Us 2 on DMR
Paul K7VIQ - DMR: 3135605
and Kathy KD7PJW - DMR: 3149355
Us 2 on DMR
We would like to use a hot spot for DMR is to talk ham Brothers around the world. I have made Friends with a DMR group from Germany and elsewhere that I would like to talk to. We can also message these DMR Friends on Skype.
DMR Repeaters
DMR repeaters are usually hooked up to regional or national networks(ie. PNW and Oregon DMR fb groups) and thus limits communications of peer to peer or specific groups of people(called rooms) you may with to talk to. If you un-link a repeater from a network you only get 10 minute talk time to the group of your choice. Thus hotspots that use the internet work great to connect to DMR Talk groups.
Our Introduction to DMR
It is possible with DMR(Digital Mode Radio) to talk to other Ham operators around the world while both being on a mere handheld digital radio. Ideally this would be done via digital repeaters, but in lou of an available repeater a MMDVM(Multi-Mode Digital Voice Modem) works as a hotspot with several ham digital modes and connects through the internet.
Our first hotspot: We built a hot-spot to link us via DMR radio to the internet to link us to a worldwide ham radio DMR network. We based our MMDVR project on a Pi-2 from a previous RC car project we did by adding the MMDVM board to it to make a hotspot but it turned out the china board was defective after MUCH consternation with trying to set it up .
Our Second DVMega hotspot: I bought a ready made kit based on a Pi-0(zero) that works great and was an very hard to set up with the help of a ham in Thessalonica, Greece.
But it did not work for long. They seem very delicate. We are no longer on DMR
8/12/24: I have a third hotspot I am trying to set up so it will be available for the new network. From Amazon a AURSINC MMDVM Hotspot Spot Radio WiFi Digital Voice Modem Work Contained with Raspberry Pi Zero W with Firmware V1.5.2. I have access to PI configuration but so no access on boot when I log into to normal WiFi connection. Not going to worry too much as the new net will no doubt have different settings than the public DMR network. I hope it will set up easier and work longer.
Our Hotspot Construction and Setup
(The first one was the coolest)
I'll update this page by updating with new info as we progress.
Something may be going on, but hard to test further without a Radio.- May 7, 2019 and holding...
May 21, 2019 - Did some more on hot spot. Clear shell mounted. Decided to mount display in front grill as to see from front when displayed on shelf.
We purchased an Anytone 686 DMR radio to use with the hotspot.
Spiros a Friend from Greece has really been working hard to help me get the radio set up to use with the hotspot and get DMR online. Spiros and I determined the MMDVM card was defective.
Kathy and I bought a ready made box based on a Pi 0(zero)
I would like to get another MMDVM board to use with our Pi-2 in its car frame. I then could use the pi-2 in its box for mobile DMR use.
Spiros got us set up om the second MMMVM and it worked for while but stopped.
8/12/24 I started setting up a third ready made MMDVM base on PI-0 2 in hope of working with the new DMR network.
Hotspot board added to RC car project.
Nextion display says IP-Address line says "Logging onto network and "Initializing wait" but have been able to program it fine. Also says Idle. Video clip below
Pictures:
Of a project based on a DOA board. It was so sad this MMDVM was DOA. it was the coolest
May 21, 2019 - Did some more work on hot spot. Clear shell mounted to car body. Decided to mount display in front grill as to see from front when displayed on shelf. Maybe someday will get a radio to use with it, but it was a fun project.
Quick clip of pretty lights on new hotspot. We need to mount display and attach clear car shell.
IP-Address line still says "Logging onto network and still says Initializing wait" but have been able to access it fine, Also says Idle.
Display working. Did not know was supose to remove card and reboot after loading screen files.
Pre-soldering
Assembled but with first error
Future display represented based on G0FEA's. Soon I hope to have a real photo to share rather than a photo-shopped display.
Old Pi-2 project car with new clear shell to use as the foundation of our hotspot
Seller photo: MMDVM board and 70cm antenna for our Pi2 . With some components shown already mounted.
