I recently spent some time in Central Pennsylvania at my daughter’s house. Since I was going to be there a while, I brought along my Raspberry Pi hotspot. While I’m not really active in digital voice modes (or any voice modes, for that matter), there are a couple of DMR nets I like to check into each week.
One issue I ran into in the past, is that my hotspot refuses to connect to their Wi-Fi network. Their Wi-Fi SSID has both an apostrophe and a space in it, so I’m guessing that’s the issue. I could have connected the hotspot directly to their router via an ethernet cable. Because of their router’s location, I would have had to move some furniture and put the hotspot in an awkward location. So, this time around I brought a little travel router to try another approach.
Back when I was working, I had a TP-Link Nano router that I took on business trips. Typically, I would connect it to an Ethernet port in my hotel room to create a personal Wi-Fi network for my laptop and phone. A while back, I upgraded to the newer (and faster) TP-Link TL-WR802N travel router. I don’t travel nearly as much these days, so the new router hasn’t seen much use.
My little TP-Link travel router (right) and my beat up old MMDVM hotspot. The paper taped onto the hotspot is to tone down its excessively bright LEDs.
I brought the travel router along on this trip to create a wireless bridge from the house’s Wi-Fi to my personal Wi-Fi. The router’s Wi-Fi network has an SSID that my hotspot likes. I haven’t used that mode much, so I had to resort to the user manual to refresh my memory on how to set this thing up.
Actually, it was pretty easy to set up. It was simply a matter of connecting my laptop to travel travel router’s Wi-Fi to access the admin functions. From there, I set it up in the “Hotspot Router” mode. Then, I scanned to find the house’s Wi-Fi network and logged into it.
Testing the internet connectivity with my laptop, the speed looked good. I had previously added my travel router’s SSID and password to the hotspot, so soon after powering up I was hearing the sounds of DMR coming from my HT. This configuration worked great, and I successfully checked into a few nets during the week.
The next time I go out there to visit, I’ll just need to power up the router and the hotspot, and everything should work. (Knock on wood)
No ground-breaking technological advances here. I just love when a plan comes together.
73, Craig WB3GCK
[Disclaimer: I have no monetary interest in this product, and there are no affiliate links in this post.I’m just a satisfied owner.]
Lest in diesem Beitrag, auf welchen Wert ihr die Mikrofonempfindlichkeit eurer YAESU- und Icom-Geräte ideal einstellt. Brüllend laut!! So oder manchmal auch zu leise hört man in allen möglichen Räumen die User und natürlich auch auf allen FM Relais. Das ist bei uns im digitalen Bereich natürlich genauso wie auf FM. In einem Multi Chat … Brüllend laut!! So stellt ihr das Mic Gain richtig ein weiterlesen
Wir haben den SharkRF openSPOT 4 Pro für euch getestet. Unsere Erfahrungsbericht. Wenn es keine Infrastruktur wie Relais in deinem Einzugsbereich gibt, du aber dennoch am Funkbetrieb teilhaben möchtest, bietet sich ein Hotspot an. Dieses, meist kleine, Gerät ermöglicht es dir, deine Funkgeräte und Zubehör zu verwenden, so das richtiges Funk-Feeling aufkommt. Der Unterschied liegt … SharkRF openSPOT 4 Pro: Hotspot für die Hosentasche weiterlesen
Thank you to Adrian Musceac (author of QRadioLink) for submitting his article about how he implemented an amateur radio DMR Tier III Trunked Radio Base Station with a LimeNet-Micro software-defined radio. DMR Tier III is a digital voice trunked radio system that employs Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technology. Tier III is largely based on Tier II, but adds trunking abilities which enable efficient channel access and resource allocation.
The LimeNET Micro is a software defined radio based on the LimeSDR, but it has some upgraded specifications such as an embedded Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3+ that make it easier to deploy as a base station.
Adrian writes:
The Tier III extension (trunked radio) to the DMR standard is defined and specified by the European Telecommunications Standards Insititute (ETSI) in the TS 102 361-4 document.
The project uses LimeNet-Micro, LimeSDR-mini or Ettus USRP hardware to set up such a base station for experimental and amateur radio digital voice communications purposes. The core components of this project are MMDVM, MMDVMHost (both under the form of forks supporting communication via ZeroMQ and pseudo-TTY), GNU Radio, DMRGateway, QRadioLink and the DMR trunked radio controller GUI.
