Understanding DMR Code Plugs (and Why They’re So Confusing)

[@Dusty_Ham]

This is super helpful thanks Jim!

[@KG6NLWMotoRadio]

Codeplug comes from Mother Motorola!

[@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG]

Receive Groups has always been a function I can't stand because it's like a scan function you can't turn off; but that's just me.

[@FEPLabsRadio]

Exactly!

[@glennarrant3743]

Thanks- this made more sense than anything I have seen except the RT Systems videos.

[@nathanbieber2840]

This is a great and possibly the only way to do it for the GD88 by radioddity. With anyone's or the alinco you can change TGs from the menu. But I love the zone thing as let's say I wanted to spy on the local hospitals security team or the mental wards ops team.. they have several freqs and TGs so just keeps organized

[@HOAHamRadio]

You did a fantastic job, Jim, of making this understandable for those who struggle with DMR. This will certainly help many people; nice contribution to the ham community!

[@seanfichera]

Codeplug came from Mother Motorola.

[@Tommy-K4BWN]

Hey Jim i am expecting my Hotspot and my 1701 DMR Radio today Question for the Hotspot can i use medium power on the hotspot I need all this still learning watching your videos and learning more on it but I still need to know a lot more hope I'm not bugging you all these questions.73 K4BWN

[@FEPLabsRadio]

Tommy, low power is all you need to hit the hotspot in the house.

[@rustyhaddock7954]

FWIW, the Radioddity GD-77 with factory firmware required receive groups.

[@FEPLabsRadio]

Hey Rusty, yeah it's kind of a hit or miss thing. I think most current DMR radios don't need recieve groups, but I've just gotten where I create a 1-to-1 match with the digital contacts whenever I program any DMR radio. Extra step, but eliminates the question. Thanks for watching!

[@rustyhaddock7954]

@@FEPLabsRadio Indeed. I think manuf'rs found out that it really wasn't necessary. May have been a "left over" from the business radidios. Thanks for the video!

[@KQ1USA]

Great Video Jim.

[@FEPLabsRadio]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Tommy-K4BWN]

I got me a Baofeng DM1701 it's not worth the money

[@FEPLabsRadio]

I have an 1801 - I upgraded it to the OpenGD77 firmware, it's a hella better! Not sure that's available for the 1701.

[@Tommy-K4BWN]

@@FEPLabsRadio my laptop won't let me use the software and it can't find the cable on the Port I am going to try a 878 and see what it does I have been using Droidstar on my Android phone

[@warrenfeldman1572]

Thank you. I am new to DMR. This is the best set of instructions I have seen

[@reidlanham2011]

This video is so easy to follow it makes me want to get a DMR radio! Thanks for taking the time to put this together. 73, K8JLW

[@CommsCheck705]

This is the easiest description of how to create a DMR codeplug I have seen yet. It is easy to understand they way you break it down and explain the basics. I have heard of so many horror stories about trying to program DMR radios. I wasn't going to get a DMR radio before this video but seeing how easy it can be I will most likely get one now. Thanks for the great info. 73's KC6RDF

[@temporarilyoffline]

Nicely done

[@kylefreemason]

Great video. Alot of the brandmeister tgs say 10 min limit. I don’t recall seeing that years ago. Are tgs limiting each users use of the tg to a 10min qso? Also, what are tac channels? Are they used like simplex only in digital form so you don’t tie up an entire state or region with a qso?

[@FEPLabsRadio]

The time limit thing is usually more for repeaters that are linked to Brandmeister. Of course, be aware that every QSO ties up the TG that it's linked to (be it repeater or hotspot). I suspect it's more of a courtesy/repeater management thing than anything else. Every DMR radio I've seen lets you disable the TOT completely. However, a lot of repeater owners do impose TG that you can link to, as well as timers.

[@camcurtis2628]

Thanks Jim. Your explanation makes it easy for me to understand. I gave up on my HD1 code plug because of the perceived complexity. Now I will be going back to it and should get it onto DMR after watching your video. You have been very helpful to an old bloke. 73 Cam VK4FL

[@FEPLabsRadio]

Glad it helped!

[@seanfichera]

So for a private call how is the connection made through a repeater or hotspot? If you are calling Steve does he have to be on the same talk group you are on or just anywhere on the same network?

[@FEPLabsRadio]

Yes, - you still need an active DMR-Internet connection somewhere (at both ends). So, if you're on your hotspot, and I know your radio ID, I can direct call you, as long as I'm connected to something on my side (repeater or hotspot) that's on the same network (BM, TGIF, etc). Doesn't matter what TG you might be in. Of course, if you're keyed down, I won't be able to get thru.

[@immunitycorrupts3641]

Finally I understand DMR hotspot. thanks for sharing

[@FEPLabsRadio]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!