D Star & DMR for beginners- Radios, Hotspots and more | K6UDA Radio

I originally did this video as part of a monthly presentation for my local ham radio club. Its got some specific references to the Auburn CA club but its a great 10,000ft level look at how D-Star works and the world of digital radio. We'll look at D-Star and DMR radios, The Openspot hotspot and a few other tidbits to get you informed enough to decide if you want to take the plunge into digital radio.

[@hipal2271]

This video is 2 years old. I’m just now seeing it. I liked in a suburban area and had DSTAR and DMR plus Yaesu System Fusion repeaters. Now I live in an area that not only is very rural but also not very amateur radio friendly. If it wasn’t for hotspots I couldn’t get out on anything. I think DMR and DSTAR are like tools. Sometimes you need one and sometimes the other. Good info and presentation

[@brianwhelan5093]

Hey Bob... As the guy said to Quasimodo, "Nice to see you're back!!" Great stuff Bob; don't leave it so long until the next one! 73, Brian EI8EJB

[@mikerosenberg7726]

Oh, and congrats as you approach 10k subscribers!

[@VA7BC]

Awesome high quality presentation for your club. Wow! Thanks for sharing with us. 73

[@sonarmb]

Going to the Phillipines diving then......So close to VK6 but so far away.... great video again mate.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Bob, Wow, been so long since last video you were next to last on my subscribed list. :-) Very good info in this video. One day will play around with all the different repeater modes. 73 WB3BJU

[@paulhastings3109]

Tnxs I have a lot to learn. Ham radio technology is going crazy. WOW 73 KQ4CDPaul

[@TheRetiredtech]

Great Video Bob

[@kevinokeefe7796]

Didn’t know you were in Auburn I’m in Sacramento would love to pick your brain on this whole dstar fusion stuff I’m so confused on what all I need to use it. Keep up the great work love the videos

[@K6UDA]

email me at [e-mail] We'll hook up and I'll tell you what I can.

[@mrm768]

Great Vid! Very informative! Thanks

[@K1OIK]

what is a vid?

[@clintoncann4390]

great video i wish in australia we had the same privilages

[@davidgrant2725]

Bob as always, You Sir are a Scholar of Ham Radio! love your Video's. and by the way, looks like i have ironed out the bug's out of my Ailunce HD-1. I hope Kenwood makes a digital version of the tri band mobile 741! that would be great. Take Care Bob. David Grant III VE7IOX

[@o00scorpion00o]

Since my last comment here I have given up on DMR simply because programming it takes too long and once familiar with it all and it's setup it works ok until something goes wrong and you are no longer as familiar with it any more and you mess up your codeplug, then it can take a very long time to fix it again. I ordered the FT-3d and should have it next week. A friend of mine got the FT-3d and all I had to do for him was program in the repeater, and his hotspot, press wires-x and search for the rooms he wanted and store them, all there in the space of about 20 mins because I was not familiar with the FT-3d, it's so simple, the way it should be and all done there from the radio, no programming codeplug nonsense. I will then learn how to crossmode to DMR if I want to talk on some DMR channels. Trust me folks, if anyone is thinking about getting into digital voice modes then for God's sake spend a little extra and get the D-Star or FT-3d. As soon as I get the FT-3d I'm selling the Anytone 878.

[@RESISTAGE]

once I went through bunch of videos on how to program DMR I realized I didn't even want to go there anymore. D star or simply analog is enough for me. I have two icoms IC7100, two yaesus FT1DR and 4 baofengs and one M0NKA MCHF qrp rig. do I need DMR? NO do I want it? NO

[@o00scorpion00o]

@@RESISTAGE DMR offers a cheap way to digital for many that's the only thing. Fusion is the absolute easiest way to get on digital it's as it should be. The only thing with DMR is that with the Openspot 3 or 4 if you program the radio and OS3/4 you can get DMR, D-Star and Fusion all from the DMR radio, that is convenient. Easiest and cheapest way to get on digital is with the DV MEga DC Stick 30 and BLUE DV for Windows, + the sound quality is actually better.

[@denisemcjunkins4391]

I just recieved my kenwood TH D74 last week. No license yet. But I am very impressed with the quality. From the start I listened to some frequencies and use the FM setting.

