DStar/DMR/C4FM, What Are Reflectors And Talkgroups

[@HamRadioConcepts]

OK. I removed the premier.. Just a standard upload now.. Thanks.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Those premieres are weird.

[@ronniewoods2155]

An absolutely great presentation.

[@DavesBrickHouse]

I just got back into ham after a 10+ year hiatus. I'm interested in getting into digital modes, and while I just retired from a career in IT, I was still having trouble finding good overview videos of the technology. I found your video this morning, and I must say you did an excellent job at boiling it all down, and presenting it in a friendly, easily consumable style. Well done!

[@TheRealGunGuyTV]

I'm a fairly new HAM. I really appreciate this kind of stuff. It helps me a ton! Thank you, sir.

[@WilliamGoebel]

Yep

[@gailenmarshall4222]

This is an incredibly understandable explanation of the three systems and the future hopes for digital radio. Thanks so muh for talking to us without going over our heads or talking down. You do a fantastic job. Many thanks!

[@TinTalon]

I am a new DMR user and had questions about how all this kind of worked and made it much easier to understand. Thank you.

[@kentuckyproud4575]

Absolutely the best explanation on the internet!

[@kulanchandrasekaran4462]

You have invested so much time and effort to share your knowledge and experience. Thank you.

[@smky143]

So what is a node, just a hotspot? Also what is irlp and allstar and how come they seem to be a lot harder to get onto? Pretty new to all this, good video explains a lot.

[@antstoes]

Thank you so much for doing this video and I’m glad I found it. I just got my first hotspot and needed to see how all this works. I’m sure there’s a lot more to it and I’ll learn as I go but you did a great job with it, and the graphics are just awesome.

[@hamzah6251]

This is the best video explaining DMR I've seen. Thanks so much!! It cleared so much up. Best from London

[@outbackeddie]

This was by far the best explanation of a D-star "reflector" that I have watched on KZbin. I'm still a little confused on how everything fits together so I just want to make sure I understand what is going on: 1. So, a "reflector" is a computer that is connected to the internet. This "reflector" receives your radio transmission via specialized gateway equipment located at your local d-star repeater? Did I get that right? 2. You specify which "reflector" you want to receive your radio transmission when you set up your radio. You can set your radio for any reflector you want. Did I get that right? 3. When the "reflector" you have specified in your settings receives your transmission, it transmits that message to a connected repeater, which then broadcasts your message to whoever happens to be listening to that repeater at the time? Did I get that right? 4. And a "hotspot" is just a little computer that takes the place of a "reflector." It requires an internet connection to work. So even if you don't have a d-star repeater nearby, you could drive to a McDonalds, connect your little hotspot with McDonalds wifi, transmit a message from your radio to your little hotspot, which would then connect to a "reflector" that you specify, and that "reflector" would then send your message to a connected repeater, which would then broadcast your voice to your intended audience? Did I get that right? I hope to God that I finally understand how this works because I have been going crazy trying to understand it. Thanks again for the detailed video. It really is the best one I have seen. By far.

[@Ghostbit]

I understood DMR talk groups so having someone simply explain that D-Star reflectors were the same thing was a "light bulb" moment. Great video, thanks! This makes me want to get into digital even more knowing there is emerging cross-band interoperability. There is DMR in my local area and now its time to start looking for a good radio. Thanks for the video!

[@donbernat2483]

I just came across this. Excellent clear basic explanation.

[@K6UDA]

Does this make me youtube famous? Great explanation of this whole mess. I'm waiting for the day when we can't all get on a talk group/reflector/room regardless of the radio technology.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Yes, I agree...

[@progrockrules9463]

@@HamRadioConcepts it reminds me of the Betamax and VHS fight in the 80's for the videotape market...

[@markstanner]

This was actually very well done. I have been trying for 3 years to understand digital specifically D-STAR better. Thanks fo taking the time to put this together.

