I haven't heard of a motorola radio with speech. I can speak for their
software, it's mostly the same from radio to radio. the software is
different but the interface is the same and not very screen reader friendly
though after spending a lot of time with it and labeling many graphics and
what not, I have made some of them work with jaws. I could do it with more
but it's such a job to do I don't bother. I run motorola equipment on 900
MHz, my packet vhf radio is Motorola, and I have others around but
personally I don't find performance of Motorola equipment on par with
Kenwood and Icom, and others.
-----Original Message-----
From: Barry
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2015 9:50 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: DMR radio
Hi Frank,
I'm sure there are. These radios are designed for commercial use, so tend to
be easy to operate. I have heard there's a mobile Motorola radio which has
speech, but I don't know the model.
The bigger obstacle you're likely to encounter is the accessibility and
expense of the software. I hear Motorola software is expensive, and I can't
comment on it's accessibility.
If you have a nearby DMR repeater, perhaps make inquiries with the group who
set it up. You might get a chance to look at some different rigs etc.
There definitely are mobile radios around.
Sorry not to be able to help more.
Barry VK6SP.
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Frank Ventura
Sent: Monday, 19 October 2015 6:44 AM
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.
=20
I am now on air in this mode and can tell you all a little about it.
=20
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.
=20
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.
=20
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.
=20
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.
=20
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.
=20
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.
=20
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.
=20
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.
=20
Once programmed, the radio is a sinch to use.
=20
I hope to have encouraged at least some of you to give DMR a try.
=20
Cheers,
Barry VK6SP.
=20
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