Since DMR trunked radio is not very well known and used in the amateur radio world, I hope this will bring some new information to amateurs interested in these digital voice communication technologies. All code used is available as free and open source software (FOSS). A demo of the project used with real world amateur radio communications can be found on the page.
This tutorial explains how to modify Retevis Ailunce HD2's band for different IARU regions and outlines the advantages of DMR in ham radio, including text messaging.
In diesem Beitrag berichten wir euch von unseren ersten Gehversuchen mit dem Connect Systems CD800D Plus, Analog und DMR Dualband Mobilgerät. Aber bevor wir anfangen, das aller Wichtigste zuerst 😎 So, nach der ersten Befriedigung (dem Abziehen der Display-Schutzfolie) können wir das Gerät nun endlich mal verkabeln und schauen, was es so zu bieten hat. … CS800D Plus – Mühsam ernährt sich das Eichhörnchen! weiterlesen
Like many amateur operators, I have far too many handie talkies (HTs). I’ve cycled through many, and sold or given away many that I was done with. Some of those I wish I hadn’t sold (like the Kenwood TH-D74), but others I was glad to be rid of. I thought I would take a few paragraphs to talk about what I use day to day, and what I like and don’t like about these radios. I should note that I won’t discuss the HTs that I use in wildland fire communications as that is an entirely different purpose and topic.
On a regular basis and in addition to analog FM, I use DMR and Yaesu C4FM. To a lesser extent, I use P25 on amateur networks. Rarely do I ever use D-STAR any more, and then only via DVswitch and the mobile app on the phone.
I like using DMR. I’ve always liked the networks (specifically Brandmeister) and the architecture. I know, the digital audio is totally different than the richness of analog, but it’s still fun. And DMR was where I really learned about bridging and how I got into XLX reflectors.
For DMR, I mainly use the Anytone 878UV Plus II. I also use a Radioddity GD77 with the OpenGD77 firmware, and a Motorola XPR7550e. Of these three, I think the 878 is probably the best everyday choice. Yes, the 878 has its weird quirks, and the CPS (Customer Programming Software) is pretty bad, but the radio is fairly solid and easy to operate. And it sounds very good, both on receive and transmit. I also like the form factor and feel in the hand when operating. The OpenGD77 firmware is probably the most ham-friendly DMR firmware in existence, and is a pleasure to operate. But the hardware (Radioddity GD77) isn’t nearly as nice as the Anytone. I do like this radio as well, and keep one in the shed and use it while I’m out working in the yard. These radios as so inexpensive that you can have a couple and not worry about beating them up. In addition, both the 878 and the GD77 work very well with the Mobilinkd TNC4 for packet.
I don’t use the Motorola XPR7550e as much. It is a good solid radio, but is lacking a lot of the ham friendly features (like direct TG entry and persistence). I use it mostly on the Rocky Mountain Ham Radio region-wide DMR network where I am usually parked on one repeater/TG (Talkgroup) or roaming on a single TG.
For Yaesu C4FM (commonly referred to as “Fusion”), I use the FT-5DR. I also have an older FT-2DR, but it is relegated to my PDN (Personal Digital Node). The FT-5DR is a decent radio, and has a lot of APRS features. But to me, it feels pretty cheap. Indeed, mine has develoepd the dreaded case crack (or “mold line” as Yaesu likes to call it). It also goes through batteries very quickly. I always carry 2 extra batteries for this radio. I think my main gripes about this radio are the audio quality and the form factor. It does not sound very good, probably owing to the tiny size and small speaker. And it feels uncomfortable to hold an operate. I mostly use Yaesu C4FM because it is becoming more and more popular in our area, but I will admit that I am a bit of a reluctant user.
In my opinion, the Kenwood TH-D74 was the best APRS HT that I have ever owned. I should not have sold that. Kenwood’s APRS implementation and UI are much better than Yaesu’s, and the receiver in the Kenwood radios is much, much better than the Yaesu. I just wish Kenwood hadn’t gone with D-STAR as their digital mode of choice.
Finally, I use P25 a bit over a hotspot on amateur radio. For that I use a UHF Motorola XTS2500. I said I wouldn’t talk about wildland fire radios in this post, but I did it anyway. I also use this radio on fires, as it is one of the NIFC (National Interagency Fire Center) approved radios. This is a very solid older radio with great audio. The CPS is a real bear to deal with (read: it is horrible and not ham friendly), but the radio is awesome. On fires, I use it with a very large AA batttery clamshell that holds 12 batteries, but around the house I use an old rechargeable battery.