[@tomw5vlt119]

Video lost me at the end. You talk about talking into a D* and being converted by the repeater to fusion, but the talk lost me. It would be helpful if you just showed one example. What does our radio show on the screen, Do we have any control of where the repeater puts us, what talk group we are put in to? Or is it a straight connect to whichever digital mode and talk group we choose, which doesn’t make sense that we could select a DMR talk group from a fusion Radio?

[@2uprider1832]

Great presentation. Thank you for your effort to reduce this to a mentally digestible format. I am a new ham radio participant in a Jupiter, Florida. Much appreciated

[@davidr6585]

You come through yet again Sir. As a staunch analog/FM guy (mostly because all this new stuff is intimidating, I've only recently begun to "peer over the fence" at D-Star and YSF and the others. This helped clear the fog ;)

[@johnratcliffe6438]

How do you talk to someone else locally on your D-Star repeater (Local CQ) if you don't know their call sign? Can you just key up and say "This is 'Call Sign'. Listening" and everyone connected to Local CQ also can hear and talk to you?

[@patrickbiernat2360]

What is the difference between your "system fusion" hotspot and a Yaesu hri-200 wires-x link?

[@allengower669]

Well done Eric - You certainly know how to explain things in a way that we can understand So a big THANKS from me

[@DeltaWhiskeyBravo13579]

Thanks for explaining it Eric. You get my thumbs up for doing a great job. 73

[@kennethrichter24]

Well done and thanks for bringing me one step closer to the big picture.

[@jimmievetor5008]

New hams lost? I’m 79 call NX9U been around a long time but due to health, moving to areas with little local ham participation and lack of Antennas I have not been on the air much for years and years and I am lost. I’ve been getting serious and just bought the new Kenwood TH-74A and wow it’s not like the old HT‘s and all the information I’m hearing makes my head spin but I’m gonna try to get back into it thank you.

[@SantanderUsa]

Kuddos for you. This simple language helped me a lot to understand many of the different systems and encouraged me to keep reading and go to maybe other more "In-dept" explanations that I would not be able to understand without this excellent explanation from you. Thanks again and now you got me hooked to your channel!!

[@deano3258]

Thank you for this video this is the best basic explanation of how it works.

[@JerrySuddards]

Great video.I just ordered a digital H T video helped a lot!

[@ONYXRCR73]

Returning Ham of 30 years. New to digital. I have new radios on DRM and Yeasu plus a ZUM Spot kit in shipping to me right now. As a true new user to this it would be very helpful if you or some other youtuber's could make a full video with complete live real examples to all us to see everything in action. I have read about everything i can find and watched hundreds of videos now but what is missing for me (old and stupid) is not fully understanding all the steps. When programming my hotspot and then radio to talk on talkgroup 31123. I would guess there is several ways to get to this talk group. Also once I setup my zumspot do I just add any talkgroup right in the radio and key it? Or do you have to set a repeater / zone / cc / in radio first to get that talkgroup. I guess once they arrive and I start hands on it might make a bit more since but right now this just is not clear. Make a live real video showing every step for one talk group as an example for both a hot spot and MD380 and talk to someone. thanks for your time. I subscribed

[@PhilG0BVD]

Brilliant video, a complete newbie to digital modes, Just purchased a Icom 9700 but have not repeaters in the area. I also starting to use Peanut DMR 73 Phil G0BVD UK

[@drifter7873]

Thank you I just bought Icom 7100 and this video clears up a lot. Unfortunately there is no Dstar repeater close to me, so I guess I am going to buy a hotspot.

[@thormusique]

Thanks so much! Being relatively new to this aspect of ham radio, this is the best primer I've ever seen on this stuff. Normally when people talk about this stuff, they skip over this kind of logistical discussion. They assume you already know it. Because of that, I've been reluctant to dive into the world of DMR, D-Star, etc. But now I have an excellent starting point.

