This information is intended purely for educational purposes. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and your equipment are behaving themselves properly.
You must have the following tools installed:
- (REQUIRED) Python 3.10.x or newer; for using the
multi_outputter.pyscript for processing the input data files - (REQUIRED) gojq; for working with JSON and YAML payloads
- (OPTIONAL) yq; for working with JSON and YAML payloads
- (REQUIRED) dmrRadio binary 1.0.23 or newer; for exporting/importing codeplugs to/from JSON and generating blank codeplugs
- (SUGGESTED) editcp 1.0.23 or newer; for further editing codeplugs
- (SUGGESTED) LibreOffice; for creating PDF handouts to accompany the programmed data
# Initial setup
make && source .venv/bin/activate
# Create and upload new codeplugs
./scripts/generate_rdt.sh # create generic codeplugs for anybody
./scripts/personalize_rdt.sh # create specific codeplugs for my radios
dmrRadio writeCodeplug tmp/foo.rdt # upload a single codeplug
# Fetch and upload new contacts
./scripts/fetch_db.sh # download a bunch of fresh contacts
dmrRadio writeMD2017Users tmp/filtered.csv # if radio is Retevis RT90
dmrRadio writeUV380Users tmp/filtered.csv # if radio is Retevis RT3S
# Produce data in a format useful for analog radios
./scripts/generate_csv.sh # create programming data for analog radios
Arch-based distros (Arch Linux, EndeavourOS, etc.), on x86 and ARM:
sudo pacman --no-confirm --sync gcc git go libusb pkgconf
git clone https://github.com/dalefarnsworth-dmr/dmrRadio && cd dmrRadio
go build
Debian-based distros (Debian, Ubuntu, Raspberry Pi OS, etc.), on x86 and ARM:
# Don't use the go provided by the OS as it is super old
# Fetch an appropriate tarball from https://go.dev/dl
# Install the contents of the tarball somewhere convenient
sudo tar -C /usr/local -xvfz "${GO_TARBALL}"
export "PATH=/usr/local/go/bin;${PATH}"
sudo apt-get --yes install git libusb-1.0-0-dev
git clone https://github.com/dalefarnsworth-dmr/dmrRadio && cd dmrRadio
go build
macOS, on x86 and ARM:
brew install git go libusb
git clone https://github.com/dalefarnsworth-dmr/dmrRadio && cd dmrRadio
go build
Windows users should probably just go fetch the pre-built (x86) binaries directly from https://farnsworth.org/dale/codeplug/dmrRadio/downloads/windows and https://farnsworth.org/dale/codeplug/editcp/downloads/windows.
# Export the binary codeplug as JSON and fix some values
dmrRadio codeplugToJSON codeplug.rdt before.json
gojq --from-file Retevis_RT3S.jq before.json > after.json
# ========
# WARNING: Don't put spaces in the intro screen lines
# ========
# Create a data file containing your specific values
cat << EOF > VA3DGN.json
{
"GeneralSettings": {
"IntroScreenLine1": "VA3DGN",
"IntroScreenLine2": "3023396",
"RadioID": "3023396",
"RadioID1": "3021794",
"RadioID2": "3023706",
"RadioID3": "3021795",
"RadioName": "VA3DGN"
}
}
EOF
# Create a brand new, empty codeplug
dmrRadio newCodeplug -model RT3S -freq '400-480_136-174' new.rdt
# Make it even emptier still
dmrRadio codeplugToJSON new.rdt new.json
cat new.json \
| gojq 'del(.Contacts[])' \
| gojq 'del(.Channels[])' \
| gojq 'del(.GroupLists[])' \
| gojq 'del(.ScanLists[])' \
| gojq 'del(.Zones[])' > empty.json
Retevis RT90 DFU mode uses orange emergency button + P1 + plug-in 'hard' power (ignore 'soft' power button).
Retevis RT3S DFU mode uses top side key + PTT + twist power knob.