Anyway, as you can see I like HTs Maybe in a future post I will discuss some others, and talk about what we use in wildland fire.
Ein Dualband Mobilfunkgerät mit abnehmbarem Bedienteil, das sowohl analoges FM, DMR, C4FM, P25, NXDN und D-STAR kann? Du träumst wohl! …Oder etwa nicht? Nicht wenn es nach Jerry Wanger KK6LFS von Connect Systems Inc. geht: Mit dem CS800D Plus soll der Traum endlich in Erfüllung gehen. Einführung und Historie Aber der Reihe nach: Ich selbst … CS800D Plus – Eierlegende Wollmilchsau des Digitalfunks? weiterlesen
In diesem Beitrag erklären wir euch, wie ihr mit eurem Pi-Star Hotspot in der Betriebsart DMR in einem Modul eines XLX-Servers sprechen könnt. Um mit einem Pi-Star Hotspot in der Betriebsart DMR an ein XLX Modul senden zu können, müssen die folgenden Einstellungen vorgenommen werden: Falls nicht anders konfiguriert, könnt ihr den XLX jetzt über … XLX-Zugang mit Pi-Star in DMR weiterlesen
Hier findet er eine Übersicht über die aktuell verfügbaren Hotspots für digitale Sprachübertragung. Die Übersicht erhebt keinen Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit, wir werden sie für euch aber fortlaufend aktualisieren. Es lohnt sich also, immer mal wieder herein zu schauen. Was ist ein Hotspot? Hotspots ermöglichen euch in eurem nahen Umfeld, also z.B. in eurer Wohnung oder … Übersicht digitaler Hotspots mit integriertem TRX weiterlesen
Die meisten von euch kennen ihn natürlich oder haben ihn zumindest schon einmal gesehen – den Jumbospot. Eigentlich eine ganz normale MMDVM Platine, nur mit der Besonderheit das Sie auf einen Raspberry-Pi Zero passt (auf größere Modelle natürlich auch). Diesen gab es bisher nur als Simplex Modell. Seit kurzer Zeit ist er aber auch als … OSTAR: Neuer Hotspot für Duplex-Betrieb weiterlesen
A short while ago, the new Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W was announced. The original Pi Zero and the Zero W are widely used in MMDVM based hotspots and the new Zero 2 W is a direct, drop in replacement. The most obvious question is whether you need to replace your Pi Zero with a […]
There have been some changes to the DMR node recently.
This version changes only those related to the recently changed DMR node. If you normally use Version 1.0 or Version 0.95, no upgrade is required.
DVPi uses the USRP Client protocol. When you install and use DVSwitch, you must read and comply with the license that appears. The user is responsible for the license for the use of DVPi.
2.What was added in Version 1.03 (from Version 1.0)
-To reduce user confusion, the MMDVM password change function has been removed.
If the DMR's BM password has been changed, it can be changed on the DVSwitch Settings Change screen.
- It is not a function you use. Changed the TX/RX frequency of MMDVM to the same frequency. This is because the new DMR rule may not work if the frequency is different.
3.How to Install
There is a detailed explanation about more detailed installation method and H/W configuration on my blog.
The following explains how to download and configure to use DVPi. Please refer to another post for more details.
3.1 Download
Download the dvpi_103.zip and dvpimanager_103.zip files from the download link.
Unzip the downloaded files (dvpi_103.zip, dvpimanager_103.zip)
3.2 Write the dvpi_103.img file to the SD card.
Formatting the SD card is not mandatory. When I apply the image file to the SD card, sometimes an error occurs, so I format it first.
Apply the dvpi_103.img file to the SD card with Win32Disk Imager.
After completion, remove the SD card and insert it into the Raspberry Pi of the DVPi.
Connect power to the DVPi. (power on DVPi)
Sometimes, depending on the LCD, the screen is turned upside down, You can reverse the top and bottom of the screen in DVPi Manager.
At the time of the first boot, because there is no setting, it is not possible to log in.
3.3 Find DVPi IP Address
The Raspberry Pi image used in DVPi is automatically assigned an IP (using DHCP Server).
You can use the DVPi Manager to find out the IP of the DVPi.
Run DVPi Manager -> Click the 'Find DVPi' Button
Click the 'Find' Button
(If multiple LAN cards are installed in your computer, you must select the IP address of your computer before clicking the 'Find' button)
I have 3 DVPi and they are all found. Once you have found the IP of the DVPi you can use ssh.
