What Is A Digital Ham Radio Hotspot? DMR/DSTAR/C4FM Hotspots Explained

So this is a very popular question among my audience, due to my recent videos explaining some hotspots and reflectors. Hopefully you get some information from this video, and give me a thumbs up on the effort.
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[@w0dyd]

Good information Eric. I have been having fun with amateur radio for 70 years. DMR is just adding to the adventure and learning a lot even at age 85. Just got into DMR about 2 months ago. Thanks de Gary/W0DYD/MN

[@digitalhillbilly8863]

I'm retired, on a budget, and live in a rural area with no repeater in range. I'm studying for my license because I always wanted to explore ham radio and now that I am retired I do this sort of thing. A few videos that I watched almost made me give it up. I'm not ready to buy a $3000 receiver and spend another $1000 installing a big antenna just because I am in a rural area with no repeater. This video got me excited and gives me hope. Now I know that I can build a decent mobile unit and go "hunting" when the weather is good, and then sit at home and possibly further explore those contacts with a hotspot. Thanks for that.

[@panoshountis1516]

I am an absolute rookie in thirst for education and stumbled upon your channel. Thank you for all the great knowledge you are sharing!

[@Tsachyl]

4 years after the make of this video and it is by far still one of the best to re-watch. Thanks much for information + humor .

[@mtahirkeskin]

Thank you. Its been six years and this video made me learn a LOT of things about what I wanted to learn. Started following too.

[@hypnosiscenternyc]

Thanks for one of the best and simpliest explanations of hotspots and how they work.

[@daviddavisson1654]

Thanks Eric. I have watched 20 different people trying to teach me about DMR and you are the only one that I have understood. I will watch your other videos to get the rest of the story on the other digital modes. Again, thanks!!!

[@fire1160]

ive been a firefighter and a lifeboat man and still when you go into some clubs your greeted with some people that wont talk to you purely because your deemed to be bellow them im there to learn but sometimes most times you will not ask a question just so you dont receive the this guys thick or raised eyebrows so been able to watch your videos and understand and receive the answers to the questions you will not ask is a massive pleasure well done i belive they need younger people in this hobbie just a complete shame when the hobbie seems to be dieing phil uk

[@JimHoward]

AS an old guy getting back in after 15 years this video was very helpful in helping me get back up to speed. Thanks!

[@lonniedomnitz1720]

Great. Open spot 2 …. Check. That seems crystal clear. Now i need to find another one of these videos that has a great description of which handheld digital radio to buy.

[@seanl6340]

As a soon-to-be-newbie Ham (waiting for local testing to resume), I like much of your content. It's informative and you talk to your viewer not at them. And I LOVE the attitude - "Can we have some fun?". Don't even have a license yet, but already running into so many "old ways" and "Doom and Gloomers" who seem to want nothing better than to keep amateur radio stagnant. Thanks for being a vocal knowledgeable voice for advancement and growth.

[@dadachoski5946]

The most comprehensive video so far as I plough through the information out there trying to get a good grounding in Digital Voice Comms.. thanks you

[@gcsheltersystems]

Perfectly done for us new birds just learning to fly on digital. You cleared up my questions on hotspots in this one video. Yes, understanding that analog may be of extreme usefulness in "THE" moment, but you can't live your life for that, can you? Also, digital can give you information from around the world which the media may choose not to place an importance. So even using it for a "heads up" to a developing problem somewhere, or just talking with a 8th cousin Aussie, it's all good. Thanks for the clarification!

[@bobn6rlg689]

Good chat, Eric! For all the others, the whole point is have fun when fun works or is needed and keep HF w/independent power supply handy for emcomm when all else fails. These things are complimentary, not “one-or-the-other” competitive.

[@tribulationprepper787]

This is an older video. I wonder how Eric is feeling about the possibility of a grid down scenario under the circumstances we are facing today, four plus years later?

[@bifoot45]

I agree with you with the respect of not tying up the repeater. As a ham radio operator I would like to be considerate of my fellow ham operator’s. I am very new to this mode of operation now after retiring I was looking for something to do in this mode intrigues me very much.

