows channel on the radio channel selector display)
| How to Write a DMR Codeplug (video) | | How to Write a Hotspot Codeplug (video) |
| K8JTK Tutorial - DMR in Amateur Radio; Programming A Codeplug |
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
| W9FE DMR Zone Listing.pdf | | W9FE DMR Zone Listing.xlxs |
and COMMON COURTESY
REMEMBER:...PARROT IS YOUR DMR FRIEND
Example Parrot Channel for Audio/Radio checks
Parrot (Brandmeister) - TG9990 (Private call)
Parrot (Repeaters) - TG9998 (Group Call)
Instead 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.
Announce 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".)
Avoid 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"
Move 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
Listen...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.
Allow 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.
and once again...Use Parrot to test your audio instead of on populated talkgroups
You 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.
DMR SIMPLEX VOICE FREQUENCIES
| 441.000 | | 446.500 | | 446.075 Most Common North America |
| 145.790 | | 145.510 | | 433.450 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
IMPORTANT: *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
SUGGESTED HOTSPOT FREQUENCIES
Illinois 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
ARRL NEWS - DMR Hotspots & Interference with Satellite Uplinks
Auxiliary Repeater Links 433-435
Auxiliary and Control Links, Repeaters, and Simplex (Local Option) 445-447
IN 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.
A 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.
It 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.)
The Illinois Repeater Association (ILRA.net) lists the following Band Plan for Auxiliary Link Frequencies:
433.0250-434.9750 FM Auxiliary Links
445.000-445.875 FM Repeater Inputs/Auxiliary Links
446.050-446.375 FM Repeater Inputs/Auxiliary Links
446.5250-446.9750 FM Auxiliary Links
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
Need a DMR Codeplug for our St. Louis Area DMR repeaters?
ST Louis Area DMR Repeater Codeplugs
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!
| K0MDG/R Codeplugs-TYT MD380/MD-2017 | | K7QLL/R Codeplug-TYT MD380 |
| KM0MDG/R Codeplugs-AT868UV | | K7QLL/R Codeplug-AT868UV |
| KM0MDG/R Codeplugs-CS800D | | |
St Louis Area DMR Repeater Listing (by Frequency)
IMPORTANT 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.
442.400 - W9AIU - Edwardsville, IL (Local DMR Only)
442.450 - KD0BQS - Arnold, Mo
442.525 - WF1RES - O'Fallon, IL
442.8750 - W0MA - St. Louis, Mo
443.2500 - N0KQG - St. Charles, Mo
443.43125 - K7QLL DMR Repeater website - Greenville, IL
443.5250 - N0RVC - Defiance, Mo
443.550 - KM0MDG/R Repeater website - St. Louis, MO
444.6500 - WB0HSI - St. Charles, Mo
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