tweiss3

I have the same option for NXDN. Have to assign a key. Nothing automatic. Not available for P25 or DMR on these either. When I saw this feature in NXDN, I asked a few guys on the commercial side. Most of the time, all traffic goes through a repeater, which takes care of the ID. The rules say, even for itinerant licenses, without repeater infrastructure, have to ID regularly. It is permitted that a mobile or base can do this ID for the entire fleet. I did ask how those running 50 HTs, or running analog, handled this requirement, as I never saw a CW ID feature in any other radio. The response was a shrug. I assume everyone ignores it and doesn't comply. But it does bring up the question, in amateur radio, even if the repeater IDs, your digital signal doesn't ID (except with aliases) without being decoded, so how are we considered compliant by using voice identification over a digital mode? It is the button right next to write. I've used it once, but not sure if there are other hangups. I believe this is pure analog audio out the back. The box between the two is just isolation transformers and a solenoid to turn the connection on and off. The NX-5k comes with a "Mobile Relay Station" built in, that does not require a DB25 cable, but you have to pick the zone/channel in the programming and it can't be changed without a reflash. This is an alternative option, and it works for other radios as well: https://albertaradiosupply.com/collections/kern/products/linking-cable-for-kenwood-tk7180-nx700-nx5000-radios-crossband-operation I don't want to tally it up, and you don't want to know. Just the entitlements the way I wanted it is more than my GMRS repeater. But for a radio system that should last near forever, and the level of interoperability I have in a small simple package, its probably worth it in the end.

You can use the clone button, instead of write to send the codeplug to the other radios. On an interesting note, my Alberta Radio Supply linking cable came in. Now I can do crossband repeat from any channel to any channel in the radio with the push of a button on the front panel. It even works UHF P25 to VHF NXDN, and sounds identical to analog to analog. Nice and simple setup, just connect it to the DB25 on the back of each radio, and set the pin programming.

Stainless steel zip ties or coax hangers.

Kenwood's D1N allows you to copy from the zone and paste into excel, and back into the software. Also, apparently Mototrbo CPS 2.0 just added export/import features.

@LscottI have not played with data over digital. I have sent messages, but that's simple. I was toying with the idea getting a RSM cable and building a TNC interface. You may have just pushed me to move that way quicker. My winlink node uses SoundModem by UZ7HO. I also have used Drats before, but I didn't get very far. I will have to look into that again. I need to go send an email now.

The way I see it, DMR in amateur radio isn't going away, and it isn't going to be unified, so I do what I can to make the best of it. When I travel south, I use the NCPRN system, which is not internet linked, has a fixed set of talkgroups, and works wonderfully (all the backbone is Motorola only). For repeaters around here, I did spend a day looking up each in the state and seeing which talkgroups are on it. I only put the Local, the few Ohio Statewide and Echo in my radios. I do keep North America and WorldWide for the few local repeaters. I typically don't like dealing with those insane groups, but I have used it at 2:30 am when I had to make an emergency run to the pharmacy, and it helped keep me awake and alert. We do have one Megalink that is used locally that cross links YSF, DMR and D-Star. I talk on that some too, but usually only DMR into it, though I have used YSF and D-Star to connect.

There is a point in the software it is stuck with narrowband. There was another piece of software called Wideband Recovery Tool that you can use to "reset" the repeater, but you then have to roll back to an older version of the software that allows wideband.

Yes, I have. There are a handful of repeaters that do Analog/P25 or Analog/NXDN. For these radios, I put 2 versions in the radio, both are dual mode RX, but the first is strapped Digital transmit, the second is strapped analog transmit (then only 1 is included in the zone scan).

Ok, got it. Yes, in the amateur market, Kenwood went with Icom for D-Star, Yaesu made their own YSF, and some of the CCRs tried to copy DMR. I'm still not convinced they meet the DMR standard, or use the correct AMBE+2 codec. On the commercial side, in terms of use on amateur radio, P25 is compatible with P25 across the board, NXDN is compatible with NXDN across the board as is DMR.

This statement is confusing and possibly incorrect. For ham use, all the manufacturers that offer DMR conventional (not trunking) are compatible with each other. Ham takes many things out of the picture that are not necessarily compatible (encryption, RAS, etc.). But for conventional DMR in the clear, Motorola, Hytera, Kenwood, etc. are all directly compatible. As for the CCRs, I would say they are the ones that are truly incompatible. The don't offer some of the beneficial features DMR offers. I have even asked many of them if they could/would implement conventional roaming (offered by any public safety manufacturer) and was told it's not a thing, and no, they won't even look into it. Is there something I am missing in your statement above?

I use Kenwood TK-8150 for mobiles in the car and in the shack. Great radio, and sounds wonderful. As a plus, I have the remote head kits.

I thought about this thread last night. I'm guessing (only a guess), that he isn't missing anything. I think what he is seeing on the radio is the CW ID broadcasting with no tone, and therefore he won't hear it with the receive tone programmed. This is how my repeater is programmed. He isn't missing someone coming back to him, or other chatter. The reason I think this, he hears the tone squelch when he contacts the repeater.

The CW ID to identify the repeater? Yes, mine has it, it is built in, and set to 15 minute interval, but I doesn't broadcast if there is no traffic.

Usually the roger beep is overdeviated and can nearly blow your eardrum out if you are using a bluetooth earpiece. I've had that a few times where I ripped that thing off my ear cause it hurt. MDC & FleetSync tones are much more subdued, as are courtesy tones, usually at 80% deviation or less, and much easier on the ears.

They have only been available for about a month. I also haven't seen a good review of the microphone that wasn't directly by the reseller. I'm interested to see how well it works, and the battery life observed. It's been advertised as "coming soon" for over 2 years. I have my doubts that is because it was perfected. I agree with you, HHCH should be an option for more radios. I thought about it for a while, but finding one is harder than deciding to spend the money on one, which is hard enough considering how expensive they are.

