Repeater Call Sign: VE3RWN
Location: Baltimore
Frequency: 444.9750 +
FM PL Tone: 162.2
DMR: CC 1 (NEW!!)
Sponsor: VE3RWN Randy Neals – Kawartha Lakes Amateur Radio Club
VE3RWN 444.9750 Cobourg Updated!!
dmr
FreeDMR
FreeDMR
The new system is derived from HBlink and is fully-open source and available on GitHUB. The server software allows the implementation of features as we would like to see them, making the software completely customisable to your needs. This also allows the response to issues and bugs more effectively. This system is bridged to other Servers, providing a frontend system with enhanced functionality. It also enabled repeaters to be able to communicate even if a Server upstream is down. An overview of the added functionality is below. Note, all of this functionality is optional and configurable.
On the 9 November 2020, the birth of a new way of working with DMR was born.
A network name was devised and was called
FreeDMR
FreeDMR is the freedom for Repeater/Gateway Keepers and some Hotspots to have full control of what happens instead of being told what has to go where.
We look forward to a great and bright future.
FreeDMR is a DMR Network for Amateur radio users around the world.
FreeDMR is currently looking for OpenBridge connections to connect to a rapidly growing system.
Open Source is here! FreeDMR – Open networking – Reaching out to the World.
New Canadian talk groups have been added.
| Country | Talk Groups | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 302 | Canada Wide |
| Canada | 3020 | Newfoundland & Labrador & P.E.I. |
| Canada | 3021 | Nova Scotia |
| Canada | 3022 | Quebec |
| Canada | 3023 | Ontario |
| Canada | 3024 | Manitoba |
| Canada | 3025 | Saskatchewan |
| Canada | 3026 | Alberta |
| Canada | 3027 | British Columbia |
| Canada | 3028 | Nunavut, Yukon & NWT |
| Canada | 3029 | New Brunswick |
For more information, click here.
Brandmeister Decommissioning 3101, Replacing It With 3104
Released by Brandmeister
Starting on May 1st, 2021 we will be asking users who are presently connected to Master Server 3101 to
start making plans to move your devices (Repeaters, Hotspots, Bridges) to the new 3104 master server.
The reason for this change is due to an unforeseen circumstance which is requiring us to decommission
the 3101 Master Server on or around Dec 1st, 2021. This should provide users plenty of advance notice
to begin moving to the new 3104 Master server which is in the Chicago data center.
We are sorry for the inconvenience this may provide some users but with the advanced notice we hope
the transition will allow for all to move by Dec 1st, 2021.
The New 3104 Information for repeater owners and hotspot users:
IPV4: 162.248.88.117
IPV6: Not Available at this time (future announcement will be made when available)
Domain: 3104.repeater.net
Location: Chicago
Hotspot Users: You may change to the new 3104 Master Server any time before December 1, 2021. You will need to
change master servers in the drop down under DMR Configuration to “BM_3104_United_States” for pi-star users and “3104 US” for Openspot/BlueDV Users. You may also need to re-enter your password as Pi-Star might remove the password when making configuration changes. Please be patient as hotspot vendors update their server list as you may not find the new server initially.
Repeater Owners: Motorola and Hytera repeaters: You will need to update the IP Address or Domain Name in CPS/code plug and save / push your changes to the repeaters (Motorola and/or Hytera Repeaters).
MMDVMHost repeaters: You will need to update the configuration file with the new IP or Domain Name
to the 3104 master server.
Pi-Star repeaters: You will need to change master servers in the drop down under DMR Configuration to
BM_3104_United_States. You may also need to re-enter your password as Pi-Star might remove the
password when making configuration changes.
Bridge Connections:
OpenBridge: Please plan to move your connection by November 31st, 2021 by placing a ticket at
https://support.brandmeister.network. You will need to change the IP or Domain to the new server.
CBridge: Please plan to move your connection by November 31st, 2021 by placing a ticket at
https://suport.brandmeister.network. You will need to change the inbound connection name to BM-US3104.
XLX Servers: Please plan to move your connection by November 31st, 2021 by placing a ticket at
https://support.brandmeister.network. This move will require you to update the IP or domain name in
your configuration. (XLXxxx 3104.repeater.net X).
YSF Reflectors: No Changes are needed on your end. Your connections have already been moved to
BM3104.
NXDN Reflectors: No Changes are needed on your end. Your connections have already been moved to
BM3104.WiresX: No Changes are needed on your end. Your connections have already been moved to BM3104.