- https://retevissolutions.com/rt90-dmr-radio
- https://retevissolutions.com/rt3s-dmr-radio#A9110F
- https://miklor.com/COM/Review_MD9600.php
- https://miklor.com/COM/Review_UV380.php
- https://amateurradio.com/mobile-dc-power-one-fuse-or-two
- http://emrg.ca/EMRG-412_12VDC_for_the_Radio_Amateur.pdf
- https://forum.digirig.net/t/tyt-md-380uv-cable-and-support/2708/7 cable info for RT90 and RT3S
- https://github.com/M17-Project/LinHT-hw possible replacement mainboard for Retevis C62 handheld (dual-band, non-waterproof)
- https://m17project.org/2025/07/26/an-update-on-linht-openht-v2-development-process
- https://retevis.com/products/retevis-c62-5-w-long-range-uv-dual-band-ai-noise-reducation-business-radio-us
- https://trull.org/alex/pubmirror/robrobinette.com/Ham_VHF-UHF_Digital_Modes.htm
- https://wiki.brandmeister.network/index.php/TalkGroup/98638 WVNET = DMR 98638
- https://rfhackers.com WVNET = DMR 98638
- http://farc.ysfreflector.ca FRG = YSF 43567
- https://ailunce.com/blog/Set-up-MMDVM-DMR-Hotspot-to-work-with-Ailunce-HD1
- https://ailunce.com/blog/How-to-set-Rx-Tx-Offset
- https://github.com/VR2VYE/MMDVM_HS_firmware
- g4klx/MMDVMHost#90
- https://amateurradionotes.com/pi-star.htm
- https://riku.titanix.net/wordpress/dmr/mmdvm-ber-error-rate-tuning
- https://f5uii.net/en/installation-calibration-adjustment-tunning-mmdvm-mmdvmhost-raspberry-motorola-gm360/5
- https://dl6fz.info/digital-modes-vhf-uhf/m17-analog-hotspot-gateway
- https://lyonscomputer.com.au/Digital-Modes/M17/M17-Analog-Hotpot-Gateway/M17-Analog-Hotpot-Gateway.html
- https://github.com/n7tae/ham-dht-tools make-m17-host-file CLI tool, among others
- https://m17project.org/2025/07/27/web-interface-for-the-cc1200-hotspot
- https://github.com/jancona/m17 M17Gateway in Go
- https://bradmc.com/articles/life-with-dmr-talker-alias
- https://mrickey.com/2018/02/07/talker-alias-on-brandmeister
- https://wiki.brandmeister.network/index.php/Talker_Alias
Admit Criteria determines when your radio is allowed to transmit. The
recommended setting for repeater channels is Color Code Free; this configures
your radio to be polite to your own digital system. You should configure your
In Call Criteria to Follow Admit Criteria. Simplex channels should be
configured as Always for both Admit Criteria and Always or Follow TX for In
Call Criteria.
- https://docdroid.com/hlxgIXh/hrivol30125-pdf#page=18 article explaining DMR DCDM and DMO SFR modes
- https://www.zeroretries.org loads of articles relating to TDD SFR (mandatory 'www' here)
- https://cwh050.mywikis.wiki/wiki/Dual_Capacity_Direct_Mode
- https://forum.pistar.uk/viewtopic.php?t=4718
- https://k5rwk.org/2025/03/23/how-to-program-your-dmr-radio-for-the-balloon-single-frequency-repeater
- https://techwholesale.com/what-is-dual-capacity-direct-mode
- https://mojaverepeater.com/blog/portable-dmr-single-frequency-repeater
- https://w0chp.radio/wpsd
- https://n5amd.com/digital-radio-how-tos/build-digital-voice-transcoding-server
- https://g0wcz.nodestone.io/building-a-transcoder-for-dmr-d-star
- https://ad6dm.net/log/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/How-to-Create-a-Multimode-Digital-Voice-Reflector.pdf
- https://sin.groups.io/g/main/message/355
- https://blog.rosenberg-watt.com/2018/08/14/towards-better-global-dmr-ham-radio-id-generation
- https://tgifnetwork.createaforum.com/hotspot-configurartion/adding-second-hotspot-do-i-need-a-second-dmr-id
- https://dxcanada.ca/dvstick33-by-dvmega-3-channel-transcoding-for-xlx-systems
- https://dvmega.nl/dvstick30
- https://github.com/formatc1702/WireViz
- https://maxonamerica.com/product-category/mobile-radios MDM-4000 series (supports SFR too), TM-8000 series, etc.