[@saifal-badri]

You did a great job listing most of the hot spots, I have an openspot4 and a jumbo

[@calliepieters3446]

WOW !! great information ! just got my tech license. This is a deep rabbit hole !! LOL !! this new hobby can be expensive, I knew it !! I love it !! going for my general license now I know a lot more, and this would be perfect for my expeditions, and camping adventures. thanks

[@siientsinger6637]

As a old 90s licensed HRO i have come back after 18 year break to total new world... this is the best explanation video so far... im very much at the checkout and staying faithful to Yaesu and love the look of the FT3d any advice please comment ,. thank you for your channel and i have found this 73's G7WDH

[@jimhansen439]

Thanks for a very informative video! I'm 73yrs old and it's hard to comprehend the digital world. I really learned a lot from your video. Thanks Again! K8JRH

[@BenDover-wm7wf]

I would be one of those noobies. Hot spots, nodes, reflectors, repeaters, rooms, talk groups, Wires-X, Fusion, nXDN, DMR, D-Star, P25, IRLP, Echolink, AllStar... It’s all blah blah blah to me. The topology diagrams are very very helpful to visualize what the heck you are talking about. A million thanks for that.

Very important thing I miss from the video. Openspot is the only digital hotspot on the market that has 2 years official warranty and customer support and documented laboratory testing. Openspot 2 has 0,5 ppm accurate oscillator frequency stability which is very good.

[@one-of-us9939]

Thanks... A good starter course video! And I find it funny that two years later we are talking about a "zombie apocalypse" I better get mine quick!🤣 Not even a Tech yet but I have an Any Tone D878 UVII Plus on its way to me. I wanna learn, listen, and get familiar with it before I got hotspot digital... after all, I gotta get FCC legal first!🤣 Thanks again!

[@eryen9503]

Have been holding off going DRM, mainly due to no repeaters close by (closest is 200+ miles away). Thanks to your excellent video it makes my decision easier to make...thanks.

[@tsdelaney]

Thanks for the simple, yet thorough explanation!

[@AI5HV]

Thank you for your explanation about hot spots. I was watching several videos trying to determine if I needed one or not. I watched several videos that did not help to clarify (at least not for me).

[@clikens86]

I'm a brand new tech. Still waiting on my callsign. Doing a bunch of research right now. Thank you for simplifying things.

[@KX4UL]

Excellent video explaining exactly what I was wanting to know. I am a hardcore HF SSB/CW guy licensed in the early 90's and just using 2m VHF to check into local nets and running packet, the big deal digital craze back then. I was out of the hobby for about 10 years due to work and then returned to the hobby in 2018. I am now playing catch-up to all the new technology and this video answered so many questions. Thanks Eric!

[@TheAx504]

I am just back into the hobby after a 20+ year hiatus! It’s good to see that hams (and the industry) are keeping pace with technology. However, I must admit that the first thing I bought to get back on the air was a Benchor Paddle. You can teach this old dog new tricks, but CW is home sweet home for me! Great video and very informative. Thanks! _ _ ... ..._ _

[@KX4UL]

Kudos on the Bencher paddle and CW! I too am an old dog from 30 years ago. But I am very curious about Hot Spots, C4FM and D-Star and found this video truly helpful. ...-.-

[@heyitsvonage2768]

I'm just getting into ham radio and I think this video just solved my biggest problem -- Crappy location.

[@jaymandelker8893]

Thank you very much, Eric. This is the second of your videos I've watched and enjoyed. I am now about to join the Vero Beach ARC. You have very well motivated me! 73 de W1JAY

[@billmcroberts6566]

Great historical perspective. Digital has incredible possibilities. Got my first hotspot set up for DMR, now I’ve ordered the parts to build my own Dstar hotspot. Thanks!

[@Ickabogg]

This was great. Back in the hobby after an absence of something like 10 years. This was exactly what I needed to know. I love the evolution of all this in the digital arena. Since the video was just over 2 years ago, now I guess I need to see what the successors are to Jumbospot and Openspot2. LOL The narrative on this video was easy to follow and it all makes sense. We've got all the modes around here and the routing through a hotspot makes total sense to me. NG8E

[@eskwadrat]

Great history dive for newbies trying to understand all that jargon D HAM people use around. Thanks!

[@sharonjuniorchess]

Another way (if you are starting up) is to just use a phone or computer with internet access. That way you can explore Digital Mode first before buying a digital radio & a hotspot. All you need is your call sign & a Brandmeister ID.

[@llewellyndutoit2703]

Fantastic video for us Newbies! Appreciate the drawings you made on Computer too, to explain it better. TYVM and keep up the great work...

