Changing nature of amateur radio

At one time, the only way we could talk across the world by amateur radio was by HF contacts. Things are changing.  

These days, there are many alternatives such as DMR, D-STAR and Echolink. Many use the internet as the backbone, whereas in the past we had to rely on HF propagation and the ionosphere. 

Even with a VHF or UHF transceivers worldwide contacts are possible. I remember being amazed that with a DMR portable sitting on the bookshelf DX from across the planet could be heard.

DMR access with an Android phone

Some months ago, I found a way of accessing the worldwide DMR network from an Android phone. This needed no dongles, DMR phone, or hotspots. The RX was left on monitoring and stations from across the planet were heard. I joined in a local net.

In the end, DMR left me cold and I have not used it for some time. It was too easy! I think the app was called Droidstar. 

UPDATE 1202z:  I could not see a similar app for an Apple iPhone.

DMR and network radios

Many people have no DMR radios, but have Android phones. This was the case with me. I had a network radio that was hardly used.  I found an app called Droidstar that enabled me to access the DMR network and thus worldwide contacts with a handheld. It has not been used often, but at least I can use DMR if I want to. I have found it more interesting just to listen.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/network-radio . 

DMR

Last evening, I went on DMR briefly. As I have no DMR gear, I used my Android network radio with an app called Droidstar. With this, access to the worldwide DMR network is possible.

My only reason for going on was to briefly go on the local CDARC net to give my apologies for tonight's FM net.

DMR is OK to have on in the background, but does not exactly "turn me on". It is OK for skeds, nets, and worldwide chats with a handheld, but is not really my "thing".

My network radio is an Inrico T320. It is ideal as a DMR handheld.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/network-radio.

DMR - like repeaters?

Monitoring DMR on my Android phone with Droidstar, it sounds like a repeater.  At the moment a Welsh station is chatting with a station in Arizona in the USA. 

Like Oscar 100, it seems the fun is getting the gear going, then it is fine for chats, but people soon get bored with nothing much to say. It is OK to listen to in the background or for nets and skeds.   It does not give me much pleasure.

UPDATE 1212z:  Some transmissions are quite broken up either because stations are coming in via repeaters or packets are being lost over the internet. Some signals are very good indeed. It is amusing to hear stations all over the planet chatting like locals.

DMR

As I have no DMR gear I use my Android handheld network radio and an app called Droidstar to access the DMR network as the photo shows. With it, it is possible to work stations the world over. 

This evening, I hope to join the DMR net of our local club. Last week I got the time of the net wrong.

UPDATE 1731z:  Joined the CDARC DMR net this evening. Nice to have a station in the Scilly Isles as well as locals. Initially people were saying I was quiet, so I increased the mic gain.

Network radio

My network radio has been put to good use as a DMR radio. My grandson is amazed that with something so small I can talk to stations across the planet. It is an Android radio, the Inrico T320.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/network-radio.

DMR sked this evening

As readers will be aware, last night I got the time of the CDARC DMR net wrong. Although I know the rig works having had a couple of QSOs on TG91, I have not checked if my settings for the CDARC net are correct, so I am hoping to have a sked at 2000z tonight with a club member to prove all should be OK for next week, at the right time!

UPDATE 2222z:  The DMR test tonight was successful. so I should be able to join the CDARC DMR net next Tuesday at 1700z.

DMR joys

It is surprising how well DMR works. I am monitoring TG91 on my network Android handheld T320 using Droidstar. As yet, I am a novice and there are many things still to learn.  Although a vocoder is used to make the signal digital, it does not really make things sound wrong. I can easily detect accents and everything sounds natural.

However, it is fun to have it monitoring on RX in the background. It is amusing to hear USA stations talking to Australia and a station in Ukraine talking with Australians.

The impression is there is more fun getting things working than actually using the mode. Contacts are just too easy!

First DMR QSO

 My very first DMR QSO!! This morning I worked M7SNS near Leeds on BG-2341 TG91.  All seems to be well.  As I have no DMR gear, I am using my T320 network radio with Droidstar.

DMR journey

At the moment, I am trying to get going on DMR. Although without a DMR radio or hot-spot, access DMR should be possible via my Android phone. 

Some advice has been forthcoming and am working through this. As I get though this, I shall report back. 

UPDATE 1914z: What a mess!!!  Getting active on DMR is complicated! You first have to get a DMR ID (done), register on Brandmeister (done) and get a vocoder. If I am struggling, I imagine many will be too. I am still not connected. Hopefully tomorrow ......or 2030?? Getting going on Echolink was so much easier.

What is working DX?

"Each to their own", as they say. These days, the boundaries are blurred and it is a long time since working DX meant HF bands and QSB. An example is DMR which allows users to talk with others around the world on their VHF handhelds.

In the depths of the last sunspot minimum, many of us bought network radios that used the internet as the backbone. Mine looked and behaved just like a VHF handheld complete with antenna and PTT. With it, one could connect with repeaters on the far side of the planet.

I never enjoyed mine and prefer to work stations the "old" way. Now the sunspot numbers are climbing, this is more possible again.

Now, I am not saying one is any better than the other.  As they say, "each to their own". Ours is a hobby of self training. I am sure there is as much to learn from DMR and network radios as from working DX the "old" way!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/network-radio .

DMR

One part of our hobby that I have never explored is DMR.

There are some dual band portables on the amateur market that cover 2m and 70cm with FM and DMR. I do not even know if there are any DMR repeaters in the area! It is possible that DMR repeaters can be accessed via a PC. Apparently not - you need a radio and hot-spot.

Funny, but this is one area of our hobby that really does not "turn me on". As I have said before, it is a good job we are all different. For some people DMR is a whole area to explore.

There was another excellent Zoom talk last night, arranged by the Cambridge radio club, about DMR. See the photo for a screenshot.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/digital-modes-anytone/anytone/anytone-at-d868uv-vhf-uhf-dmr-handheld-gps-pd-8616.php for an example of a dual band, dual mode FM/DMR handheld.