Note: Users on 3102 and 3103 are not affected by this change. Only users who are using 3101 will need
to move their connection to 3104 before December 1, 2021 or may of course change sooner once it
displays in your hotspot master server dropdowns
DMR Brandmeister Hotspot Password will be Required!
ATTN – DMR users that use a Hotspot –
From Corey Dean, who is in charge of the DMR Master servers for the US:
Due to issues that have been happening recently, we are going to need to start requiring users to set a hotspot security password to gain access to the US Masters. If you already have a hotspot security password set on the bm portal, you can ignore this post.
We are going to start requiring this on master 3101 November 30th, 3102 will follow on December 4th, and 3103 on December 11th. This is already implemented on the RU masters, and other Master servers will follow.
At this time this will just be for hotspots. The API is being worked on to allow repeater owners to make this change as well, but it is not quite ready to go yet.
CLICK for a link to a post on how to set your hotspot security on the bm portal.
DMR and My Hotspot
I have had my HD1 DMR radio for a couple of weeks now and the hotspot for about a week. After spending somw time fine tuning the hotspot BER%, I am pretty happy.
DMR has opened a new window, and access that I couldn’t get with AllStar. Not being reliant on a repeater for access at home is pretty cool too.
I will be updating my ham pages and adding more detail to the DMR and local repeater pages as well. I’ll also will be adding a page for the MMDVM hotspot, with the history and details on how I set mine up.
Now Active on DMR!
I am now active on DMR. I am currently using VE3OBI, till my hotspot is delivered. Pending any programming issues. 🙂 This is all new for me, so it will be interesting.
I’ll be recreating my DMR Network page with new information on the radios/HT’s and MMDVM hotspots.
It has a spot here.
VE3OBI DMR is back online!
[UPDATED] The VE3OBI DMR is back online on 442.1375 (CC1) and my DMR page has been updated. Based on conversations so far, it seems OBI will be on the BrandMeister network and is located in the Raglan, ON area.
Currently, there are no repeaters in the Durham area, that are on the DMR-MARC network, as the Toronto repeater has been turned off, due to jamming.
A quick update. It looks like OBI is now connected to the BrandMeister Network.
For more information on local DMR repeaters, visit my local page here.
Uniden SDS100 Now Available!
A revolutionary new SDR Based scanner that reduces simulcast interference with a completely customization display. With the easy to use ZIP Code or postal code programming it is set up in minutes.
Uniden has once again hit it out of the park with the forthcoming release of the entirely new SDS100 portable scanner radio.
This true I/Q Scanner is the first scanner to incorporate Software Defined Radio technology to provide incredible digital performance in even the most challenging RF environments. The SDS100’s digital performance is better than any other scanner in both simulcast and weak-signal environments. This is the first scanner to signal the end of the notorious digital trunking simulcast distortion problem! Hallelujah and thank you, Uniden!
The SDS100 is also the first scanner that allows one to arrange the multi-color display any way you want. Change colors, locations and layouts on the brilliant color display.
The scanner memory is enormous but it also provides the entire US and Canadian databases already loaded on the included SD memory card. This scanner has it all! Optional GPS control, DMR, NXDN and ProVoice operation are available. See our web page for lots more details and videos.
Quantities will be limited and availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Digital Amateur Radio
The following are the different digital modes being used the the Durham Region area. Some of the repeaters are in multi-mode, where different modes are available in addition to regular FM voice.
DMR – Digital Mobile Radio
DMR, or Digital Mobile Radio, is explained in more detail, via my scanner DMR page, but a more simplistic explanation follows:
Tier I
DMR Tier I products are for license-free use in the 446 MHz band in the European Union.
This part of the standard provides for consumer applications and low-power commercial applications, using a maximum of 0.5 watt RF power. With a limited number of channels and no use of repeaters, no use of telephone interconnects, fixed/integrated antennas, and a talk timer of 180 seconds, Tier I DMR devices are best suited for personal use, recreation, small retail and other settings that do not require wide area coverage or advanced features.
Tier II
DMR Tier II covers licensed conventional radio systems, mobiles and hand portables operating in PMR frequency bands from 66-960MHz. The ETSI DMR Tier II standard is targeted at those users who need spectral efficiency, advanced voice features and integrated IP data services in licensed bands for high-power communications. ETSI DMR Tier II specifies two slot TDMA in 12.5 kHz channels.
DMR Tier II is based on the following ETSI standards.