[@markhaynes8479]

Thank you for the wonderful info. I am new to Amateur radio and really new to DMR. This has been very helpful.

[@stevearrowood7430]

I actually got into ham cuz I'm always fly fishing for weeks at a time with no reception and it was lonely sometimes. So I studied my but off to pas extra and put together a small station in my RV. An ICOM 7300/9700 (obviously 9700 hasn't shipped yet but soon) and a compact vertical on a 30ft mast and get great reception 160-6 good reception VHF UHF and a Arrow ll to play with . No more lonely nights! Just hope I can use the Dstar without wifi. Thanks for the info. KM6VAY

[@canadiandiggers1184]

Hi!!! My name is Eric, just watched your dmr hotspot video, awesome info, wasn't aware dmr hotspots even existed. anyhow, looking forward on getting my own hotspot one day. I live in the country area and repeaters are either to far away or are beeing under repair. By watching your video, it gave me hope on doing the things i love about radio!!! 73's from your fellow ham in Canada 🇨🇦.

[@brianshanahan3878]

I'm a little late getting serious about DMR but once again your videos to the rescue!

[@ernestoraices4158]

Awesome video. Could you please make one showing the set up you have on your backpack? Cheers!

[@kd2rdhlarry571]

I bought a DXMINI it is perfect, Sits on my mantle and looks great while working flawlessly. So Ofcourse I need one for on the go. I ordered the pi zero and mmdvm and display and case and all the little doo-dads to make it all work. Now that I know more about them I can’t wait to put it together myself. I’ll hopefully have DMR at work and on the commute from the convenience of my trusty UV-380

[@donaldfloyes3014]

Thanks for the informative video. I am new to DMR and looking forward to getting into the hobby!

[@lyncchoo]

It's good to see digital and hotspots. They are an extension of the hobby and they will help keep amateur radio alive. Hopefully draw more people to the hobby before we lose it. When there is a power outage or catastrophe we still have analog! It will always be the root of amateur radio. Lets grow. Lets stay alive. GREAT VIDEO!!!!

[@nickseamus7340]

Being brand new to the hotspot stuff, a usb stick style like the DV is appealing to me for trying it out and experimenting at home in the shack with access to my own reliable internet, etc.

[@tomw5vlt119]

OK, now I want to know what your bug out field bag has in it that you can talk to the world from what's in the pack. Thanks for the "assume we know nothing" approach, because you're correct. Most videos don't do that. Please do more of them. For all the equipment I see in CQ mag or others, other than transceivers, power supplies, and amps... please give us some videos telling us what those things are, and what they do. Thanks.

[@MANFROMMANOMET]

Great, clear presentation. now looking for a good hot spot that is up to date. any suggestion appreciated.

[@schoocg]

Wow, did you ever answer so many of my questions. thank you thank you. still have many more about setting up and using digital , to buy or not, but you answered a fundamental question: do I need to ethernet into a router or can I just use my Hot spot on my iPhone. That was the real game changer for me.I also agree 100% on your concluding remarks. I do have a question though: using your cell phone as a hot spot do you know what the minimum bandwidth up and down required to handle these digital QSOs that is acceptable ? PS: if it was not for the Hotpots and Hotspots that could not use your iPhone as its router hotspot for the internet...I would never consider a digital radio.Things are looking up for me. Again, excellent education and video.

[@johnrieley1404]

Thanks OM. You are right about the "funny" repeater culture. We have a "Metro" TG that is hooked up to so many repeaters, from NY to FL, it should be called the "East Coast" TG. Hotspots seem to fit the bill for mobile and work-around local machines. Keep having fun and servicing the public.

[@PeterB_California]

Eric, great job. You provide so much unique value to this hobby, even with the other competitive channels. Why do you want to do something else?

[@allthingsradio7208]

I have a few digital repeaters in my area but dont like being tied down to the reflectors they link to, I want control over where i go, , i still use the repeaters but will be buying my own hotspot, thanks for the vid.

[@burnsonp]

Good video. I knew about 75% already but it took me a bunch of hours researching. Wish I would have found your video a month ago. I ordered open spot 2 yesterday so I’m excited. I live in a rural area with no digital repeaters near. KI7WBR

[@tomsmall2479]

Eric - I support the other comments below - you have helped me to better understand the world of "Hotspots" - Thanks Again for another great presentation ... 73

[@wercrooks1]

Yes learned a lot. I’m just getting started in this hobby and enjoy your attitude about Zombie time and Disaster Commo, just have fun. Well done and keep making the educational videos please! Thank you!

