Digital Mobile Radio (DMR)

Digital Mobile Radio
(DMR)
INTR O DUCTIO N TO DMR
Don Price – KB5VP
Agenda
This is an introduction (not radio programming) to operating amateur radio DMR. Minimum needed to start
having fun!
Covers the use of repeaters which are connected via NEDECN C-Bridge service
To be covered:
Status of DMR
Getting started in DMR
DMR Talk Groups
DMR Zones
Scan Groups
Useful and interesting DMR tools and information resources
What is DMR - Digital Mobile Radio
100% digital only radio communications over the VHF, or UHF frequencies.
Based on open public standards world wide accessible to any manufacture
Technology is extensively used through out the world
Authorized by the FCC for amateur use ~5 years ago.
Growing in use by amateurs around the world.
Supports Voice, Text, and Data over VHF and UHF
Most repeaters are linked over the Internet and world wide accessible
DMR Summary – Registered Users
United States
World Wide
Germany
United Kingdom
9,100
20,263
2,844
1,775
DMR Subscribers by State
35
UNITED-STATES
ALABAMA
28
UNITED-STATES
IOWA
324
UNITED-STATES
ARIZONA
112
UNITED-STATES
KANSAS
80
UNITED-STATES
ARKANSAS
21
UNITED-STATES
KENTUCKY
965
UNITED-STATES
CALIFORNIA
6
UNITED-STATES
LOUISIANA
575
UNITED-STATES
COLORADO
31
UNITED-STATES
MAINE
338
UNITED-STATES
CONNECTICUT
120
UNITED-STATES
MARYLAND
4
UNITED-STATES
DELAWARE
197
UNITED-STATES
MASSACHUSETTS
5
UNITED-STATES
DISTRICT-OF-COLUMBIA
502
UNITED-STATES
MICHIGAN
32
UNITED-STATES
MINNESOTA
554
UNITED-STATES
FLORIDA
12
UNITED-STATES
MISSISSIPPI
111
UNITED-STATES
GEORGIA
86
UNITED-STATES
MISSOURI
1
UNITED-STATES
GUAM
9
UNITED-STATES
MONTANA
113
UNITED-STATES
HAWAII
73
UNITED-STATES
NEBRASKA
16
UNITED-STATES
IDAHO
244
UNITED-STATES
NEVADA
397
UNITED-STATES
ILLINOIS
116
UNITED-STATES
NEW-HAMPSHIRE
349
UNITED-STATES
INDIANA
277
UNITED-STATES
NEW-JERSEY
DMR Subscribers by State
37
UNITED-STATES
NEW-MEXICO
580
UNITED-STATES
NEW-YORK
589
UNITED-STATES
NORTH-CAROLINA
262
UNITED-STATES
184
94
UNITED-STATES
WASHINGTON
40
UNITED-STATES
WEST-VIRGINIA
OHIO
93
UNITED-STATES
WISCONSIN
UNITED-STATES
OKLAHOMA
56
UNITED-STATES
WYOMING
7
UNITED-STATES
OREGON
147
UNITED-STATES
PENNSYLVANIA
12
UNITED-STATES
RHODE-ISLAND
303
UNITED-STATES
SOUTH-CAROLINA
2
UNITED-STATES
SOUTH-DAKOTA
142
UNITED-STATES
TENNESSEE
295
UNITED-STATES
TEXAS
55
UNITED-STATES
UTAH
22
UNITED-STATES
VERMONT
168
UNITED-STATES
VIRGINIA
New England Repeaters*
1JCL-Coventry
W1LAS-Prospect
G2K-Bridgeport
1JCL-Colchester
K1JCL-Killingly
W1NLK-Norwalk
1OFJ-Northford
A1HCX-Seymour
* http://nedecn.org/
KA1OAN-Northampton-U
K1XML-Marblehead
W1IMD-Sargents Purchase
K1IMD-Mattituck
K1LVA-Malden
W1WNS-Madbury
WA2VNV-Selden
NE1B-Eastham
K1DQ-Shapleigh
K1QVC-Derry
K1MOT-Hudson-V
KM3T-Amherst-U
AE1C-Southboro-U
W1IMD-Portland
K1MOT-Hudson-U
AE1C-Southboro-V
K1RE-Gilford
KA1QFE-Northampton-V
K1OX-Bow
K1OX-Chester
N1IW-Chelmsford
KE1V-Reading
W1JFR-Walpole
K1JC-Sanbornton
K1RE-Boston-U
W1BOS-Boston-U
N1IPA-Topsham
WR1VT-Brattleboro-U
W1LH-Calais
W1UWS-Mt. Ascutney-U
W1RCF-Manchester
W1IMD-Pico Peak-U
K1RE temporary for W
under repair
Other interesting DMR info
Vermont has gone from 0 to 3 DMR repeaters
in 2015!