[@outbackeddie]

Very helpful presentation but I'm still confused about a bunch of things: Please let me know if any of these comments are wrong: 1. In order to use Dstar you need to use your Dstar capable radio to connect to a repeater or hotspot gadget that is set up for Dstar. 2. A hot spot is an electronic gadget that can receive radio signals from your HT radio and it's connected to the internet. You may need to use one of these gadgets if your radio can't reach a local repeater that does Dstar. 3. A reflector is a computer that receives digital radio transmissions from a Dstar repeater or Dstar hot spot. 4. The "reflector" takes the radio transmission and "reflects it" or transmits it to another repeater where other ham radio operators can listen to the conversation. 5. Bob wouldn't be able to talk to the other two guys if he wasn't also connected to the same reflector as them. I have a million more questions but if I got these 5 right at least I'm getting closer to understanding this confusing subject.

[@bernarrcoletta7419]

Pretty good video. My next question is how does this work operationally? For example, how would I (using YSF) connect to a DMR user if I don’t know what reflector they’re connected to.

[@hamzah6251]

Is the main advantage of a hotspot that I can choose which talk group I use rather than a repeater

[@timbrusky1]

Of being off the ham radio for 15 years. I watched your video I still don’t understand. I bought yesterday icom 52A. I like to connect to east coast reflector. A repeater is not possible. Nearest one to connect to east coast reflector is 300+ miles away. This is all way to new for me to understand. How does one connect to these reflectors with the icom 52a. I have? Any insight of where to buy what I need all plug and play and ready to go. Is this expensive?

[@donaldsmith3048]

Thank you for helping some of us that don't understand every thing.

[@gerardorinconke8rrg533]

Fantastic presentation! I would like to see an actual session on you using a reflector

[@ryanwalker6849]

Hi Eric, I’m wondering what the best solution would be for connecting 2 cars on a road trip convoy? We’re UK based, if that makes a difference to frequencies or anything. We can’t use external antennas on the cars as when they aren’t hire cars we have paddle boards on roof bars which doesn’t even leave space for a small mag mount, so we’re limited to handheld only.. I’ve tried researching to see if I could set up a private repeater (analogue or digital), my own reflector, or whatever but it’s all just too confusing to follow and there’s so much conflicting information. Realistically I only want to achieve a range of probably 5-8 miles, but this would need to be handheld only, likely on winding country roads and motorways mostly (I appreciate built up areas are probably going to reduce range) Is there any way you could point me in the right direction as to what would be my best solution so I can research effectively? If you read this, thank you for your time in advance. Many thanks

[@mikemcdonald5147]

where do you get this interface? How does it know which one you are on and which one you want to talk to?

[@TheArtofEngineering]

You sir...In my less than humble opinion, as a trained artist (Bachelor of Fine Art from the National Art School - Sydney Australia) are the Picasso of PAINT!!! 73

[@blueharley2]

Best explanation I've seen to date. Thanks!

[@StanCook]

Eric, that was outstanding to a guy just coming back into HAN radio after 40 years. Thank you so much. Now if we could get hams also using Mac. 73. KH6JMK

[@USNERDOC]

Super helpful conversation Eric ... this has been quite confusing for me ... trying to get more into using my ID-51A ... now the concept is much more clear. Thanks!

[@docpearson]

First, let me say this was outstanding video. But I have a question. So let me see if I have this straight. If I have a Dstar and I go to a reflector and I want to see who is on the reflector with me, I don’t have to worry about routing through to one of those other reflector/talkgroups to see where they came from to show up on my reflector. All I would have to do is see who is on that reflector with me at that moment. So there’s a group of people on that reflector but some of them may have shown up to that reflector with a Dstar badge on their chest or DMR badge on their chest or Fusion badge on their chest showing where they originally came from to show up for the reflector room I am in. But I can see their names or call signs, but I cannot see the badge on their chest to see how they got to this reflector. All I have to worry about is who all is on that reflector when I get there. And if I talk to them I can ask them. Are they talking on Dstar or fusion etc. to find out if they got into this reflector room Is that about right? Or do I have to go to my reflector and somehow route my way through to their talk group or do I just look around to see who’s in my reflector room. But my main question is when I get to my reflector room and look around it everybody while I’ll be able to see where they came from you know like what country or are they talking on fusion or what?