[@danaharlan12]

long and fast delivery, BUT! excellent presentation and super overview. Fine job! my second time through the whole thing. and now I have a basic understanding. (Iron head, but sinking in.) Cool! And let’s have fun.

[@skippyi6969]

Man Eric, without your videos, my NEWB self would be screwed. TY so much for what you do.

[@haroldpalmsesq2506]

There are a ton of us who would like to be Elmers but nobody asks. Find one near you.

[@recumbentogiro26]

Thank You. You filled in a lot of gaps in my knowledge. Still getting my equipment together so this helps me decide which direction I'm initially going and what I need to get there. Once again you always come through with what I need. Thank You and "73"

[@acardnal]

Thanks for this . The drawings on Microsoft Draw(?) was very helpful.

[@NsixVHF]

I was looking for a video to explain hotspots to my friends and this one is awesome! Good job!

[@sphexes]

Echolink has been basically doing the same thing for a long time. Now we have a square dance of all the digital voice modes. It's all the same thing at this point whether you use a radio or not. I do like having access to repeaters all over the world.

[@StanCook]

Thanks for the information. I tired DRM and could not figure it out. It is, have not returned it yet, a BaoFeng DM-1801 DMR. Maybe I am just too old school. KH6JMK since 1977. There is a DRM repeater in my area but. Wrong radio? I could not find the programming software. Your video was outstanding and informative. Thanks for your work.

[@ywang92]

You can find the 1801 programing software at baofengradio.ca.

[@philipgm1]

Great video. I am still learning what DMR is and how a hotspot works. Waiting for my radio and hotspot to arrive. 73. ZL3GP.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

good job Erick thanks 73 very good

[@DaninVirginia]

Excellent overview Eric thanks!

[@sparkybluefox]

Great overview of the HotSpot scene ! Thank you for posting this video !! 73 SBF

[@DonaldChapman]

And a great history lesson!

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Thanks for whirlwind tour of hotspot. Very interesting.

[@ThorinOakenshieldGSD2023]

So regarding the zombie apocalypses complaint, the release of Starlink may well solve that. Yes there are other sat systems, but given the current and targeted performance and price point it may be the solution in rural areas which is the problem I have been solving for. Starlink, DMR hotspot, DMR radio. Battery backup/solar/generator. When the storm is through and power and coms are down, this configuration (currently using viasat) works to assure outside communication. May not be a great mobile solution yet, but at least we can have outside com from our rural location.

[@henbentoify]

Thank you for your time and effort you put into your vids . The best around. 73

[@CDPAutos555]

Thank you for breaking down these hotspots

[@zeedee9548]

My favorite part is, "....I hate AT&T...". Love it 😁! Thanks for the video. Happy New Year! 🍻

[@FryFlier]

Thanks for another great video Eric, now where were those zombies.

[@Jake2670]

thanks for all the help, been yrs since looked at this kind of stuff, we had a echo link repeater here n the county but its back strait analog now, have a 440 DSTAR up north but have to run 100w to hit it n don't have DTMF on that rig, so b getting one of these looks like, 73s

[@billhughes5736]

Thanks Eric. This really is helpful. I’ve been struggling to understand how to use hotspots. I have several but haven’t been able to use them, because I couldn’t figure how to use them. Thanks so much. Bill K6HB

[@mikemcdonald5147]

hotspots are ROIP and VOIP Radio Over IP and Voice Over IP this wasn't mentioned in the video and thought it should be. Just for those not in he know. :) Great video and explanation of all the different hotspots.

[@davidpatrick1813]

I'd like to know about the back pack set up. I use a little van to camp and would like to be more flexible.

[@w.rustylane5650]

Well, Eric, I'm now 72 years old and have been a Ham for 4 years. I just got a new Yaesu 991a and am quite disappointed in the digital side of Ham radio. There's a lot of room for improvement. When in digital mode, voices sound muffled, muddled and quite robotic, as though they were computer generated. It's understandable though, with voice data squashed and compressed into one half the bandwidth with the other half dedicated to error correction. And none of the digital modes are compatible with each other. Icom has D-Star (Death Star), Yaesu has System Fusion (System Confusion) and then there's DMR (Digital Mobile Radio). When are the requirements for a standard digital Ham radio going to appear? Why can't the manufacturers or even ARRL get together and decide on one form of digital communication for Ham radio? I guess for me, I'll just stick with good ole FM, SSB or AM. These modes of Ham radio are 100% better than digital as far as audio is concerned. Cheers & 73 from W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee

[@todderbert]

Thank you for this informative video, new subscriber, new tech here with a FT70. Want to learn all I can about this digital tech.

