In my area NXDN is more popular by far, sounds similar but with no dmr
activity in my area and no interest in digital at all, I couldn't really say
other than I have an NXDN radio because one of the clubs I'm active with is
involved in a bunch of MA, RI, and NH repeaters that do NXDN. Of course, how
many times have I actually talked on that mode can be counted on one hand
with fingers left over. With everything I'm involved with though, many
organizations I volunteer with require commercial radios, I use the radio
analog constantly.
-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Ventura
Sent: Sunday, October 18, 2015 6:44 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: DMR radio
Barry, are there any reasonably accessible mobile/base stations DMR radios?
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]] =
On Behalf Of Barry
Sent: Sunday, October 18, 2015 9:43 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: DMR radio
Greetings to all,
I recently posted a query about DMR, or Digital Mobile Radio.
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I am now on air in this mode and can tell you all a little about it.
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The DMR Mark Network is a network of VHF and UHF repeaters which presently =
extends to 44 countries. The repeaters tend to be linked both to regional a=
nd international networks. This means that you can have international conta=
cts on a mobile or hand held radio, provided you can access a repeater.
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Quite a few companies make DMR radios; perhaps Motorola is the best known. =
I just bought a Chinese radio called a Tyte or Tytera MD380. This is a hand=
held radio, max output 5 Watts. There is a VHF version and a UHF version. =
I bought the UHF because all DMR repeaters in Australia are on the 438 or 4=
39 MHz band. The radio cost me about $160 US from Ebay. You can get them al=
so from 409shop.net and I'm sure many other places.
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A few points. The radio works on DMR and analog FM. It contains 1,000 progr=
ammable channels. To use this radio you must download the free software fro=
m the Tytera website. The software is reasonably accessable with JAWS, once=
you get the hang of it. You must program the radio with the software befor=
e you can use it.
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Before you can operate DMR, you must apply for a DMR registration number fr=
om the DMR Mark website. It took about 6 hours for mine to arrive.
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The radio has easy to feel buttons and knobs. There are two large buttons, =
one above and one below the PTT button. The functions of these can be progr=
ammed with the software. On top of the radio is a on/off and volume knob, a=
nd a channel knob. The channels don't loop, so you can easily work out wher=
e you are. Each bank of channels, in DMR they're called "Zones", has
16 channels in it. If you are able to access more than one repeater, you mi=
ght want to put each one on a separate zone. Each repeater frequency offers=
two channels which can operate simultaneously. These are referred to as "t=
imeslot 1" and "timeslot 2". Generally, 1 is for international and 2 is for=
local contacts.
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I recommend you buy a radio with programming cable included. You can buy th=
em cheaply, but it's simpler if you get the radio and cable together.
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The first step to take is to see whether you have a local DMR repeater. I w=
ould then either join the Tyt-tytera MD380 yahoogroup, and/or any of the DM=
R groups on Yahoo, Facebook or elsewhere. Look for something called a "code=
plug" for your local area. This is a file which someone else has created, w=
hich contains the settings you need for the repeater/s in your area. If you=
find one, it is simple to load into the software. Just add your unique DMR=
number in the the appropriate box and send the file to your radio. One of =
the functions which I programmed to one of those large buttons was "select =
zone", so that I could scroll between zones without having to worry about t=
he menu.
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You will see that some people like to add contacts to their radios. I don't=
see any point in this unless you have vision. If you have contacts program=
med, when a station in your list transmits, you'll see their ID and callsig=
n on your screen.
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Once programmed, the radio is a sinch to use.
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I hope to have encouraged at least some of you to give DMR a try.
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Cheers,
Barry VK6SP.
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