[@johndibble4722]

I am way behind the times but this was very clear and I am not reluctant to jump in now. Thank you very much

[@mikemcdonald5147]

When those repeaters are going thru to a talk group or reflector or dstar then is that repeater only able to use that or can there be normal local talk on the repeater? I guess im asking once you are linked to the cloud your repeater is no longer useable locally? All my local traffic would then be heard on the cloud?

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Yes, you are correct. So some repeaters have it always linked, and some repeaters leave it down for the user to link to whatever they want. But a good practice is to use the "repeater info" command and it will come back and say either "remote system linked" or "not currently linked" then you know.

[@mikemcdonald5147]

thanks for that :) @@HamRadioConcepts

[@kentuckyproud4575]

how do you choose a reflector for use? I know 1C is the mega, 14c is a busy west coast, but what makes someone wnat to use 056C?

[@RussellThomas]

ima MS Paint SUPERSTAR!!! Fantastic Eric! You really did a great job of breaking down the complex and making it simple, quite a skill!

[@HarryHamsterChannel]

You don't exploit Amateur, just to get free stuff, and ignoring the technology... Thanks for contributing to the hobby 🙂 I've added your channel to my YT Home Page

[@bpulv]

These videos are tariffic! Unlike most videos, drawing as you go slows the process at a speed that I can actually absorb. I wouldn't change a thing so I just subscribed.

[@whazupmike]

Question - since uhf/vhf are a line of site from a repeater & HF can travel a greater distance, can I use DSTAR using a HF repeater for DSTAR purposes such as calling anyone or text messaging. I am thinking of using it when I’m out in the middle of nowhere (camping, Overlanding).

[@carlosnachos]

I guess we can compare reflectors to conference rooms ? Multiples peoples from multiples locations all on the same line?

[@adamw5823]

I recently got my tech license, and I’m interested in getting into D-Star and I’m still learning. If I’m calling someone on a gateway through the internet, does this tie up a repeater to connect to a reflector or is it done digitally? do I use a repeater in my area that’s specifically for D-Star or DMR. Im interested in learning more. I’m operating on a Icom 5100 with the Mars mod, and looking at setting it up with the Openspot 3. 73. KJ7SBN

[@Ratchet2]

Excellent illustration makes the lingo much more understandable.

[@michaelcorby7090]

Great information for us newbies! Appreciate it!

[@tomsmall2479]

Eric - Where have to been the past couple of years since I purchased my ICOM 51A - your presentation was very clear and informative- much appreciated - 73

[@henriquemiranda5748]

i think if i understand this correctly, DMR talkgroups are all like inside a dmr network like brandmeister, with servers all over the world but a centralized cloud/servers, no server is dedicated to a talkgroup, talkgroups are almost like tones/filters inside one big cloud, but d-star reflectors are actual servers, devices hosting the connection to that reflector number, isnt that about right as in it is not a centralized network?

[@NipkowDisk]

Thank you for the detailed explanation! I liken this to a 21st century autopatch but exclusively for communicating with other amateur radio operators on a "conference" basis.

[@RobertMartinK4SCX]

I LOVE the movie theater analogy. Perfect to get me over the learning hump!!

[@coltk5996]

if i have a local Yaesu System Fusion repeater in my town can i get on there without internet and if so how?

[@randomstuff3672]

Ok I'm just now looking at digital. This was helpful. Thank you.

[@peteantonio1601]

so I got internet but no repeater close to me that I could access, I got the icom id-52 so what I need is a hot spot on my qth right? or I'm missing something?

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Yes, a simple cheap pistar hotspot should do

[@peteantonio1601]

thank you the clears up a lot of questions, the instructions call for a hot spot wich I got all over the place my dog has a few, but never explain that the requirements calls for a digital hop spot. damn,

[@ldsnurse9268]

Is this similar to Echolink? It sounds like what I understand Echolink to be.