Coverage is a good 1/3 of the state or more
Near solid coverage from MA border to north
of WRJ on I-91
Near Solid coverage from WRJ to Exit 8 I-89
More in the works in Vermont!
DMR concepts
INTR O DUCTIO N TO CO NCEPTS A ND GETTING STA R TED
Terminology
Code Plug (CP)
Digital radio requires more information than a tradition analog radio. This programming gives the operator new features and much
greater flexibility when operating, and use resource efficiently. In the early days to program a radio, the radio shop would use a
memory stick called a Code Plug, which was inserted into the radio, to program the features. Today this programming is done on our
laptops using specialized programs provided by the radio manufacturer. The program file in the radio is now referred to as the Code
Plug (CP)
Code Plug Software (CPS)
Customer Programming Software program provided by the manufacturer of the radio to create a Code Plug file and program the
radio. Each CPS is unique to each manufacture and often unique to each radio.
Talk Group (TG)
A virtual radio channel on a DMR repeater or radio. IE: Vermont State Wide TG
Zone
Channels on a radio are organized into Zones. A Zone is selected to access the Talk Groups (TG) stored in the zone.
Scan Group (SG)
CPS allows the operator to define different Scan Groups and what TG are defined in the group. When the Scan Group is selected and
scanned those TG are monitored.
Terminology
Talk Around
Same as Simplex on analog radio.
Channel
A definition on a DMR radio which contains all the required data (TG, CC, TS, freq) to use a TG on a
specific repeater or mode. IE: TG3. One Channel is normally defined for each TG defined on a specific
repeater.
Contacts
A directory on a radio which contains the definition of each TG numeric value, or definition of amateur
radio calls signs and the subscriber ID assigned.
Color Code (CC)
Coding of the repeater Time Slide for frequency sharing.
Getting started
Amateurs must register with the central DMR database to obtain a Subscriber ID.
An amateur cannot operate a DMR radio without the Subscriber ID.
http://www.dmr-marc.net/cgi-bin/trbo-database/register.cgi
Each radio must be defined with a subscriber ID.
Amateurs normally will not register no more than two IDs.
◦ 1) Portable radio
◦ 2) Mobile radio
Encouraged to register up two subscriber ids per
call sign only.
Radios with the same Subscriber ID – only one can be
in use at the same time.
ate
Subscriber ID number structure
riber ID is structured some what like worldwide phone numbers
3150007
Unique assigned number
State
United States
North America
DMR Repeater
Assigned to a coordinated frequency pair on
UHF, or VHF.
Each repeater is configured to support around
8 different channels (Talk Groups). Sometimes
more.
