Getting Started on DMR (DMR Part 1)

To get started on DMR, you will need:

1. An amateur radio licence

I'm assuming you already have this, but if not then you need to go here first: Getting started - Radio Society of Great Britain - Main Site : Radio Society of Great Britain – Main Site (rsgb.org)

2. A DMR transceiver

There are many of these available, and there are plenty of reviews on YouTube: (7) dmr radio comparison - YouTube

Chinese rigs are a good place to start, as they are less expensive than Japanese or American. I went with the Retevis RT3S (non-GPS version): RETEVIS RT3S Dual Band DMR Radio GPS UHF&VHF Dual display Dual standby FPP

Options for buying include:

Note that Aliexpress now charges VAT at source, so there should be no additional duty to pay.

Make sure that your purchase includes a programming cable. You're going to need it!

3. A DMR ID

Every station (including repeaters) has a unique 7-digit identifier on the DMR network. UK IDs start with 234 or 235.

To register for a DMR ID, go here: https://www.radioid.net/

You will need to provide proof of your licence. A suitable PDF document can be downloaded from OFCOM, following registration at their site: Ofcom Amateur and Ships Radio Licensing Portal - Ofcom

4. (Ideally) Access to a DMR Repeater

A list of DMR repeaters is available here: Repeater List DMR (ukrepeater.net)

Notice that there are several networks in operation, including Phoenix UK, Brandmeister, FreeDMR, etc. Where I am in the southeast of England, most repeaters are connected to the Phoenix UK network.

If you don't have access to a repeater, all is not lost as it is possible to build your own hotspot, which is in effect a personal repeater.


In the next article we will look at building a codeplug, which is the essential programming needed to get on the air. 

Next: Part 2 - Building a basic codeplug for DMR

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