[@juanveloz5501]

IAM getting lots ok useful knowledge watching your videos keep up the great work and thank you.

[@donpreisler322]

Answered all my questions and more. Thanks!

[@fmaduro100]

Thanks for all your great videos. Frank KM4ZRT in Florida

[@russhendrix9674]

What about ECHOLINK ? It seems they are similar ideas using the internet. Enjoying the videos!!

[@rossbassette7518]

Echolink is accessed by connecting to an established Echolink repeater, in your metro area. While pressing your PTT key, you input a DTMF codes from your radios keypad. For more information check out echolink .org for an overview of the technology and www. fwrc.info/index.php/news/finish/5-other-files/11-accessing-the-fwrc-echolink-node for some info on accessing a echolink repeater with your radio. WARNING: "DO NOT^ USE UNLESS YOU ARE A LICENSED HAM RADIO TECH, OR ABOVE"

[@colinlyne]

Can’t use DMR and Fusion!

[@russhendrix9674]

@@rossbassette7518 Thanks! yes, im technician.

[@africantwin173]

And in a loud environment (like a car running at 130 km/h ) the audio of Echolink is still good. On dstar i can't make jack shit of the incoming rx conversation.

[@nrnoble]

Yep, I am newbie to ham radio curious about Hot Spot for DMR. Thx ... Yes, please address the Zombie Apocalypse in a future video. ;)

[@randyhavener1851]

This is some excellent history and background! Thank you so much!!!

[@PhilG0BVD]

Excellent James another great video I am learning all the time from you 73 Phil G0BVD

[@nutter5454]

I now run both and enjoy both, so thanks for the explanation.

[@patm5165]

Nicely done Eric, thanks for doing, very helpful.

[@roncrow3965]

Great explanation you cleared up some grey areas thanks.

[@Richard180924]

Thank you for the very informative video. A lot of infos, mainly with the history of all the hotspots. 73, Richard VE2CH

[@du1nij1]

I hope someday they develop a hotspot that has option to peer to peer or mesh connection to another hotspot so as not to be dependent to internet.... Nice video. 73

[@grimyjersey6499]

It's called simplex.

[@tonycampbell1178]

Telephone 😂

[@xray9alpha]

24:30 - Amen... be prepared but have some fun.

[@frederickhart2637]

You are the man! Cleared up a lot of questions. Thanks for all the vids and keep them coming.

[@priceranch]

Great Vid, cleared up a few questions I had....Like what the hell is a hotspot! Thanks.

[@grimyjersey6499]

I watched a lot of videos on the openspot2 and feel like I was misled. You would think that if you have a Fusion radio and you get a hotspot that is capable of Fusion that you could find any Fusion repeater in the world. That is not so. Many of the rooms or repeaters or talk groups whatever that is on the openspot is not necessarily on a repeater. There are a few exceptions like America link maybe Alabama link Etc. In addition, somebody in that repeater has to set it to whatever room you're in if it's available on the hotspot. The hotspot is nothing but an internet chat room. Echolink is more radio than this.

[@pstgh]

You might want to do an UPDATE to this one so as to continue "the rest of the story"... ? It seems like the router community should consider adding 1) the ability to receive a 70cm digital signal and 2) a pistar-like os system that might be running on the side so it can immediately take the local signal and route it off into the internet as appropriate.

[@rhondalecato9177]

Thank you for this info and posting the video!

[@G1DYN]

Really useful video.

[@williamdekine1746]

Thanks, finally getting answers

[@leecwilkin]

Just getting into dmr so all help great fully recieved

[@markbolin6651]

Great video. I’m just getting into Ham. I’ll be testing on element 2 mid-month. I enjoy you videos because I don’t have an Elmer locally to help me. I was heavy into CB way back in the 70’s. It was much friendlier back then. Each local area would have their own channel and people we’re still courteous. I do have a question though. Are you able to use d-star with one of the cheap Chinese dual band radios that is not d-Star enabled? If so, how? Thanks again for all the time and energy you put into making things fun.

[@stevendrake6831]

Love your background! Clever.