Services
◦ Voice
◦ Text (Some limitations)
◦ Call alerting (Some limitations)
Pause for Questions
W1UWS - Talk Groups
Wide Area
Regional/Lo
Geo A
1,000+
World Wide (WW)*
World Wide calling frequency
500+
World Wide English (WWE)*
World Wide English only calling frequency
100+
North America (NA)
Mexico, United States, and Canada
50+
North East Region (N East Region)
PA, NJ, NY, CT, VT, RI, MA, NH, ME
50
New England Wide (NE Wide)
CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, ME, New Brunswick
30+
New England Region (Region North)
RI, MA, VT, NH, ME
3
Vermont State Wide (VT)
State of Vermont
15+
New Hampshire State Wide (NH)
State of New Hampshire
15+
Massachusetts (MA)*
State of Massachusetts*
25+
Southern New England(Region South)
RI, CT**
1
Local
W1UWS Only
1
Parrot
Record and Replay
2+
TAC 310*
Tactical 310* (Ragchew)
TT Channel (OnDemand) Only in used when demanded on repeater – 5 min timer
** Future PTT Demand C
Other Vermont Repeaters Talk Groups
WR1VT – Brattleburo
◦ Same as W1UWS Except: MA fulltime channel
W1IMD – Pico Peak
◦ Same as W1UWS Except: NH PTT, No MA
DMR Operating Conventions
Use the smallest area (Talk Group) needed to support communications
On very wide channels (Talk Groups) call and move to smaller area. (WW,
WWE, NA)
Announce yourself – Do not Ker’chunk the repeater
◦ You subscriber ID is transmitted on every transmission
◦ Seen on every radio monitoring the Talk Group
◦ Seen on every web site monitoring the network
◦ Logged into the network logs.
Never Call CQ
To announced yourself:
This is <your call sign> monitoring < Talk Group>
◦ For those scanning it is best to announced your Talk Group so that others can find
you.
Other Operating Conventions
To make a call to another station
N5ITU this is <your call sign> on North America.
W1RFQ this is <your call sign> on Region North
To test or check your radio
This is <your call sign> for a radio check on Local.
To Transmit on DMR Repeater
1.
Select the Zone you want to use.
2.
Select the channel (Talk Group) you want to use
3.
Press the PTT
4.
Wait for the confirmation tone that you have the repeater
5.
Make your transmission
6.
Release the PTT
7.
Hear the confirmation tone – end of transmission (optional)
Notes:
Transmission are done on one channel (Talk Group) at a time.
No encryption is used – encryption prohibited by FCC
No private calls – others cannot use the repeater time slot when private calls used
Demonstrate a DMR
transmission
USE THE NETWO R K MO NITO R
Pause for Questions
Other concepts unique
to DMR
Zones and Talk Groups
Comparing Analog FM to Digital DMR
ANALOG FM REPEATERS
DMR DIGITAL REPEATERS
One repeater one channel one frequency
One repeater and one frequency
Most often repeater stand-alone, not linked
One repeater many Talk Groups (Channels)
If linked may require link to be brought up.
No hierarchy or repeater not organization by
purpose – wide open for any use and fixed
geography
Most DMR repeaters are linked via Internet
Operating across repeaters is seamless and automatic
ONDemand PTT Talk Groups easy to bring up
Talk Groups can be dedicated to one purpose
◦ IE: language, Events, Public Service, etc.
Talk Groups by design
◦ Can be limited by geography
◦ Or, not limited by geography
Can roam across states and access the same Talk Group
Talk about Zones
Most radios arrange access around ZONES
Zone are much more flexible on DMR than memories used o
Analog FM repeaters
◦ More options to arrange by repeater, geographical area, and by
Group purpose.
Zones – A group of channels (Talk Groups).
◦ Zone – 16 memories – which you organize
◦ Radio can support from 1 to over 50 zones. Dependent on mem
Organized and defined by the radio programmer – independ
the repeater
Zones can be designed for a single purpose
◦ By language
◦ Purpose – Skywarn, Events
◦ By geography or coverage area
More on Zones
Defining Zones
◦ One Zone can be assigned to one repeater to cover all the Talk
Groups on the repeater (More Traditional)
◦ One Zone can cover one Talk Group but over many different
repeaters (Roaming)
◦ One Zone can cover one type of repeater
◦ IE All analog repeaters in one zone
◦ One Zone can cover all conventional simplex frequencies
Radio Channels
Talk Groups in the radio are defined in the channel.
A Channel contains all the data need to
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Use a Talk Group (TG)
On a specific frequency and frequency split
Channel Band
Scan Group
Color Code (CC)
Time Slice (TS)
Channel Name
◦ Every Channel is given a name
◦ Name refers normally to the TG defined in the channel.
