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
*See
if any of your friends are on DMR
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
*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
*What's available?
DMR for ham radio is
everywhere on line, these are all dual band DMR & analog capable
**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
R&L out of Ohio great prices and NO
sales tax for most states
*
CQ Radios sells DMR
radios
and the Boomerang
MMDVM Hotspot very popular (Ham
owned small business)
*
Amazon sells MMDVM
hotspots and DMR radios like candy, eBay is another good source
*
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
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
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?
*
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
*
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
*
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
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
I build
DMR code
plugs for radios that are made for ham radio and configure MMDVM
pi-star
hotspots,
I teach new and seasoned hams how to get involved
with DMR
I pride myself in my ability to work with the most frustrated ham who
is aggravated to the boiling point of selling all their DMR equipment,
turning that around to on the air and happy
After you watch
this
and you'll feel better
I
like to help newcomers get on DMR, if you're super frustrated
and just disgusted with the whole idea of DMR, take a break
and reach out to me, I will help you with one
on one
personal instruction
If you have a DMR radio I'm not familiar with, I can just download the
CPS and learn how to program it with you
*
*
I
crank out code plugs like a sausage factory
*
You're
welcome to copy,
repost, share anything you find on this site, if
you have something to add or share please tell me about it
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