- https://masterscommunications.com/products/radio-adapter/ra-features.html differences between the boards
- https://masterscommunications.com/products/radio-adapter/ra42.html amplified Tx audio
- https://masterscommunications.com/products/radio-adapter/ra33.html not amplified Tx audio
- https://masterscommunications.com/products/mux/mux25.html
- https://repeater-builder.com/products/stm32-dvm.html
- https://repeater-builder.com/products/usb-rim.html
- https://repeater-builder.com/products/usb-rim-lite.html
- https://repeater-builder.com/voip/pdf/allstar-newbie-guide.pdf
- https://repeater-builder.com/projects/fob/startech-syba-fob.html WB2EDV pinouts (STM32-DVM, RA-33, RA-42, etc.)
- https://arkcorporation.us/blogs/news/48712645-cool-diy-battery-box-on-reddit
- https://amazon.ca/Pyramid-PSV300-Heavy-duty-Switching-Supply/dp/B000NPT4TK
- https://amazon.com/Universal-Regulated-Benchtop-Converter-Terminals/dp/B09Y1H6C25
- https://themodernham.com/host-a-ysf-dmr-dstar-c4fm-multi-mode-reflector-on-ubuntu-22-04-or-debian-12-with-xlx
- https://ad6dm.net/log/2019/02/how-to-create-a-multi-mode-xreflector
- https://github.com/USA-RedDragon/DMRHub self-hosted DMR master server?
- https://n3emc.com/hblink-dmr-server-how-to-set-it-up-for-a-private-dmr-server
- https://github.com/juribeparada/MMDVM_CM
- https://qsl.net/w2ymm/cdm_rim_maxtrac_rm.html programming notes for CDM, Maxtrac radios
- https://dvmproject.io
- https://dvmproject.readthedocs.io
- https://github.com/DVMProject
- https://store.w3axl.com/products/dvm-v1-duplex-modem
- https://store.w3axl.com/products/dvm-v24-v2-usb-converter-for-v-24-equipment
- https://wp.hamoperator.com/fusion/yaesu-repeater-lockup DR-2X fixes?
- https://arcomcontrollers.com/index.php/adr-interface DR-2X fixes?
- https://arcomcontrollers.com/documents/rc210/dr2x_adr_interface.pdf DR-2X fixes?
- http://scomcontrollers.com/downloads/SCOM7330_Interface_DR2X.pdf DR-2X fixes? (mandatory 'http' here)
- https://github.com/phastmike/IDx_hardware DR-2X fixes?
- https://github.com/phastmike/IDx DR-2X fixes?
# CDM 750
TxInvert=1
RXInvert=0
Control Software
Controller Software: MMDVM Host
Controller Mode: Duplex Repeater
MMDVMHost Configuration
DMR Mode: On (RF Hangtime: 2, Net Hangtime: 20)
All other modes disabled
MMDVM Display Type: None
General Configuration
Hostname: ve2cra
Node Callsign: VE2CRA
CCS7/DMR ID: 302093
Radio Frequency RX: 449.400000
Radio Frequncy TX: 444.400000
Latitude: 45.50
Longitude: -75.85
Town: Ottawa-Gatineau FN25bm
Country: Canada
URL: https://oarc.net (Manual)
Radio/Modem Type: STM32-DVM (USB)
Node Type: Public
DMR Access List: blank
APRS Host Enable: Off
APRS Host: noam.aprs2.net
System Time Zone: UTC
Dashboard Language: english_us
DMR Configuration
DMR Master: DMRGateway
BrandMeister Master: BM_3021_Canada
BM Hotspot Security: blank
BrandMeister Network ESSID: None
BrandMeister Network Enable: On
DMR+ Master: DMR+_IPSC2-Canada
DMR+ Network: blank
DMR+ Network ESSID: None
DMR+ Network Enable: Off
XLX Master: 197
XLX Startup Module: B
XLX Master Enable: On
DMR Color Code: 1
DMR EmbeddedLCOnly: Off
DMR DumpTAData: Off
Mobile GPS Configuration
MobileGPS Enable: Off
GPS Port: /dev/tty/ACM0
GPS Port Speed: 38400
Firewall Configuration
Dashboard Access: Private
ircDDBGateway Remote: Private
SSH Access: Private
Auto AP: On
uPNP: On
- https://farnsworth.org/dale/codeplug/editcp main page for Editcp
- https://github.com/dalefarnsworth-dmr source code for editcp, dmrRadio, libraries, etc.
