Looking for more info on our P-25 System instead? Click here ►

📡 Welcome to DMR – Digital Mobile Radio

Ham radio isn’t just analog anymore. Beyond HF, 2-meter, and 70-centimeter FM bands lies a world of digital voice communication, and DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) is one of the most popular modes.

🔁 What Is DMR?

DMR is a digital protocol that allows for:

• Clear voice transmission

• Efficient use of bandwidth (two time slots per frequency)

• Worldwide communication via internet-linked repeaters and hotspots

🗼 Local Access

In our area, we have a few DMR repeaters that can be reached with a low-powered system and an outdoor antenna. But for most operators, the easiest and most flexible way to get on DMR is through a hotspot.

🌐 Hotspots: Your Gateway to Global QSOs

A hotspot connects wirelessly to the internet via your home router or smartphone using WiFi. The most popular option is the Multi-Mode Digital Voice Modem (MMDVM), which supports DMR, D-Star, System Fusion (YSF), and more.

Hotspots typically use:

• Raspberry Pi boards (Pi Zero or Pi 3 are common)

• Pi-Star software, which manages your digital modes and network connections

With a hotspot and WiFi, you can hold a QSO with someone across the country—or across the globe—right from your HT.

📶 Getting Started with DMR – Digital Mobile Radio

DMR opens up a whole new world of amateur radio communication, and while the setup may seem daunting at first, it’s absolutely worth the effort. Here’s what you need to know to get started—and stay connected.

🆔 Step One: Get Your DMR ID

Before you can transmit on DMR, you’ll need to:

• Visit RadioID.net to request your DMR ID

• Create an account with the BrandMeister Network (or other DMR networks)

• Once logged in, check out BrandMeister’s Hoseline to listen to live DMR traffic—no ID required to monitor

📡 Hotspot vs. Repeater

While there are a few DMR repeaters in our area reachable with low power and a good antenna, the easiest way to get on DMR is with a hotspot.

• Most popular: MMDVM (Multi-Mode Digital Voice Modem)

• Runs on: Raspberry Pi boards (Pi Zero or Pi 3)

• Software: Pi-Star

• Connects via: WiFi (home router or smartphone hotspot)

Properly configured, your MMDVM hotspot can also support:

• DMR

• P-25

• Yaesu Fusion (YSF)

• Icom D-Star

• NXDN 

• And many more...

🧠 Programming Your DMR Radio

Programming a DMR radio can be tricky—even for seasoned hams. But there’s help:

🔌 What’s a Codeplug?

A codeplug is a pre-built configuration file containing:

• Talkgroups

• Channels

• Zones

• Radio settings

With the right Consumer Programming Software (CPS) for your radio, you can upload a codeplug, customize your callsign and DMR ID, and be on the air in minutes.

⚙️ Matching Your Hotspot

When using a hotspot, make sure each channel in your codeplug matches:

• Frequency

• Color Code

• Time Slot

This ensures proper communication with the hotspot and avoids confusion.

🧰 Tools to Make It Easier

• N0GSG DMR Contact Manager

• Automates codeplug creation and editing

• Supports bulk changes, sorting, and format conversion

• Allows export/import via spreadsheet (CSV)

Most CPS software supports CSV import, but N0GSG’s tool makes the process smoother and more flexible.

📁 Codeplug Files from JCARC

Your friendly website editor (Gil) has been working on custom codeplugs with all the right tweaks:

• RTD files for TYT and AnyTone radios

• CSV versions for easy import or conversion

• Compatible with the correct version of CPS

These files will be available for download soon—stay tuned

N0GSG DMR Connect Manager ► This is the latest version (2.7) as of the time of the last page update (Mar 6, 2023) for Windows. Windows will probably nag at you because it's not from the Microsoft Store, but run it anyway. It seems to be safe since it came directly from the publisher's website. I've had some problems with it loading the latest AnyTone CPS files, but the Anytone CPS is able to create a file that the connect manage can work with. It also works fine with the TYT and Beofeng radio files.

The documentation for N0GSG DMR Connect Manager is available here:
N0GSG DMR Content Manager Docs ►

Here are available code plugs on our site:
AnyTone D878UV (W9JCA version) ► - just remember to change to your info. (likely compatible with other AnyTone radios with proper CPS)
AnyTone D878UV - Ohio Codeplug ► - Found this older codeplug on the Internet and updated the contact list to Sept 9, 2021. There are about 180,000 contacts and something around 1,100 talkgroups in the codeplug, so just be aware of that. Change your info, as mentioned above. Has some of the Ohio analog repeaters, as well.

Anytone D578UVIII Mobile - East Central Indiana Codeplug with repeaters and APRS enabled. By request.

TYT MD-380 UHF Codeplug (W9JCA version) ► - again, remember to change your info. It seems to be compatible with MD-9600 mobile, but you can do a lot of modifications to the file on the 9600 since it  can display 2 talkgroups at once.

Here's a link to the folder that contains the
CSV information for the AnyTone D878UVII handheld that should also work in the 578 mobile ► (and others?)

Baofeng DM-1701 Codeplug 446.100 Hotspot. No local channels ►

Maybe you should build your own codeplug.
Indiana Digital Ham  Radio ► - This is a  website that has what seems to be the latest on Indiana repeaters and their talkgroups. Also, see the live website in the next section.

To see the talkgroup matrix directly on the originating website, just click here.