- ETSI TS 102 361-1 Air interface
- ETSI TS 102 361-2 Voice and generic services and facilities
- ETSI TS 102 361-3 Data protocol
Tier III
DMR Tier III covers trunking operation in frequency bands 66-960MHz. The Tier III standard specifies two slot TDMA in 12.5kHz channels. Tier III supports voice and short messaging handling similar to MPT 1327 with built-in 128 character status messaging and short messaging with up to 288 bits of data in a variety of formats. It also supports packet data service in a variety of formats, including support for IPv4 and IPv6.
Talk Groups
Talk Groups (TG) are a way for groups of users to share a time slot, without distracting and disrupting other users of the time slot. It should be noted that only one Talk Group can be using a time slot at a time. If your radio is not programmed to listen to a Talk Group, you will not hear that Talk Group’s traffic.
The DMR-MARC Mototrbo™ network supports a number of Talk Groups on TS1 including World Wide (TG1, PTT), North America (TG3), and World Wide English (TG13). TS2 is for local, state, and regional Talk Groups. The DCI/TRBO network uses TG3163 for North America and TG3161 for World Wide, and TG3 for World Wide English on TS2.
The DMR standard also supports private calls (one-to-one), encryption, and data. Private calls are not allowed by most of the amateur networks and many consider private calls not amateur friendly; private calls tie up a large number of repeater time slots across the network. Encryption is not legal on amateur radio in the USA but is allowed in Canada! Data and text messaging is supported on some networks.
For simplex traffic, the accepted standard in the amateur community is to use TG99 on TS1 with CC1.
DMR Repeaters
The following DMR repeaters are available in the Durham Region area:
BrandMeister Network
VE3OBI – Courtice – 442.1375 – CC1
VE3SBX – Ajax – 442.3625 – CC3
VE3LBN – Oshawa – 443.9875 – CC3
VA3WIK – Toronto – 442.1875 – CC4
VE3NUS – Toronto – 444.2875 – CC1
TalkGroups
9 = Local/Region
91 = Worldwide
93 = North America
99 = Simplex
302 = Canada
310 = TAC-310
311 = TAC-311
3023 = Ontario
DMR-MARC Network
VA3XPR – Toronto – 442.3375 – CC1 (Disabled due to jamming)
The following are the different digital modes being used the the Durham Region area. Some of the repeaters are in multi-mode, where different modes are available in addition to regular FM voice.
DMR – Digital Mobile Radio
DMR, or Digital Mobile Radio, is explained in more detail, via my scanner DMR page, but a more simplistic explanation follows:
Tier I
DMR Tier I products are for license-free use in the 446 MHz band in the European Union.
This part of the standard provides for consumer applications and low-power commercial applications, using a maximum of 0.5 watt RF power. With a limited number of channels and no use of repeaters, no use of telephone interconnects, fixed/integrated antennas, and a talk timer of 180 seconds, Tier I DMR devices are best suited for personal use, recreation, small retail and other settings that do not require wide area coverage or advanced features.
Tier II
DMR Tier II covers licensed conventional radio systems, mobiles and hand portables operating in PMR frequency bands from 66-960MHz. The ETSI DMR Tier II standard is targeted at those users who need spectral efficiency, advanced voice features and integrated IP data services in licensed bands for high-power communications. ETSI DMR Tier II specifies two slot TDMA in 12.5 kHz channels.
DMR Tier II is based on the following ETSI standards.
- ETSI TS 102 361-1 Air interface
- ETSI TS 102 361-2 Voice and generic services and facilities
- ETSI TS 102 361-3 Data protocol
Tier III
DMR Tier III covers trunking operation in frequency bands 66-960MHz. The Tier III standard specifies two slot TDMA in 12.5kHz channels. Tier III supports voice and short messaging handling similar to MPT 1327 with built-in 128 character status messaging and short messaging with up to 288 bits of data in a variety of formats. It also supports packet data service in a variety of formats, including support for IPv4 and IPv6.
Talk Groups
Talk Groups (TG) are a way for groups of users to share a time slot, without distracting and disrupting other users of the time slot. It should be noted that only one Talk Group can be using a time slot at a time. If your radio is not programmed to listen to a Talk Group, you will not hear that Talk Group’s traffic.
The DMR-MARC Mototrbo™ network supports a number of Talk Groups on TS1 including World Wide (TG1, PTT), North America (TG3), and World Wide English (TG13). TS2 is for local, state, and regional Talk Groups. The DCI/TRBO network uses TG3163 for North America and TG3161 for World Wide, and TG3 for World Wide English on TS2.