[@CrittendenIV]

Thanks a lot for helping to explain Dstar. I just received my TH-D74 and I am having a heck of a time getting Dstar setup. I haven't heard anything (maybe I am too far away from a repeater). I don't know... I gotta keep trying. Thanks again. :) :)

[@billoldham396]

It makes sense... The problem is you never know if your signal is going across town, or across the world? And that's why I have stayed away from all of it. I have DMR and Fusion. I don't use either! It was a great explanation by all means! But all of this stuff has only complicated radio, way more than it needs to be. But I guess that's just my opinion.

[@NelsonReyesJr]

Seeing your background makes me think, "Band Radio Concepts".... Ha ha ha.. Just kidding....Your channel is great! K6UDA I subscribe to your channel as well. I am a Police Officer in the Miami, Florida area, and I am taking my Technican Test next month. I am talking all of my friends into doing it as well. After Hurricane Dorian obliterated Haiti, I was very afraid to being at work during a hurricane and not being about to communicate with my family to make sure that they are o.k. Both of you (HRC and K6UDA) are my online Elmers. Thank you for helping me to make sure that my family stays safe!

[@newtonraphsons]

Is it possible to make the rugged hot spot as the reflector? Or Hotspot to hotspot communication? DV1YZS of the Philippines

[@banjax66]

Thank you for the explanation Eric. That makes things a bit clearer. Also, I have no idea what my girlfriend is talking about most of the time... Now, I can tell her stuff and she will have no idea what I am talking about!!! So she will know how I feel... I can't thank you enough... :) M6IFZ

[@corgily]

Great explanation.

[@jenkinspcrepair]

Excellent explanation of the systems. I’m using all three modes, experimenting with the whole digital modes and this video cleared up much confusion about what the reflectors/talk groups are. 73 k9jkj

[@chrissewell1608]

Now I understand! (maybe), but close enough, for gov't work. And I loved the visual aid... it really helps! 😁

[@greatgam84]

Good work, E...cannot overstate how much a little elaboration can go a long way..always seem to pick up something new when i tune in...biggups

[@angelscomputers]

Have my license for over 35+ years but the highest I know about digital is PSK31. I am trying to be active again and understand all of this, thanks a lot for such a great video. Now, question. Can I have at home an IC-7100 using it as an "Access Point" hooked to my computer with internet and then from the field have an ID-51a and send emails from the field maybe using an Android device or a Win laptop right? I live now with a damn HOA so HF is not something I can do much, so I'm very interested now in digital stuff that I can do with a small VHF antenna. Always been a Yaesu fan but I think I am going to jump to Icon haha. Actually, phone patch is something from the past? or folks still using it?

[@henbentoify]

Thank you for your time 👍🏾👍🏾

[@TheZolon]

I am currently building out a Wires-X Repeater (DR-1xfr HRI-200), and one of my goals is to link it to different modes some how. There are howtos for doing it with simplex, but being a repeater it is a bit more challenging.

[@500VulcanRider]

OK, to change between reflectors, what do you change, your radio or the hot spot??

[@HamRadioConcepts]

the radio.

[@wr1u]

Hi Eric. That’s a good looking drum kit. What is it? 73 de WR1U

[@todderbert]

Hello HRC, I enjoyed this video. Nicely explained. I want to use my Yaesu FT70 to talk to a friend 50miles away. New to the HAM community and want to develop a better understanding on what a Tech license can achieve before moving up to General and HF. I thought at first "why bother with digital?" now I'm understanding just how powerful it is. BTW the Premiere function is great for giveaways. I had one on Halloween and it had a decent turnout of live viewers.

[@anthonyoquinn342]

would this be the same as ECHO-LINK?

[@chriscuster3684]

Thank you... it made a lot of sense. I know it is way more complex under the covers. But to get started that is not needed knowledge.

