RADIO ID
Each radio used on the DMR network is programmed with a unique user ID number.
You MUST register your radio for it to work correctly.
ID numbers are managed centrally, and may be obtained here.
The user ID database may also be found at the same link.
TRANSMIT AUDIO LEVELS
Some equipment tends to have over driven audio on tx, and some have low modulation – it is very important that you check your transmitted audio for the correct level.
Motorola equipment with the latest firmware can be run with audio AGC on.
GPS POSITION
DMR equipment is often fitted with an inbuilt GPS receiver, with the facility to transmit GPS position over the network.
This function is not supported by the DMR network, and must be OFF.
LEAVE A BREAK
The VKDMR network has many repeaters and links. Please leave a break of at least 4 seconds between overs, no matter which talk group you are on and whether on a repeater or hotspot. This will allow other users enough time to disconnect from the talk group or break in to your QSO.
COLOUR CODES, SLOTS AND TALK GROUPS
The DMR system uses 15 “colour codes” which function in a very similar fashion to CTCSS tones on analogue repeaters. A radio programmed with one colour code will not be able to transmit on a repeater programed with another.
All Australian DMR amateur repeaters use colour code 1.
As discussed previously, each DMR repeater has two slots, and each slot has a number of talk groups.
Australian DMR repeaters use the following slots and talk groups – these need to be programmed into your radio.
TGs in blue are user activated.
Note – new slot 1 TGs have been added as at 03 June 2019.
| Slot 1 | Slot 2 |
| TG1 – worldwide | TG505 – all VK repeaters and hotspots |
| TG13 – worldwide English | TG3801-8 – state based TG (trailing number=call area) |
| TG113/123 – User activated chat channels | TG9 reflectors |
| TG3809 and 3810 – VK repeaters – user activated | |
| TG8 – keys repeaters in defined groups – i.e. all Sydney, FNQ, all Melb, etc. | |
| TG9 – keys your local repeater only | |
| TG30 – JOTA | |
| TG5 – VK wide | |
| TG3 – US wide | |
| TG310 – US “TAC 310” | |
| TG133 – US wide | |
| TG143 – “CQ UK WIRES X” | |
| TG153 – South Pacific |
The TGs are explained in detail below.
TIME SLOT 1
(see note below)
Time Slot 1 – TG1* = world wide calling – keys EVERY DMR repeater on the worldwide MARC/DMR+ network
Time Slot 1 – TG13* = worldwide English calling channel
Time Slot 1 – TG3809 and 3810 = user activated chat channels for VK repeaters* 3809 has a 30 sec hang time – normally used for nets. 3810 is intended for WICEN, but may be used for normal ops when WICEN is not using it.
Time Slot 1 – TG113/123 = international user activated chat channels*. Be aware that these channels are used internationally….
Time Slot 1 – TG8 = Keys repeaters in defined groups – i.e. all Sydney, all Melbourne, etc. See below.
Time Slot 1 – TG9 = Keys your local repeater only
Time Slot 1 – TG30* = Used for JOTA. May be used for general comms at other times.
Time slot 1 – TG5 = VK wide (nets, etc.)
Time slot 1 – TG3* = US wide
Time slot 1 – TG310* = US “TAC 310” – technical TG
Time slot 1 = TG133* = US wide
Time slot 1 = TG143* = UK wide – cross linked to WIRES X
Time slot 1 = TG153* = Sth Pacific – also keys many ZL repeaters
*User activated TGs are activated by pressing your PTT for about 2 seconds with the TG selected. Only repeaters used in the QSO are connected.
TG8 keys repeaters in defined groups. This TG is programmed for each repeater and can not be changed by users.
The TG8 groups are as follows:
| TG8 Group | Repeaters linked |
| 1 – VK7 | Launceston and Hobart |
| 2 – Sydney, W and N NSW | All Sydney, Orange and Grafton |
| 3 – Southern VK2 and VK1 | Highrange, Goulburn, Yass and Canberra |
| 5 – VK3 | VK3 |
| 6 – SE Queensland | SE Qld |
| 8 – Adelaide | Adelaide |
| 9 – Perth | Perth |
TIME SLOT 2
Time Slot 2 – TG505 = All VK repeaters.
505 keys every VK repeater and connected hotspot.
505 is fine for short QSOs. As per normal repeater practice, please leave a break between overs for other stations.
If you want to have a longer QSO, please QSY off 505 to leave the channel free for others.
It is also suggested that you QSY to a slot 1 TG if possible, as this leaves slot 2 free for other stations to call on 505
If 505 is busy:
- TG9 on slot 1 can be used to work another station on your local repeater only.
- TG380x on slot 2 can be used to work a station in your own state/territory or a station in another state/territory (see below).
- TG8 on slot 1 is available for repeaters in a group.
- TG3809 on slot 1 can be used to connect individual repeaters together.
Time Slot 2 – TG3801-8 = State/Territory based TG, where the trailing digit is the VK call area – keys all repeaters in that State/Territory only. Can also be used from another state – use the TG for the state you wish to connect to – i.e. 3802 for VK2, etc. However, 380x does hold up slot 2 for all repeaters in a state – this prevents other stations in your state from calling on 505. The inter-state link disconnects automatically if there is no activity for 15 seconds.
Time Slot 2 – TG9 = Reflectors. This provides access to the DMR+ network of reflectors. A list of reflectors may be found here.
To access reflectors, your radio needs to be programmed with different TGs for tx and rx to access the reflector and TG9 for tx/rx to use the relfector.
TG5000 checks your local repeater status.
You then use the reflector number you wish to connect to as the tx TG – i.e. TG4400 for ref 4400.
Once you have connected, use TG9 for tx and rx to QSO via the reflector.
TG4000 is used to disconnect your repeater from the reflector, or you can just let the reflector time out – they will drop in 15 mins if not used.
There are two ways to program your radio to access reflectors:
1. program separate channels; or
2. use your radio’s keyboard.
To use method 1 – program the following channels on slot 2:
Channel 1 – TG5000 tx, TG 9 rx to check status
Channel 2 – TG4xxx tx (required reflector number), TG9 rx
Channel 3 – TG9 tx and rx for working the reflector
Channel 4 – TG4000 tx, TG9 rx to disconnect
Method 2 – using the keypad – is a lot simpler – you only need to program one channel:
Channel 1 – TG9 tx and rx.
Use your keypad to enter 5000, the reflector number and 4000 as required.