It depends on a lot of things. A mobile duplexer, or the little duplexer that comes in the RT97, yes, you will need the isolation. The notch is pretty big and may not be specific enough to provide isolation between repeaters. On sites that have multiple same band repeaters, some have combiners, some have duplexers & combiners to get enough isolation.

Correct, isolation can be provided by vertical separation. At 462MHz, you need a minimum of 25' horizontal space between top of lower antenna and bottom of higher antenna. Add in they must be direct one over the other, its a bit harder to do while thinking about tossing this up on a rain silo.

I'll send you a PM.

I've got a XTS2500 for 900 P25. I'd like to eventually get up a 900 repeater, probably a quantar setup for both analog & P25, but that is a whole different battle.

This is VHF, recorded direct to SD card. P25: P25.WAV NXDN: NXDN.WAV I need to find a way to record DMR on one of these radios, I only have 1 that has the SD card recording entitlement.

1) I will rate them in according to my preference on audio quality: NXDN - P25 - YSF - DStar - DMR. This does not indicate my preference for the mode overall, just how it sounds. Let me explain a bit more. Lets be honest, turning the volume up too high always makes received audio sound badly. This is often exacerbated by a quiet room/office and some auto reflecting off walls, ceilings, desks. Take that out of the equation, walking around the house, a shop, outside, or even in the car on the go, the above is how I think they sound. And it is not using a hotspot, though PiStar supports all 5, but using them either simplex, or via repeaters on local use (of local talkgroup). NXDN and P25 are very much almost the same great sound, I just can't get over the bandwidth use of NXDN very narrow, which also pulls it's lead ahead. Keep in mind, this is based on use in amateur radio, which also has other factors. Don't get me wrong the $15 radio has it's place, and it has helped a more wide spread support of DMR, but it has also ruined DMR at the same time. That being said, if I were to get business licenses, DMR would be one of the emissions types I would have on the application. It has it's place, but the cheap stuff people use is just not setup correctly, and ruins the experience. 2) I use these on amateur radio, and their use is nearly identically as DMR, but with some minor differences, and maybe 1 or 2 major. Forgive me if this is too broken down, but I'll explain. As you know DMR uses a color code (CC) as it's squelch (like CTCSS), has 2 timeslots, and you must pick a talkgroup. All 3 must be programmed for DMR to work. It's not that difficult, but yes, you can get lost pretty easily if you don't understand how and why. NXDN & P25 (conventional, we can only realistically use conventional in amateur radio) do not have timeslots, there is 1 voice path. If you are using a repeater that is based on PiStar, similar, or even a hotspot, both require talkgroups to be chosen. Same as DMR, chunk a TG and it gets linked, chunk the disconnect TG, it clears. The really cool thing about these two modes, the repeaters (if a true digital commercial repeater) can do mixed mode, meaning it can use both Analog/P25 or Analog/NXDN, and change on the fly based on signal received. There is a repeater northeast of me that I get in range every once in a while. In P25 mode, using my 5w HT, while driving, I cut a conversation short at 16.8 miles because I wasn't sure when my range dropped out, but the gentlemen I was talking to said I was clear the entire time. The other positive is when programming the radio, you can put in a NAC (P25) of F7E or RAN (NXDN) of None and it acts as carrier squelch, so you can listen to all digital traffic on that frequency and not need to track down or log a NAC/RAN. NAC/RAN is still needed on transmit if set on the repeater, but for listening to other stuff, digital CSQ is wonderful. The license is not much for DMR. If you really want to know, PM me, and I can point you in the direction I got my entitlements and approximate costs. P25 is the one that hurts. And FPP isn't exactly cheap, but worth it on VHF (and UHF if you need to change digital stuff around). But yes, once you add an entitlement to a radio, it is permanent to that radio serial after 72 hours. No need to re-enable it. You would switch by loading a new codeplug. If I remember correctly, the NX1200/1300 requires KPG-D3N, which is interesting.

I have D-Star, YSF, NXDN, P25 and DMR, each is covered in both VHF/UHF with HTs and Mobiles. Current daily carry is NX5200 with P25 & NXDN and NX5300 with P25 & DMR. I have a dual deck NX5700/5800 ready to go in with identical programming as the HTs.

How do you plan on carrying this "field kit"? If it's in a trailer and you have room to mount large coils on the wall or in a drawer? The reason I ask, my HF kit for the field has 20' of RG-8x, which is pretty bulky if you are going to carry it. For UHF, beyond having the radio connected directly at the push up mast, you will need at a minimum LMR400, and probably hardline, like the 1/2" LDF mentioned above. Going to 1/2" hardline reduces your loss at 100 feet from 2.7 to 1.5, which is huge.

Motorola's R56 is often referred to the tower bible on how to set things up to reduce failure and meet/exceed the NEC. It will be way more than 99.9% of users will meet, but it's a great goal to move toward.

Correct, being that the exact allowed frequencies/bandwidths and power levels are directly outlined, it's must simpler than amateur radio. The point of the Part 95 rules for type acceptance is so that the average joe can buy the license and purchase an off the shelf radio and be within the rules. While the concepts are identical between ham 70cm and GMRS, there is more responsibility on the operator in amateur radio. This includes coordination of repeaters/operating frequencies as well as RF exposure evaluations. The idea of GMRS is that frequencies are not overlapping/spaced too closely, and the FCC has already done the RF exposure evaluation in a general sense. Not saying there won't be someone trying to use a 45w mobile with antenna attached directly to the radio placed 4' from the user, but they did a good job simplifying it.