Anyone on the forum set up and using DMR radios?


I bought one of the Anytone 878 HT's several years ago and started learning DMR but other things became the priority and it got set aside.

Decide to dust it off and get back into trying to figure out the DMR stuff.

Devoted several hours today to getting the Firmware and Codeplug updated/current and it seems to be working.

Instead of resurrecting an old thread, thought I would start a new on DMR specific to see if anyone else is doing it.

If so, wouldn't mind taking advantage of the long range opportunities to talk to some of the members.

Anyone?

Pretty active on AZ TURBO NET and having fun with code plugs. My call is N5WMT.

73

I’m following to learn. Tech here and have really active local monthly or weekly 2m nets in clubs all around me. The state of FL EOC runs Skywarn and locals all over facilitate really great coverage. I can hit the repeaters tx and rx with YAESU handhelds but really most activity in digital seems to be Fusion or Dstar. Early last year, i bought the really pricey 5r handheld and never took advantage - life directed my energies elsewhere... Sold it off for 60% of my money to a guy in a discord group that teaches Ham to youth in his vocational school class and then I built a big battery pack and bought a spare Ft-60r. I feel like I may be ok just listening to SW for global emergencies and having the tech allows me to practice for the local stuff now.

I was planning on Gen testing when we suffered a pretty crappy personal loss earlier this year. It’s been 6 months and this is the first ham energy I’ve expended. Anyway -73

quote:

Originally posted by BigNC:
The state of FL EOC runs Skywarn and locals all over facilitate really great coverage.

Did you mean SARnet?

Not yet, although I plan to in the future. My next radio purchase is on hold until I see what Kenwood brings to the market with the TM-D750A. If they really knock it out of the park that will be my next radio, if not I'll probably get a DMR capable mobile instead.

Just for “clarity” would like if folks specified what “flavor” of digital radio they are using.

My fault, since I really didn’t in my original post. I alluded it to it by mentioning the radio is an Anytone 878. All the options can get confusing, especially for folks new to it.

Several HAM threads but if we can, I would like this one to focus on Digital radio use



For the non-digital or new to digital folks here is a real basic primer on digital operations


The main digital options are:

DMR - Several makers (Anytone, Baofeng, Aliunce, Raddioddity, etc)
Fusion (C4FM)- Yaesu
D-Star - Icom/Kenwood

While there is no “standard” I think DMR is probably the most popular. They are all different with Yaesu and Icom being proprietary vs “DMR” generally referring to the Anytoneand don’t really interact with each other, however there is some ability to “port” one technology to another for cross platform communication.


Using a digital radio is somewhat still reliant on having repeaters for which ever standard you are using. My area has a pretty good repeater network covering the local area with access to groups all over the Pacific Northwest.


What really opens up the potential is using a radio with a “Hotspot” that provides a direct internet connection opening up the world.



I found this article helpful in giving a pretty good overview of the three systems

https://www.besthamradio.com/dmr-vs-d-star-vs-fusion/



Currently I am trying to get up to speed on DMR using the Anytone HT. I do also have a hotspot I have set up for use with My Yaesu digital capable radios (Ft-70, Ft5d) but also only used briefly before having to set aside. Now that I have the Anytone DMR current and sorted getting back to the hotspot is the next “project” on the HAM to do list.



While I do have my General license, I am still very much a neophyte and new to anything beyond standard 2m/70cm “regular” HAM use. Those with more experience, pleas feel free to to chime in and correct me if I got something wrong.


So, with that said would love to hear others experiences with Digital radio, including what system/equipment they are using and what talk groups they listen in on.

quote:

Originally posted by DrDan:

quote:

Originally posted by BigNC:
The state of FL EOC runs Skywarn and locals all over facilitate really great coverage.

Did you mean SARnet?

Both words were on the tip of my tongue for some reason so I must’ve picked wrong!

I just got my Tech ticket last week. Been out of radio for about 45 years so I have tons of catching up to do. KF8ESZ