DVPi can be accessed with ssh id: pi, password: dvpi
3.4 Installing DVSwitch and Setting up DVSwitch
(DVSwitch installation is only necessary to embed DVSwitch into DVPi)
Execute DVPi Manager -> Input DVPi IP Address -> Click the 'Connect' Button
Click the 'Easy setup of installed DV Switch'
To embed DVSwitch into DVPi, you only need to execute 4 commands. The four commands are explained in the center of the screen.
Rutn the SSH Client as putty
Login ID : pi, Passwor d: dvpi
Execute the commands described in DVPi Manager one by one.
It is convenient to use copy and paste.
In the case of putty, you can copy and paste multiple lines at once.
Execute 'sudo apt-get install -y dvswitch'
If all 4 commands were executed, your DVPi would have DVSwitch installed.
Setting up DVSwitch is easy with just a few entries.
Enter your callsign and DMR ID,
Unique ID is your Hotspot number that is unique. Any number you don't use is fine.
Choose Brand Meister Host, It is recommended to choose a server in your country.
(The US1 server that was set as the default until DVPi Version 1.0 is no longer operated)
If you have changed your password in Brand Meister, you must change the password field to your password.
The BM password can be changed here.
Enter the changed password.
Enter the Location field, the rest is not required, but it is strongly recommended to enter latitude and longitude.
Click the 'Apply All Setting' button.
The screen below is displayed and the operation takes about 1 minute.
When all settings are completed, the following message is displayed.
After rebooting DVPi, you should be connected to the DVSwitch server as shown below.
You can also check your Hotspot list if you log in to Brand Meister. I set the unique number 37 and it was displayed as follows.
3.5 flip the screen upside down
(This is only necessary if the screen is upside down like me. If your screen appears normally, this step is not necessary.)
Click the 'DVPi Basic Setup'
Click the '3.5 LCD 180 (upside down)' Button click
After rebooting, it will display normally as shown below.
3.6 Using DVPi
(For detailed usage and hardware configuration, please refer to other posts)
I will configure the DVPi to Dual Mode. Since it's in Single Mode now, only VFOA works.
Since VFOB copies the settings of VFOA as it is, it is necessary to test whether VFOA works well.
Change TG
Reception is good. You have to test the transmission. If you are using D-Star, I recommend testing up to D-Star.
3.7 Dual Mode Settings
Connect to DVPi via SSH Client
Execute the setdvs2.sh command.
(./setdvs2.sh new unique number, The unique number is the new Hotspot number.
ex ./setdvs2.sh 38)
You can ignore the following error messages during script execution. (This is because it is a command to delete if it is already installed)
When all execution is completed, it asks if you want to reboot as follows.
No reboot required. This is because DVPi Manager will cause the DVPi to reboot.
Run DVPI manager
Click the 'DVPi Basic Setup'
After selecting Dual VFO as shown below, click the 'Apply All Setting' button.
(You may select 'Use Voice' if you wish to use the voice guidance function of DVPi)
When all settings are completed, DVPi automatically reboots.
After rebooting, DVPi operates in Dual Mode.
How to use DVPi's Dual Mode is described in detail in another post.
I tried changing the TG of VFO B.
3.8 DVPi's Hardware Settings
DVPi does not require any hardware other than the Raspberry Pi, sound card and LCD.
But for convenience, you can add things like buttons that you need.
How to add hardware to the DVPi is detailed in another post.
Run DVPi Manager
Click the 'Settings to use rotary encoder, PTT, and VOX functions' Button
In my case, I chose all of the below because I had a rotary encoder and buttons.
(If the direction of the rotary encoder is opposite, the numbers in the red square box below are interchanged)
When the activation selection for hardware is finished, click the 'Apply All Setting' button.
If the DVPi is equipped with a rotary encoder, it is possible to check who is in the TG as shown below.
4. conclusion
DVPi has quite a few features. In this post, I only set the settings for some of the features that are absolutely necessary for me.
Version 1.0 and Version 0.95 are the same. If you are using Version 0.95 you do not need to update to Version 1.0.
DVPiManager has some features added. If you want to use features added in Versio 1.0, you only need to download dvpimanager.
DVPi uses the USRP Client protocol. When you install and use DVSwitch, you must read and comply with the license that appears. The user is responsible for the license for the use of DVPi.
Well September has come and gone in this crazy year. EMT Class has been keeping me pretty busy so not much has happened radio wise. I've made a few contacts on good ol' FT8, but that's about it operating wise.
I applied for several awards from the FT8 Digital Mode Club. Hope to hear back that they are approved soon!