[@K6UDA]

Fantastic radio. You’ll love it

[@denisemcjunkins4391]

@@K6UDA thank you. I picked up bristol repeater signal yesterday. I'm working 6 days a week so it will be a bit before I get my license. The quality of the radio is excellent. 73.

[@mikerosenberg7726]

Safe travels on your trip!! What is the antenna you have on the Icom HT? Best 73, N9YB

[@dennisnicholsn3vmm890]

Hey Bob .. really enjoy listening to your videos, just picked up a Kenwood D74, Got it cheap. I was wondering though. What antenna is that on your icom id51? Have fun and be safe.

[@justincook3709]

What is the range on this hand held digital D-Star stuff??? Please and Thank You.

[@500VulcanRider]

Do you program a D-Star radio like you do a DMR one? Put in a bunch of channels each assigned to whatever group or in this case reflector you wish to talk to or do you just connect to a repeater and change as you go?

[@o00scorpion00o]

I recently got a DMR radio, the Anytone D878UV and it's a great radio but programming the code plug is seriously frustrating, complicated as hell at first but once you know what you're at the rest is seriously time consuming. Programming channels is basically entering a repeater frequency times the number of talk group and for each and every repeater out there, then if you have a hotspot you do the same for each hotspot, enter it's frequency as a channel times the number of talk groups ? wtf yes, it takes a long, long, long time and if you travel the same has to be done again for each and every repeater you use. The easy way out if you want to enter the most frequently used repeaters then use a hot spot for the rest so that wherever you go you can just fall back on the hotspot rather than the repeater but this means you have to carry a battery + hotspot around everywhere connected to your phone. Why does DMR have to be so. complicated ? well because it's designed for commercial use not for hams and while a lot of People may like to waste endless hours of their time writing a codeplug I do not. So, after all that I think I've come to the conclusion that D-star is a lot easier to get up and running, just use the GPS search for a local repeater and Bam you're on the air, not exactly sure how the talk groups work yet on D-star because I don't have one but it all seems to be a lot easier. If anyone is deciding whether to go DMR just think of the time, because even if you find a code plug you have to cut out all the irrelevant stuff you do not want or need because if you don't you'll be fumbling through the radio forever looking for all the talk groups and repeaters you want, or just enter a few local repeaters and use hotspot then and you're sorted but you'll have to use the hotspot when away from home which will require carrying a battery and hotspot or pay a lot for the openspot 3 with built in battery and if you don't want to do this and have repeaters where you're going that have DRM then you have to go through all the time and hassle of programming channels and talk groups for each and every repeater. Even an older 2nd hand D-Star has to be better, Do as Bob suggests spend the extra and get the D-Star.

[@gcopter1963]

Browsing the vast waste land of YT videos, I'm glad I came across your synthesis of what DMR is. I'm a tech, and dabbled briefly on DMR quickly moving on to YSF and DSTAR. Recently, wanted to get back on air, as I have no Amateur rigs whatsoever, I wanted to explore DMR. But, before I committed, I searched high and low for what to expect in DMR. And as I suspected, it is more than I want to chew right now. To me, the allure of DMR is plenty of cheap, chuck full of features, availability of equipment...and that's it. YSF and DSTAR, are more Ham friendly and less frustrating to get into. You sir, echo what my conclusions are, in respect to DMR.

[@yungerallenelectricalcontr6415]

Bless your heart man! I thought it was only Me! I hate DMR

[@o00scorpion00o]

@@yungerallenelectricalcontr6415 Since my post here a year ago I discovered Blue DV for Windows and the DVMega DVstick 30 which plugs into Laptop, Chromebook or Android Tablet, the Android and Chromebook versions are not as good as the windows version which is bloody fantastic. No radio, no codeplugs and can monitor DMR, D-Star and Fusion at the same time and when one becomes active you just double click on it and you're in, no waiting for gaps in transmission which can be extremely frustrating when using repeater or hotspot when people don't leave sufficient gap between transmissions. I also have the DVMega Globetrotter, this device I leave at home and can use it on all my devices all around the house or when not at home without having a dongle connected to the laptop/tablet. You need a static IP from your Internet provider and also need to make sure your ports are open on the modem in order to access from outside your home. I get great Audio reports, the TX/RX audio quality is also vastly superior. I use my Bose headset. I rarely use a radio now for digi modes unless I want to use it in the car then I will use the anytone and openspot 3.

