So I took and passed the technician level test about a year ago and am having a hell of time figuring “this” out. I still can’t get my radio programmed. I bought a couple of hand held radios for emergencies, etc. It’s really frustrating not being able to grasp this. I’ve bought books and this morning went to a local club for what I thought was going to be assistance getting off the ground with DMR. That was like trying to drink from a fire hose. I left even more frustrated. I’m not an idiot, but I am more geared towards mechanical concepts and this is just kicking my butt. Suggestions anyone?

You need an Elmer (mentor).

I'd go back to that club and try to make a connection with another member, who can give you the one-on-one coaching that will get you over this hump.
Should not be too hard to cull one from the herd... generally, hams are gregarious by nature.

RT Systems software for your particular radios. Easy to integrate your area repeaters into a set of frequencies to put into memory. Software comes with cable to program your radio. Repeaterbook.com is the source of all your local repeaters. Together, you can be on the air in about 30 minutes.

I’m assuming you’re trying to set up a 2M/440 HT or mobile. If you bought one of the big three, Icom, Yaesu or Kenwood, those are pretty straightforward and come with good manuals.

If you bought one of those cheap Bo-fangs that might be the issue.

Like someone suggested, go to repeater.com or get a repeater directory from ARRL for the repeaters/frequencies in the area you want to operate in, and follow the step by step instructions for your radio from your manual that will tell you how to input freqs and tone codes, and go for it. 73.

Edited to add the suggestion on programming software. Go to HRO’s website and see what they offer either proprietary for your radio of one developed by another company.

DMR in general is not user friendly. It was created for commercial use and except for the GD77 open source project the way to program channels is fairly terrible.

To program analog channels is not as bad.

I pretty much wish I had never spent money on any DMR radios.

Which radio did you get? I can probably point you to a youtube resource that might be able to help.

Also would be good to know what you're end goals are examples: short distance talking between radios, repeater work, or internet bridged connections using a repeater or personal RF hotspot to talk groups that people around the World are in.

Yup, sorry. More info on my part would be helpful. Lol. I have an Icom ID-52a and an AnyTone 878 UVII plus. I’ve also got a cheapo Baofeng around here. Honestly I really just want some local repeaters programmed to talk to nearby folks. DMR, internet radio would be cool but it’s not the main objective.

Bridgecom has some in depth YT videos on programming the 878II Plus.
here is one for analog Simplex, repeater is only a couple settings different.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNa3FmKAOno

CHIRP for the BAOFENG
Here is a step by step from Josh at the HRCC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufB9FXsLpKY

I have never had an ICOM HT,
M0FXB owns one and has a bunch of videos for the model.
Here is his video to use the front panel of the radio to program a repeater in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyBWcrhuAaQ

^^ Thank you for that, eyrich!

OP, sorry I missed the DMR aspect. I run a Kenwood 2 meter HT a Yaesu 2 meter mobile as a base that are both analog. I have a Yaesu digital 2/440 HT, but I run it in analog mode. So my advice to you might be off. Sorry. As someone else suggested maybe find an experienced ham to sit down with you to help. Good luck, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.

Easiest one to get going will be the Baofeng using CHIRP. Siple dual band, get your local repeaters set.

The ICOM is a high HT, going to be more complicated, probably best of with RT software assuming it is avail for that.

The Anytone DMR is a whole nuther beast and you really need to make sure you have a grasp on the analog basics before trying to wrap your head around DMR. It really is a full time job for a month o two to real learn and understand it. I started getting into it a few years back but then had to go to back burner. Back to square one on my DMR stuff but the VHF/UHF is easy to jump right back into.


Good luck, KI7YQW

OLD school analog type signals for me.... on hf / vhf / uhf/ with some echo link thrown in...As far as programing the "rt systems" / "chirp" / etc are with the help of a computer is a lot easier than trying to do it manually plus have a back up if radio needs to be reprogramed with your preferences... Right now the DMR just does not melt my butter... from what i understand DMR is a generic(not a radio manufactor specific) user friendly form of digital communication .. unlike "fussion" or some of the other systems that are radio manufactor specific that will not work with on other networks. Good luck and find you a "elmer" and get some one on one help. ......................................... KL7JIU aka drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by drill sgt:
Right now the DMR just does not melt my butter...KL7JIU aka drill sgt.

"Melt My Butter" LOL i am SO STEALING this one, never heard it before, going to be using it now. Thanks very much! LOL

DE N5USS Gene

I would never describe DMR as user friendly, it requires non-intuitive and redundant programming due to having been developed for commercial operations.

While being an open standard - the 2 most active japanese amateur radio manufactures (icom, yaesu) do not make DMR radios. Mostly what we get is expensive public service/business radios and cheap chinese ones.

Here is hoping the M17 Project takes off
https://m17project.org/
an open source digital standard by hams for hams.