- https://dm3mat.darc.de/qdmr main page for qdmr
- https://github.com/hmatuschek/qdmr source code for qdmr
- https://github.com/g4eml/OpenMD9600_Remote_Head
- https://m17project.org main page for M17 Project
- https://openrtx.org/# main page for OpenRTX
- https://github.com/OpenRTX OpenRTX firmware, dmrconfig tool, etc.
- https://github.com/open-ham/OpenGD77 clone of closed-source (ironic) OpenGD77 project
- https://github.com/LibreDMR/OpenGD77_UserGuide/blob/master/OpenGD77_User_Guide.md user guide for OpenGD77
- https://twitter.com/m17_project/status/1535977213111242753 FM and M17 living together like cats and dogs
- http://md380.org main page for MD-380 Tools
- https://github.com/travisgoodspeed/md380tools source code for MD-380 Tools
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/tylert/pocorgtfo/gh-pages/pocorgtfo10.pdf reverse-engineering info
- https://pistar.uk/index.php main page for Pi-Star
- https://github.com/M17-Project/Module_17 M17 smart mic
- https://www.randomwire.us/p/random-wire-review-issue-130 lots of good M17 discussions (mandatory 'www' here)
Send a SMS message to the APRS destination (310999 in North America) with the following body...
SMSGTE @<phone number> <message content>
After a few moments you will receive an ACK message and the recipient will get a text message.
To have someone reply to you, send a text message to the number that sent you the text with the body...
@<callsign> <message content>
After a few moments you should receive a message on your radio!
General format
--------------
BBBB12345
BBBB = bandwidth (letters "H", "K", "M", "G" take the place of the decimal)
1 = type of modulation used for the main carrier, not including sub-carriers
2 = type of modulating signal of the main carrier
3 = type of information transmitted
4 = (OPTIONAL) practical details of the transmitted information
5 = (OPTIONAL) method of multiplexing
Decoded meanings
----------------
4K00..... 4.0 kHz bandwidth
6K00..... 6.0 kHz bandwidth
7K34..... 7.34 kHz bandwidth
7K60..... 7.6 kHz bandwidth
8K00..... 8.0 kHz bandwidth
8K10..... 8.1 kHz bandwidth
8K30..... 8.3 kHz bandwidth
8K40..... 8.4 kHz bandwidth
9K00..... 9.0 kHz bandwidth
9K36..... 9.36 kHz bandwidth
10K1..... 10.1 kHz bandwidth
11K2..... 11.2 kHz bandwidth
11K3..... 11.3 kHz bandwidth
12K5..... 12.5 kHz bandwidth
13K6..... 13.6 kHz bandwidth
14K0..... 14.0 kHz bandwidth
16K0..... 16.0 kHz bandwidth
20K0..... 20.0 kHz bandwidth
..H...... some number of Hz bandwidth
.H....... some number of Hz bandwidth
..K...... some number of kHz bandwidth
.K....... some number of kHz bandwidth
..M...... some number of MHz bandwidth
.M....... some number of MHz bandwidth
..G...... some number of GHz bandwidth
.G....... some number of GHz bandwidth
....A.... Double-sideband amplitude modulation (e.g. AM broadcast radio)
....D.... Combination of AM and FM or PM
....F.... Frequency modulation (e.g. FM broadcast radio)
....G.... Phase modulation
....H.... Single-sideband modulation with full carrier (e.g. as used by CHU)
....J.... Single-sideband with suppressed carrier (e.g. Shortwave utility and amateur stations)
....W.... Combination of any of the above (for "Type of modulation")
....X.... None of the above (for "Type of modulation")
.....1... One channel containing digital information, no subcarrier
.....2... One channel containing digital information, using a subcarrier
.....3... One channel containing analog information
.....7... More than one channel containing digital information
.....X... None of the above (for "Type of modulating signal")
......A.. Aural telegraphy, intended to be decoded by ear, such as Morse code
......D.. Data transmission, telemetry or telecommand (remote control)
......E.. Telephony (voice or music intended to be listened to by a human)
......W.. Combination of any of the above (for "Type of transmitted information")
......X.. None of the above (for "Type of transmitted information")
