HamPi v1.0 is now available

This is the new June 2020 version that supersedes Ham Radio Image v2.0. It is also a more compressed image at 3.9gb instead of the 5gb of the older image and a new build of the ham radio software. Check out the RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio group on google.io for more information and help.

Download image and other support files here: HamPi v1.0 Image and files
…DOUG
KD4MOJ

DMR info moved to dmr.kd4moj.org

Since DMR is growing by leaps on bounds (currently 3 repeaters covering 6 counties) I’m moving all related DMR info (plugs & news) over to dmr.kd4moj.org. CodePlugs for the Tytera MD-380 portable & Motorola portables and mobiles will be available for download.

In addition to the Tallahassee Downtown repeater, additional NX4DN repeaters (courtesy of K4GFD) are on-line in Greensboro, Gadsden County, and Wacissa in Jefferson County. All 3 are tied together on the Local 2 DMR channel. In the works is a north side Tallahassee repeater to improve communications in northern Leon County and South Georgia.

So come on over to dmr.kd4moj.org to stay informed!

…DOUG
KD4MOJ

Adding Contact information to the MD-380 portable…

After playing around with the MD-380 program and entering frequencies, I decided to investigate the Contacts section of the program. Unlike D-Star which shows you the user callsign when receiving a transmission, DMR only shows you the 7 digit “subscriber  ID or call ID” number which is supplied by the http://www.dmr-marc.net/ folks when you sign up for an ID. There is a database query on the dmr-marc site where you retrieve someones ID by either name or callsign. You would then enter this information in the Digital Contacts section (think of it as an Address Book) of the CPS MD_380 Program. The contact section also contains (probably at the top) the talkgroup information of the repeater or regional network that you want to connect/talk to.

DigitalContacts

There is another alternative to obtaining user ID’s by the FoxHollow folks [LINK]. There is a daily download available from the site that contains all the ID’s on a daily basis. Here is a direct link for the daily contact zip file.

If you wish to bulk import to your MD-380 using a program like the one N0GSG , Tom Wheeler, provides , the daily zip file contains two folders called CS700 & CS750 for the Connect Systems portable radios. The instructions will tell you that the files that you need are in the CS700 folder which are .csv files. However, they are missing two columns that prevent you from importing. In addition to the provided column data called ID, Callsign & Name, you also need a column for Group Call (or private call) and Alert tone. This can be accomplished by opening the file with Excel and creating two new columns for that data.

ContactMgrv120

You can also manipulate the files in the CS750 folder which are Excel XLSX file. These are alittle more complete but the column data is positioned incorrectly. You can moved the columns around to be in the ID, CALL/Name, Group, Alert format then save the file as a comma separated file (.csv). I can make a short video of the two ways to convert the data for import if there is any interest. Drop me an email to mycallsign@kd4moj.org if you would like to see this



Links:

Register for DMR ID This link will take you directly to the www.dmr-marc.net user registration side
Daily ID Zip File:
Tom Wheeler, N0GSG, ContactManager v 1.20 (bulk import tool)
K4USD DMR cBridge  – the Tallahassee NX4DN DMR repeater is connect though this cBridge. Also a list of talkgroups to aid in programming
K4USD cBridge Netwatch Dashboard Control Center K4USD Network – Allows you to watch your RSSI and Loss Rate, good for testing range of the repeater and your portable/mobile radio.


DMR has come to town….

Digital Mobile Radio (DMR/MotoTURBO) has come to Tallahassee. Norm, K4GFD, has added a Motorola SLR5700 to a downtown site on 443.1375. For as little as $130, you can also join the fun by acquiring a Tytera MD-380 portable radio pictured below. Click on the picture for a blown up look:

TYTMD-380-2

The screen is really clear. For some reason, the camera put little lines through it. If you would like to know more about the DMR network, drop me a note (mycallsign@arrl.net).

…DOUG
KD4MOJ

Digital Modes “bug” update

If you are into digital modes, you have no doubt have heard about the Texas Instruments chip issue (which they have acknowledged) that was brought to light by Jon, KD9DAL, that affects amateur radio digital modes using the Signalink or built in USB “soundcard” in various ICOM, Kenwood and Yaesu radios and interfaces. Here is the video that explains what the bug is and how to fix it:

Click Here to go to K3RRR’s site with the updated text (and a 15 point checkup) to go along with the new video. Here is the original findings by Jon, KD9DAL.

I’ll have the files posted shortly that are mentioned in the video (oscilloscope & level meter).

…DOUG
KD4MOJ