Digital Mobile Radio references

After a productive club meeting on Saturday, we learned a lot from Andrew Byorth, KG5JDJ, about digital radio “hot spots.”  These small Linux computers (Raspberry Pi) and their radio HATs can act as your gateway to Internet-routed amateur radio such as Digital Mobile Radio (DMR or MotoTrbo), Yaesu Fusion, D-Star and NXDN.  For more information about DMR and amateur radio hot spots, here are a few Web links for you.

Amateur Radio Guide to Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) by John S. Burningham, W2XAB is a nice pamphlet that explains some of the concepts of DMR. 

In addition to your FCC license, you will need a DMR-Marc ID number, which you can get by registering on the radioid.net page.

Rob Robinette has a great web page about amateur radio digital modes and hot spots

Digital Hotspots for Amateur Radio is a presentation from the Richardson Amateur Radio Club and has a lot of information including quite a few more Web links regarding this topic.

Some notes from Andrew:

For those that might be interested in a plug and play hotspot please contact K4WZV. His email is good on QRZ.com. He has a couple different hot spots that he will set up with the customers configuration so when it arrives they are ready to go. The prices vary from around $110 to $189.

The raspberry pi’s can be sourced on amazon, ebay, etc. I always look for the best price. As for the MMDVM boards, you can search for mmdvm hs_hat or zumspot and find sources. I have bought a few on ebay with good luck. The ZUMspot is a little higher end and will cost more, the Chinese copies can be purchased for around 20 dollars. I have had good results with both. Nextion screens can found found easily on ebay. Make sure that the model number starts with a NX#. If is starts with a TJC avoid it.

  • Needed for full build:
  • RPI of your choice, pi-zero, pi 3 B or B+
  • MMDVM, zumspot, mmdvm hs_hat aka.
  • power supply, recommend 2.5 amp
  • OLED screen or Nextion screen if desired.

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