The DMR standard also supports private calls (one-to-one), encryption, and data. Private calls are not allowed by most of the amateur networks and many consider private calls not amateur friendly; private calls tie up a large number of repeater time slots across the network. Encryption is not legal on amateur radio in the USA but is allowed in Canada! Data and text messaging is supported on some networks.
For simplex traffic, the accepted standard in the amateur community is to use TG99 on TS1 with CC1.
DMR Repeaters
The following DMR repeaters are available in the Durham Region area:
BrandMeister Network
VE3OBI – Courtice – 442.1375 – CC1
VE3SBX – Ajax – 442.3625 – CC3
VE3LBN – Oshawa – 443.9875 – CC3
VA3WIK – Toronto – 442.1875 – CC4
VE3NUS – Toronto – 444.2875 – CC1
TalkGroups
9 = Local/Region
91 = Worldwide
93 = North America
99 = Simplex
302 = Canada
310 = TAC-310
311 = TAC-311
3023 = Ontario
DMR-MARC Network
VA3XPR – Toronto – 442.3375 – CC1 (Disabled due to jamming)
TalkGroups
1 = World Wide
2 = Local 1
3 = North America
8 = Golden Horseshoe Area
9 = Local 2
13 = WW English
113 = UAE 1
123 = UAE 2
302 = Canada
310 = TAC310
3023 = Ontario
3022 = Quebec
3024 = Manitoba
3026 = Alberta
3029 = New Brunswick
3027 = British Columbia
9998 = Parrot
9999 = Audio Test
Presently, all Toronto area DMR-MARC repeaters have been disabled due to jamming/interference.
NXDN – Next Generation Digital Narrowband
The NXDN (Next Generation Digital Narrowband) common air interface protocol, which was developed jointly by ICOM and Kenwood, uses Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), employing a 4-level FSK modulation scheme. These companies and others together form the NXDN Forum.
Kenwood’s brand for NXDN equipment is “NEXEDGE”, while Icom’s brand for NXDN equipment is “IDAS”, or Icom Digital Advanced System. For a more detailed information via my scanner NXDN page.
NXDN Repeaters
The following NXDN repeaters are available in the Durham Region area:
TalkGroups
1 = World Wide
2 = Local 1
3 = North America
8 = Golden Horseshoe Area
9 = Local 2
13 = WW English
113 = UAE 1
123 = UAE 2
302 = Canada
310 = TAC310
3023 = Ontario
3022 = Quebec
3024 = Manitoba
3026 = Alberta
3029 = New Brunswick
3027 = British Columbia
9998 = Parrot
9999 = Audio Test
Presently, all Toronto area DMR-MARC repeaters have been disabled due to jamming/interference.
NXDN – Next Generation Digital Narrowband
The NXDN (Next Generation Digital Narrowband) common air interface protocol, which was developed jointly by ICOM and Kenwood, uses Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), employing a 4-level FSK modulation scheme. These companies and others together form the NXDN Forum.
Kenwood’s brand for NXDN equipment is “NEXEDGE”, while Icom’s brand for NXDN equipment is “IDAS”, or Icom Digital Advanced System. For a more detailed information via my scanner NXDN page.
NXDN Repeaters
The following NXDN repeaters are available in the Durham Region area:
Work in progress..
DMR in Durham Region Area
For updated DMR information, click here.
The following DMR repeaters are available in the Durham Region area.
BrandMeister Network
VE3SBX – Ajax – 442.3625 – CC3
VE3LBN – Oshawa – 443.9875 – CC3
VA3WIK – Singhampton – 442.1875 – CC4
VE3NUS – Toronto – 444.2875 – CC1
TalkGroups
9 = Local/Region
91 = Worldwide
93 = North America
302 = Canada
310 = TAC-310
311 = TAC-311
3023 = Ontario
DMR-MARC Network
VE3OBI – Kendal – 442.1375 – CC1
TalkGroups
1 = World Wide
2 = Local 1
3 = North America
8 = Golden Horseshoe Area
9 = Local 2
13 = WW English
113 = UAE 1
123 = UAE 2
302 = Canada
310 = TAC310
3023 = Ontario
3022 = Quebec
3024 = Manitoba
3026 = Alberta
3029 = New Brunswick
3027 = British Columbia
9998 = Parrot
9999 = Audio Test
Presently, all Toronto area DMR-MARC repeaters have been disabled due to jamming/interference.