[@brentjohnson6654]

Yes, I tend to agree with you on DMR. I am able to program the code plug for my Anytone 878 but it is time consuming. I watched a youtube video on the HRCC where the Yaesu Fusion radio (was a mobile either the FTM-400 or 300) was a lot simpler. I am considering moving to System Fusion from DMR because it is not easy to program channels on the fly. Yes it can be done but if you aren’t careful, you can be programming a Analog instead of a Digital from the front panel. I didn’t know this until I exported the code plug with the CPS and saw it was trying to program the CTSS tones which is an analog feature. Anyway, I see System Fusion as a better choice for me. Where I travel is to places in the country where D-Star and Fusion capabilities exist, but no DMR repeaters exist. Of course I could use a hotspot, but that makes me provide internet while mobile if I do. Yeah, it can all be made to work, but why work that hard? Haha. All the best, 73 de KI5HXM

[@o00scorpion00o]

​@@brentjohnson6654 Year I hear you, I since got the FT-3D and it's a whole lot better but the Audio from the FT-3D in the car is not good even with external MIC, the external MIC does improve TX/RX sound quality. I since learned how to use the openspot 3 and Anytone 878 to cross mode from DMR to Fusion and D-Star but it was a whole new level of difficulty to do this but it's fun being able to use all 3 modes from the one radio. After this I discovered Blue DV for Windows, using the DV Mega DV Stick 30, a little dongle you plug into your laptop, Android phone/tablet or Chromebook but the Windows version is really fantastic, the TX and RX sound quality is amazing too. Another neat thing is that you no longer get trapped in a busy talk group because people don't leave enough gap between transmission. You can also monitor all 3 modes at the same time and if one becomes active you double click and you're in. I now use the DV Mega Globetrotter which allows me to connect blue dv to the globetrotter from anywhere in the world so I don;t have to have a dongle plugged in all the time, I can use each device and connect to the globetrotter, you do need a static IP from your internet provider but being able to make QSOs in work, connecting to my globetrotter at home from my android phone is really cool, I can use my bluetooth headset too. Blue DV will transform how you use digi modes.

[@arthurdent8091]

Hi Bob. I just figured out the reason why the HD1 with GPS was impossible to program, the GPS function pushes down the program lists down a position. Since I was trying to follow the instructions letter-for-letter I got totally fouled up. I wish I had known that the analog side was dirty before I purchased the HD1.

[@K6UDA]

Me too. But I don't have the GPS version.

[@pechacekcp]

I need that mug.

[@J4ckieD]

Do you have to have a hotspot / internet connection to use Dstar? Looking at icom 4100. I know my local club & repeater have all the digitals bridged. I'd like to have a radio with the option of a digital mode.

[@aaronlabranche2977]

How to program why not how to use dstar video?

[@MarvinBowen]

This is the best D-star video I've seen yet. There is one other that explains deeply, too deep, and very well but I got lost in the weeds. This is a great birds-eye view. Thanks!

[@hdtravel1]

On D-Star is a reflector basically the same thing as a TalkGroup on DMR ?

[@K6UDA]

Exactly.

[@kellyblock9745]

Hey Bob, As the closest D-star repeater is 60 miles away, I am looking at setting up a hotspot. Is there a way to set one up that does not need to be tethered to a computer, something that will work thru a wifi connection and is self contained so to speak? need more videos with hot chics on your playlist

[@K6UDA]

The openspot2 does it.

[@user-vm2ke3yk9n]

Can I do dstar with a anytone 878

[@CliveDrone]

Hey Bob, did u say that you were starting a RVing youtube channel since you got yer new coach? You were in the process of installing a HF station in your RV. I am very interested in that.

[@K6UDA]

Yep. The new channel is about travel and adventure. Check it out at kzbin.info The motorhome build is still going to be on this channel.

[@brentjohnson6654]

Hey Bob, how is Idaho treating you? I understand there is a bit of snow coming down (I have some friends who moved there from Texas and am hearing a lot about that haha). I was going to ask you if you think Yaesu System Fusion would be a good way to go for VHF Mobile. Jason (HamRadio 2.0) mentions that you are the master of these digital modes, so I thought I would try to ask you. Thanks for all you do for the hobby. All the best, 73 de KI5HXM

[@K6UDA]

Lovin Idaho. As for digital modes fusion is very big here in the Magic Valley where I live so that makes perfect sense for me to use. I would say find out what is the most common in your area and go with that.