[@Ewmcdona]

So if I find some old, unused Windows 7 rack servers - can they be repurposed as a cross-bridge(s)? Why not get some use out of them for everyone’s benefit! Just unsure how to go about it...

[@nrnoble]

Thanks for the video.... Q: I am unclear how DMR Hot spots can be used to switch between talkgroups. Can a DMR operator switch between talkgroups without having to change the hot spot configuration?

[@michaellin4553]

You can set which talk groups are available on tbe hotspot, and pick which one is being used on the radio. You cannot set a talk group that hasn't been configured on the hotspot.

[@loueckert4970]

Good show OM. New to DSTAR, much appreciated. 73 de KT1R Lou in WV

[@kb9oak749]

So if I have internet in my truck, and a hotspot, I can do DMR, SDR, or Fusion on the fly?

[@pda49184]

Many thanks Eric... I now feel , after a 30 year break from ham radio, that I'm starting to understand the new digital systems thanks to your presentation.. That's some serious Percussion equipment behind you.. We have a drummer in our rockabilly band...You know when he's knocking on our front door.. The knock gets louder and faster 🤣 🥁...de G4RYO

[@stephenwilliams5201]

Ha! use to run a mux van putting 12-24 Ines of phone into one pair of wire. And shared the bandwidth with phone operators.

[@PeterCphotos]

How about some links about what your talking about??

[@robertkoenigsberg9818]

Nice explanation! Thank you. Now I still need to learn how to apply that to my little handheld.

[@marknye6125]

VERY WELL DONE ,MOST INFORMATIVE!!

[@a_ham_like_me]

Thank you very much, your explanation was spot-on and made digital radio easier to understand.

[@leendertdenhollander8854]

Thx Eric, it worked perfectly for me! 73's PA7TWX.

[@Richard180924]

Thanks Eric. Very good and clear explanations. Richard VE2CH

[@dougdunlap5889]

I LEARN SOMETHING I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THX

[@g6ctx445]

Hi, good start but fell at the first fence, first question I had from a G3 was "what's a @@?&%#* Rasberry Pi...." I said you'll probably explain as this is for understanding basic terminology... you didn't, I had to... Anyway a question : I have a list of reflectors with a 4000 number, up-to 4999, each one has a DMR TG next to it, so do you set one of the 4000 numbers in the radio (DMR) which will then access the TG through that 4000 number reflector....?? and I assume anyone else using whatever radio they have would do the same and hey presto, we hear each oither... or do you have to access the reflector some other more complicated way as seems to be the norm for Digital so the secrets don't get out there easy... Cheers

[@lallsingh793]

Hi . Just want to add your video explained a lot of stuff that I had no idea about, so thank you very much. Now, I have a question that I would like answers to, here goes..... Many of my friends got separate radios for dstar , dmr etc... and also got Hotspot so they can be on the air where ever & when ever they like, ok. For me , I do not want to have 3 rigs with me where ever I am & thinking of getting the Hotspot with WIFI built in.. My question is...CAN I USE MY ANDROID CEL PHONE TO TALK ON ALL 3 APPS OR MORE WITH THE HOTSPOT & NO RADIO INVOLVE ? . I would appreciate any answer from you as no one as yet can , Thanks a lot ..kg2ms ...email is good on QRZ. Happy New Year all & God Bless Us in 2019/

[@frankrizzo8918]

Hams want everyone to think that this is a complicated network. It’s as simple a shit . What makes it complicated is the way that they explain it .

[@Sam-w9des]

so u in Florida can talk to Jason in Texas through just a repeater without being hooked to internet? as long as u both within reach of a dstar repeater?

[@HamRadioConcepts]

the repeaters have to be linked to the internet, which most repeaters now are.

[@Sam-w9des]

HamRadioConcepts Thanks

[@robertk4vl412]

Great job. I have a DMR bridge on my repeater. I am going to try to bridge the other modes also.

[@colinlyne]

Excellent tutorial, but still a bit uncertain! Thank you