.......D. Four-condition code, one condition per signal element
.......J. Commercial-quality sound (non-broadcast)
.......X. None of the above (for "Details of information")
........N None used / Not multiplexed
........T Time-division
........X None of the above (for "Multiplexing")
Actual examples
---------------
6K00A3E AM voice
8K00F3E FM voice +-2.5 ppm stability; fits in 12.5 kHz
10K1F3E FM voice +-2.5 kHz deviation; fits in 12.5 kHz
11K2F3E FM voice +-2.5 kHz deviation; fits in 12.5 kHz
13K6F3E FM voice +-3.8 kHz deviation; fits in 20 kHz
16K0F3A FM CW ID +-4.0 kHz deviation; fits in 20 kHz
16K0F3E FM voice +-4.0 kHz deviation; fits in 20 kHz
20K0F3D FM voice +-5.0 kHz deviation; fits in 25 kHz
11K3F1D POCSAG
20K0F1D POCSAG
7K34FXDJN DMR Tier2
7K60FXD DMR Tier2
7K60FXDJN DMR Tier2
7K60FXE DMR Tier2
7K60FXW DMR Tier2
7K60F7W DMR Tier3
7K60F7WDT DMR Tier3
6K00F7W DSTAR
6K00F2A DSTAR CW ID
9K00F.. M17 4FSK; 9600 bps; fits in 12.5 kHz
4K00F1D NXDN
4K00F1E NXDN
4K00F1W NXDN
4K00F2D NXDN
4K00F7W NXDN
8K30F1D NXDN
8K30F1E NXDN
8K30F7W NXDN
8K00F1D P25 Phase1 C4FM
8K10F1D P25 Phase1 C4FM
8K10F1E P25 Phase1 C4FM
8K30F1W P25 Phase1 C4FM
8K40F1D P25 Phase1 C4FM
8K40F1E P25 Phase1 C4FM
9K80F1D P25 Phase2 TDMA
9K80F1E P25 Phase2 TDMA
9K36F1E YSF C4FM
9K36F7W YSF C4FM
11K2F7W YSF C4FM
12K5F7W YSF C4FM
16K0F1D YSF C4FM
16K0F2D YSF C4FM
20K0F7W YSF C4FM
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_radio_emissions
- https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Emission_Designator
- https://hfunderground.com/wiki/index.php/Emission_Designator
- https://spec.m17project.org/files/M17_spec.pdf
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/APRS
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/PACKET AX.25/APRS
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/POCSAG
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/Amplitude_Modulation\_(AM)
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/NFM_Voice
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/Digital_Mobile_Radio\_(DMR)
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/D-STAR
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/LoRa
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/M17_RF_Protocol
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/Next_Generation_Digital_Narrowband\_(NXDN)
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/NXDN
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/Project_25\_(P25)
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/P25
- https://sigidwiki.com/wiki/Yaesu_System_Fusion
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Packet_Reporting_System
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AX.25
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_mobile_radio
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-STAR
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LoRa
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M17\_(amateur_radio)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NXDN
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_25
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaesu\_(brand)
- https://dmrfordummies.com/library what is DMR?
- https://dmrtechnet.net/monday-night-march-31st-the-dmr-tech-net-team-will-go-over-and-discuss-codeplug-best-practices-for-organizing-your-channels-zones-talkgroups
- https://jeffreykopcak.com/2017/05/10/dmr-in-amateur-radio-terminology
- https://youtu.be/VExx628R0DM
- https://youtu.be/Lw0Y-jQZMZ0
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PACE_(communication_methodology) layered communications strategy?
- https://plus.codes/map
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Location_Code
- https://github.com/google/open-location-code
- https://github.com/google/open-location-code/wiki/Evaluation-of-Location-Encoding-Systems
- https://kschaul.com/post/2023/02/16/how-the-post-is-replacing-mapbox-with-open-source-solutions