[@brentjohnson6654]

@@K6UDA yes fusion is big in northern Minnesota, where my family is from. I am kind of leaning toward fusion for my mobile. Do you still like the Shark RF hotspot (at least that is what I think it was called ). Another dumb question - do the handhelds that use these hotspots need to be in digital mode if the spot is cross banding?

[@gottago1052]

Can I monitor Aircraft....if so what's the procedure? Thanks.

[@K6UDA]

Program in the frequencies you want to monitor, listen. Simple eh?

[@schoocg]

Thanks

[@allanvarner8137]

Hi I'm new to our channel I been a ham for years but now just wanting to get into dstar and sat radio. DE: N3WYZ

[@Adralba007]

When did you think it was a good idea to record audio while driving along in a car?

[@dalemyers5096]

I think a digital ht or radio for dummies is a good idea.

[@joewilson2258]

To bad your so far away from me as I need help with my dmr radioddity GD 77 as I am pulling my hair out trying to set this up for both analog and dmr .

[@K6UDA]

Standby, I'll be doing a DG-77 and GD-77s video when I get back from my dive trip.

[@kasperabigail5998]

Is there some unwritten rule that says "thou with callsign shalt not respond to whom does not"?

[@K6UDA]

Pretty much yes. Licensed Hams want to keep the frequencies clean and not end up having it be like CB was (or is) aside from a life threatening emergency most hams around the world will not talk to non licensed people on the radio without a control operator. In many countries you can loose your license for carrying on conversations with unlicensed operators. We've all studied, tested and learned the art and science of radio. If you want to play, you should too.

[@kasperabigail5998]

Good to know, I appreciate the kind reply. However that's BS, not because its false, more rather 1) HAM was forged by un-licensed operators, 2a) Nothing wrong with CB except for assholes and there are plenty of those in the HAM world 2b) Technical hurtles of HAM filter out most compared to CB 3) I cant test my transceiver for EMERGENCY if no one answers 4) Finding a test session in my area is difficult and the list goes on. Is there a better way?

[@pechacekcp]

I want your mug really bad, where can I get one???

[@kb9oak749]

With 2 meters possibly going away, (thanks FCC) does that change the value proposition for the Kenwood?

[@K6UDA]

2 meters is not going away. The French proposal was pulled.

[@ChrisD-og9lj]

@@K6UDA I got the D74 myself. A little bit of a learning curve, but I'm borderline smart about it. Thanks for this video, great stuff! (Love my D74!)

[@peterbiltmark4221]

Thanks!! de KM6PDW

[@dalemyers5096]

One last thing. The baofeng dm5r? Do they or have they a fix for, I think it's the duel time slot or tier 2 issue, or a whole other complete program to upload that fixes any and all issues.

[@K6UDA]

Sorry, I don't have any experience with the dm5r.

[@K0LWC]

I find D-STAR inherently more frustrating than DMR. The worst part of the entire process is getting registered for the network. We have several repeaters in the area that I've not even used, nor have I tried my hotspot. I continue to spend all my time on DMR and the Brandmeister network.

[@K6UDA]

Admit it. Someone built you a code plug. Didn’t they.

[@K0LWC]

K6UDA No.

[@dustyrhodes1655]

I love DSTAR and DMR. DSTAR can be confusing and a pain just to register but after that its easy to use. DMR is a breeze to register just a steep learning curve to program and use. Either way its a great time for digital radio and more things to come. As much as I love the digital Im still a 2m/HF junkie.

[@WillLeingang]

💯

[@ManuelPinner]

I have a ICOM IC52A and a Open Spot 4,

[@K6UDA]

You’re 90% there.

[@grigorirasputin5020]

Is there any way to contact the D-Star registration team? I am stuck in limbo and as far as I can tell, they are a group of faceless, nameless, jerks who are too cowardly to provide a means to ask for assistance? Why the f do they make the process so damn difficult and involved? Why not be straightforward and allow simple, one-step registration as DMR does?

[@K6UDA]

Unfortunately there’s no real team. Each individual repeater trustee sign up people and submits to the dstar trust. It’s a very old and archaic system of doing things. Everyone involved are volunteers, so there’s no real organization behind it all.

[@mrmarciano1628]

U gotta register to ONEREPEATER nearest you. A dastardly repeater of coarse.....trick part is ONLY ONE REPEATER you register to and you have to WAIT FOR REPLY from repeaters callsign that your approved. Then boo your on.

