Digital Mobile Radio: Hotspots
Ham radio is not all about analog HF, 2 meter or 70 centimeter FM bands. Here, we'll introduce you to DMR, or Digital Mobile Radio. Though we do have a few DMR repeaters in our area that can be reached with a relatively low powered system with an outdoor antenna, the best way of using your radio and getting on DMR is a hotspot, but we'll get more into repeaters below. A hotspot generally connects wirelessly to the internet through a router or a smart phone using WiFi. The most popular hotspot is the Multi-Mode Digital Voice Modem, or MMDVM for short. You'll find them built from different flavors of Raspberry PI microcomputer boards (usually Pi Zero or Pi 3) and running software called Pi-Star. With WiFi internet access, they can open up a world of communications right in your hand.
Just so you know, you will need to get a DMR ID from RadioID.net and create an account with Brandmeister Network to make the setup complete, though there are other DMR networks you can access. Once you get your digital id and have logged into Brandmeister, have a listen to live DMR through Brandmeister's Hoseline to see what to expect. You don't actually need your ID to hear the Hoseline, however.
Though the hotspot configuration is generally pretty easy, programming a DMR radio can at first be a daunting task for the beginner and a time-consuming one for pros. There is help out there, however. Codeplugs for your specific radio and area are usually pretty easy to come by. A codeplug is simply a list of talkgroups, channels, and zones that, using specific software for your radio, can be copied directly to its memory. Besides a small amount of customization along with your callsign and digital id, the hard work is done. If you're using a hotspot, just make sure the radio frequency, color code, and time slot matches that of the hotspot on each channel. Easy, but it will take time, especially if there are a lot of talkgroups and analog frequencies you want include in your codeplug.
To help make it a little easier, you can use the N0GSG DMR Connect Manager (below) to help automate that task or export it to a spreadsheet, make changes, then import it back. Most CPS (consumer programming software) is capable of doing this, as well. But the NOGSG software can help move, sort, convert, and do bulk changes.
If you are using a MMDVM hotspot, it can be used not only for DMR, but properly configured will automatically recognize P-25, Yaesu Fusion, Icom D-Star, and several other digital modes.
Your website editor (Gil) has been working on a couple of codeplugs with all of the tweaks. They're RTD files that should work for some TYT and AnyTone radios with the correct version of the Consumer Programming Software (CPS). I'll include a comma separated value (CSV) version of the code plug that you likely can upload into your own software, or you can convert it by downloading and running the N0GSG Connect manager.
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.
Digital Mobile Radio: Repeaters
Below is a chart showing Indiana DMR repeaters, offsets, and color codes along with other information including the talkgroups accessible on each. These are not hotspots, but individual repeaters that can be programmed into your codeplug. Program each talkgroup into your codeplug that you'd like to be able to use on that repeater, but be aware that not all talkgroups are available on all repeaters. If you've already programmed a hotspot codeplug and if the same talkgroups appear on the repeaters below, you won't have to re-enter. But you will have to create a channel for each talkgroup that you want to use on a repeater. In the channel, you have to include the a name that will help you identify the channel, transmit and receive frequencies, color code, and time slot. Next, specify which talkgroup you'd like to use for that channel. You'll create a new channel for each of the other talkgroups you want to access on that repeater. Learning how to copy and paste channels will save lots of time (CTRL-C and CTRL-V). Just remember to change both the name of the channel and the talkgroup. Duplicate names aren't allowed. Also, make sure the time slot for each channel is correct since most repeaters use both.
Be aware that talkgroups can be assigned to multiple channels and channels can be assigned to multiple zones. That means you only have to enter each once in your programming software. It's suggested that you initially create a zone for each repeater that you plan to use, then populate that zone with the channels you've created for that repeater. Add the that talkgroup into each repeater zone that you have created. Once that's done, you can create a new zone of just repeaters that carry a single talkgroup. For example, if you're on the Crossroads talkgroup and are moving out of range of your nearby repeater but into the range of another, you simply change channels in that zone rather than having to switch zones and finding that channel in the new zone.
Some DMR radios can search for a specific talkgroup as you move out of range of one repeater into another's area. An example of this would be the Anytone D578UVIII Plus available at one of our sponsor's sites: BridgeCom Systems. Using that link, if you buy any products there, our club receive a small commission that helps us a great deal. The biggest advantage of buying from BridgeCom Systems is the free BridgeCom University where they teach you step-by-step how to use your radio, codeplugs, and all kinds of other valuable info.
NOTE: In the live speadsheet below, unless you hit the flyout button in the upper right of the box below, you won't see the talkgroup numbers or descriptions. Any updates on the originating website are instantly shown below so you'll always get the latest listing available.
To see the talkgroup matrix directly on the originating website, just click here.
Dave Hull: Powerpoint Presentation on Digital Voice
digital_voice_for_amateur_radio_kc6n.pdfDave Casler on Digital Hotspots
Used with permission
Used with permission