Essential Information
shown here
Each CPS will be
arranged differently
Some radios can import
Channel Definitions
DMR Zones by all Talk Groups
One repeater ---- Many Talk Groups
– W1UWS Mt Ascuteny
alk Groups 1 - 16
– W1IMD Pico Peak
alk Groups 1 - 16
– WR1VT Brattleburo
alk Groups 1 - 16
W1UWS
Zone
W1IMD
Zone
WR1VT
Zone
WW
WWE
NA
NE US
New England Wide
Region North
VT
NH
MA
Local
WW
WWE
NA
NE US
New England Wide
Region North
VT
NH
Local
WW
WW
NA
NE U
New
Regi
VT
NH
MA
Loca
TAC 310
TAC 311
Parrot
TAC 310
TAC 311
Parrot
TAC
TAC
Parr
DMR Zones by same Talk Group
One Zone ----- Many Repeaters & Talk Groups
– Vermont State Wide
alk Groups 1 - 16
– New Hampshire State
alk Groups 1 - 16
– New England Region
alk Groups 1 - 16
VT
Zone
W1UWS VT
W1MD VT
WR1VT VT
NH
Zone
REG NOR
Zone
K1MOT NH
KM3T NH
MT WSH NH
K1RE NH
AE1C NH
W1UWS NH
W1MD NH
WR1VT NH
K1
KM
MT
K1
AE
W
N
W
W
AG
K1
K1
K1
NI
W
DMR Zones for same type of repeater
One Zone ----- By Repeaters type
– Simplex
alk Groups 1 - 16
– Analog FM
alk Groups 1 - 16
– Special Event
alk Groups 1 - 16
Simplex
Zone
446.075D
433.450D
441.000D
446.500D
446.000S
Analog
Zone
Event
Zone
W1IMD
W1BOS
N1DAS
W1FN
KA1UAG
KU1R
W1ET
44
hat could be define on a typical radio
UWS
W1IMD
PIC
WR1VT
BRAT
MT WSH
K1MOT
HUD
AE1C
SBOR
W1BOS
BOS
NE REG
VT
STATE
NH
STATE
W
WW
WW
WW
WW
WW
WW
W1UWS
W1UWS
W1UWS
WE
WWE
WWE
WWE
WWE
WWE
WWE
W1IMD
W1IMD
WR1VT
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
WR1VT
WR1VT
W1IMD
NE US
NE US
NE US
NE US
NE US
NE US
K1MOT
US
WID NE WID NE WID NE WID NE WID NE WID NE WID AE1C
G
R
REG
NOR
REG
NOR
REG
NOR
REG
NOR
REG
NOR
REG
NOR
TAC310
TAC310
TAC310
TAC310
TAC310
TAC310
CAL
LOCAL
LOCAL
LOCAL
LOCAL
LOCAL
LOCAL
ROT
PARROT
PARROT
PARROT
PARROT
PARROT
PARROT
VT
VT
NH
NH
NH
MA
NH
NH
MA
MA
NH
MA
NH
EMER
310
MT WSH
K1MOT
MT WSH
W1BOS
AE1C
ME
STATE
FM
Demonstrate Talk
Groups
USE THE PEER WATCH
NW.NEDECN.ORG PEER
Pause for Questions
Scan Groups
Scan List
Use to define what Talk Groups are scanned when scan button pressed
Scan list are defined and controlled at the radio – nothing in the repeater
Most radios support multiple scan lists
Scan list function and behavior will vary across radios - features
Most common scan list – Scan all the Talk Groups on a repeater.
◦ The scan list would match the Talk Groups in the Zone
Other common Scan List used
◦ Scan all the Talk Groups defined in a Zone
◦ Only scan DMR Talk Groups (exclude analog and simplex (Talk Around))
◦ Scan only Wide Area Talk groups – avoid listening to nonsense chatter
Examples of Scan List (Group)
2
1
Scan only Wide Area
Scan all Talk Groups – Exclude Simplex (Talk Around)
Zone and the Talk Groups in the zone
Scan by Talk Group
me type of Talk Group is defined in a zone then scanned.