[@dalemyers5096]

I've got to understand this d-star info. I won January's icom hamnation id31 a plus promotion. Yippee. I got the email today. KF4DCY 73

[@TheRetiredtech]

Dale Myers congrats

[@K6UDA]

Nice. Enjoy.

[@aaronlabranche2977]

Of all the videos you have why do none of them walk a newb threw d star.? Why are they all just fluf? Why no actual start to finnish basics how to use not theory

[@daddiosweatpants9622]

yeah i dont get it. maybe i'll just stick to analog with the old guys.

[@aaronlabranche2977]

@@daddiosweatpants9622 i do like yeasu fusuon thats not so grooling

[@daddiosweatpants9622]

@@aaronlabranche2977 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXaQq4uHZqebibM this is the best video I've watched on DMR for beginners so far.

[@aaronlabranche2977]

Call it I just bought my first d star now what...

[@tecdive8045]

if you get down to SoCal, I'll show you some great diving! It would be great to go diving with a brother / ham. I sent you an email with my info. ihsv

[@K6UDA]

Sweet. Thanks.

[@jamescaperelliiii4620]

The HD-1 is like the Baofeng when it comes to front panel programming? Are you serious? In my opinion they are worlds apart.

[@K6UDA]

Your opinion.

[@denisemcjunkins4391]

Buy once cry once. The kenwood is well worth the money.

[@K6UDA]

I like that.

[@520menace]

Tried the cheap Chinese DMR radios. Not impressed. Will definitely stick to a quality made product like Kenwood and Icom. I like D-Star much more. DMR is ok but not for me. I have the Ailunce HD1 and have had connectivity issues, even after all the settings were set. I watched a video of yours were you mentioned the connectivity issues. Have you resolved them. I just stopped using DMR until I purchase a Motorola or Hytera. I know Hytera is Chinese made but it’s their pro model which has excellent reviews. Thanks for the video.73 K6YZF

[@tommcqueen3145]

👍

[@ocavant]

I would like to watch this but it’s impossible to hear you!

[@NaturesChild]

skip to 2:47

[@rcas350pilot8]

Very hard to listen to.

[@robertchambers5821]

Hello K6UDA: I know you really enjoy your Kenwood TH-D74 handy talky, but there is a video your might want to see from the man who invented APRS. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpjRZ4WHfNCWjsk Enjoy. 8P6RC or VE3BEO

[@daletrout1627]

i'm no smarter ofter watching this bahaha

[@KamauNwabudike]

Definitely not for dummies. Doesn't even start to say how to use it until 14:41. And most of that time was the history of DSTAR, and then, using a bunch of terms and phrases that a beginner wouldn't know.

[@180mph9]

Audio impossible.

[@Ocrepair]

I used Japanese DMR radios all the time and your assessment that the radio sound horrible on repeaters is inaccurate we all know that it comes down to antenna antenna, . you almost sound as if you get paid by these other manufacturers to push their product or your sponsored by them it doesn't matter what radio you have as long as you're getting involved in the hobby and pushing the hobby Forward but that's just my two cents ... and for the novice or beginner this trying to learn and get involved in the Hobby having a brand of radios that are not going to break the bank while you're trying to figure out where you want to do ,what direction you're trying to go in regarding your electronics purchases I think the Japanese radios provide a unique entry point for many people once you evolve and get into the technology or the hobby and understand a lot more then you can make a decision on nut better actually system stop hating on the Chinese radios maybe these manufacturers that make a boatload of money should reduce their price point and come up with better radios at a better price point

[@K6UDA]

Not really. I've done back to transmissions using my DMR radios and then using my Kenwood D74 on my local repeater. I get consistently bad reports on how my audio quality sounds compared to the D74. (low muffled sounding audio)

[@radioguy19510]

You spent the first half of your presentation knocking DMR (which is the fastest growing digital mode on amateur radio today) then you wasted a lot of time talking about wow to set up an open spot. The only useful information was the 4 minutes when you showed how to register and use dstarinfo.com. You never showed anything about how to connect to a reflector or didn't give any other useful information. I am not impressed with Bob Heil but even he would have been better.

[@donaldsmith3048]

2.5 minutes into this you have been wasting my time.

[@Davidjb37721]

Thanks