Some home improvement projects have been completed so I can finally start looking for a new desk. Moving back from my apartment I lost a decent chunk of desk space so everything (radio and non-radio) is crammed on one desk with no storage, just a hutch on top of it. I forgot how hard it was to find a desk that fits both space and personal requirements 😁.
In other news I received my ARRL ballot for this years election of the Great Lakes Division Director and Vice Director. I hope all of my fellow members with elections in your division/section cast a vote!
I also made a few updates to the code plug in my 878UV. Eventually I'll get around to updating the radios in the car. Unfortunately my pi-star hot-spot has stopped working. Not sure what happened to it, seems like the MMDVM board is functioning but the Pi-zero is not. I've tried re-flashing the image and replacing the SD card. I've been wanting to upgrade to a duplex model, maybe this is a sign to pick up a duplex board!
I was able to attend KY4ARC's monthly (virtual) meeting for October. I'm looking forward to becoming a member in January when the dues are due!
You can use D-Star only by checking whether to 'Enable D-Star' in DVPi Manager.
Touch the 'More' button -> Touch the 'Mode (displayed DMR or DStar)' Button
The video below shows the activation of D-Star during the initial installation of DVPi.
If you are already using D-Star, you will not be able to use it on two at the same time. If you want to use D-Star in DVPi, you need to log off in another device. If anyone has solved this problem, please tell me.
2.2 Dual Mode
You can use two VFOs in the same way as a conventional VHF/UHF transceiver.
You can use two DVSwitch servers or DVLink. Or, if you operate DVPi as Standalone, you can create session 2 by copying the existing installed DVSwitch in DVPi.
If you are using DVPi stand alone, just run the setdvs2.sh command to copy the DVSwitch installed in DVPi and add a new session.
Unique ID values must be entered differently from existing values.
Example)
Session 1 Unique ID is 51
Sesssion 2 Unique ID is 58
In order to distinguish Hotspot in DMR network, you must use different Unique ID.
Select Dual VFO in DVPi Manager.
It will operate in Dual Mode as shown below.
Important Point: If you use DVPi stand alone, D-Star only works on VFO A.
The video below shows how to create Session 2 by copying the DVSwitch installed in DVPi and operate DVPi as Dual Mode.
2.3 Function Switch 2
Function Switch2 can be used as Mode change or VFO change according to your selection.
Example of using Function Switch2 as a mode change switch
3.conclusion
The host.brandmeister.network server is not serviced, and the entire Talkgroup status can no longer be retrieved. So, the underline of DVPi's Talkgroup Button is disabled.
I'm trying to restore that functionality in Version 0.9. If we connect to brandmester.network directly, it will generate quite a lot of traffic. This is a problem for us as well, but it could also cause problems on the brandmeister.network server.
So I am thinking of building a separate server to minimize traffic.
Until version 1.0, we plan to stabilize without adding features.
Thank you for using and testing.
We are always grateful to the DVSwitch team for implementing most of the features.
Well not a lot has been going on radio wise the last month, except for a few FT8 QSOs here and there. I started an EMT class on the 17th that has been keeping me pretty busy! I may start trying to chat a little on my way to Ashland every now and then.
I've been working on updating the firmware and codeplugs on my radios (some were long overdue!). I've added a few repeaters to my Anytone 878, including a couple of DMR repeaters near Ashland that I didn't know were there (I still need to add them to the CS 800D in the car). Now I just need to use them!
I think the last of my QSL cards for the 13 Colonies Event came in. All of them should now be viewable in the QSL Archive. My Certificate came in as well. It looks great! I'm thinking about framing my certificates with their QSL cards for each year, I think it would be nice to hang up!
2020 13 Colonies Certificate
In my last post I mentioned waiting for full results from the Kentucky QSO Party. Well they were finally posted. My final score of 3,036 points put me at 19 out 35 in my category (Single Op-Low), 24th out of 44 for just Single Op and 33rd out of 54 overall. Not bad for my first showing! Next year I hope to do even better.
I been thinking about adding another antenna to my setup. A simple dipole for 10m. I know a lot of people in my area talk on 10 pretty regularly so I'd like to have a dedicated antenna to use. I have everything (I think) I need to build one. Plus the pulley on my mast is empty since I moved the G5RV. I just need the time to get around to it! Eventually I'll add a 2nd G5RV but that's not an option right now.
One last thing: Please feel free to share my blog and website to someone who may be interested!
Well that's all for now. Hopefully I'll have more for the next update!
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