raveling in an area this is a method to continue monitoring a Talk Group as you travel
Scan all Talk Groups – Exclude Simple (Talk Around)
Talk Groups in the zone
different repeater
Talk Groups in the zone
different repeater
Talk Groups in the zone
different repeater
YOUR RADIO
DMR REPEATER
CHANNEL IS A CONCEPT CREATED AND DEFINED ON CHANNELS ARE NOT A REPEATER CONCEPT
THE RADIO (LIKE MEMORY ON ANALOG)
WHEN CREATING A CHANNEL MUST USE THE
FREQUENCY DEFINED ON THE REPEATER
FREQUENCY USED IS DEFINED ON THE REPEATER
TALK GROUPS ARE CREATED ON THE RADIO TO
MATCH THE REPEATER
TALK GROUPS ARE DEFINED ON THE REPEATER
TALK GROUPS WHEN USED MUST USED THE TIME
SLOTS DEFINED ON THE REPEATER
TIME SLOTS ARE DEFINED ON THE REPEATER
ZONES ARE DEFINED ON THE RADIO (LIKE MEMORY
BANKS ON A SCANNER)
ZONES NOT A REPEATER CONCEPT
SCAN GROUPS ARE DEFINED ON THE RADIO
SCAN GROUPS ARE NOT A REPEATER CONCEPT
WHEN CREATING A CHANNEL ON THE RADIO THE
COLOR CODE DEFINED ON THE REPEATER IS USED
COLOR CODE IS DEFINED ON THE REPEATER
Digital Channel
Scan
Repeater
RX
Group
TX
Contact
DMR
Data
Color Code
Slot
TX Contact Name
Zone
RX Group
Channel Name
Frequency
Pause for Questions
Useful Web Sites
NW.NEDECN.ORG (Minimal Netwatch)
NW.NEDECN.ORG (Peer)
Technical Web Sites
http://trbo.org/
Fantastic Web Site Full of DMR information
http://DMR-MARC.ORG National DMR Coordinating group
http://NEDECN.ORG
New England Region DMR Coordinating Group
http://Yahoo.com
Yahoo Groups for your radio manufacture
http://nw.nedecn.org
Live status and activing on the DMR network
ETSI reference
Conclusion
Learn to make or change your own code plugs.
DMR repeaters are much more busy and active over conventional analog repeaters
Can stay in touch of friends, and home every where there is DMR service
Embrace the new – this won’t be the same as a legacy analog repeater
Support the efforts of local clubs DMR projects, getting others active, and the NEDECN.
Can guarantee you’ll be thinking about many more new radios that you need!
Above all ----- HAVE FUN
Acknowledgements
KM1T – Dave Pascoe
K1JC – Joe Ciarcia
AB1NZ – Sid Johnston
AG1A – Wayne Wagner
K1KQI – Barry Allen
Others whom were great help but my failure to remember
Special thank you to NE1B - Bill Barber
I could not have done so much so quickly without his clear
answers to my questions and patience to help.
l the errors on these slides are my own
The End
CN Sept 2015 picnic and
mming party
ckup Slides
Basic structure of radio program
Contacts
◦ Lists all person and group contacts
Zones
◦ Is a group of talk groups (channels) on one repeater
Scan list
◦ Is a list of talk groups (channels) which are scanned.
Digital Channel
◦ A talk group which has been assigned to one repeater
RX Group
◦ A group which contains a receive talk group. Group contains one talk group.
TX Contact
◦ A group defined in the contact list
Digital Channel
Scan
Repeater
RX
Group
TX
Contact
DMR
Data
Color Code
Slot
TX Contact Name
Zone
RX Group
Channel Name
Frequency
Digital Channel
Scan
W1UWS
Repeater
RX
Group
TX
Contact
DMR
Data
5
2
Zone
Vermont
VT_State
W1UWS
W1UWS VT
448.475
Zone
Channel
Name
Frequency
RX Group
TX Contact
Slot
Color
Code
W1UWS Mt
Ascuteny
W1UWS VT
448.475
VT_State
Vermont
2
5
W1UWS NH
448.475
NH_State
New Hampshire
2
5
W1UWS Local
448.475
Local
Local
2
5
W1UWS
Digital Channel
Scan
W1UWS
Repeater
RX
Group
TX
Contact
DMR
Data
5
2
Zone
Vermont
VT_State
W1UWS
W1UWS VT
448.475