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‘USA 1776′ DMR Talk Group
30 March 2015 | by 
One of the nice things of D-Star and DMR is the ability to talk all over the world without the need of an HF rig and a bunch of big antennas. While this largely reduces a radio to a simple Internet-driven communication tool – just like Skype or other VoIP apps – it’s definitely nice to use.
There are a few problems surrounding DMR, one of which is the lack of more than two time slots. For example, if hams are using the Dutch Hytera network and occupying talk group 204 on slot 1, World Wide (which uses the same time slot) will be unavailable. Because 204-1 is a busy place, world wide QSOs are often impossible. It’s one of the reasons I thought of dumping DMR all together — I can talk to the same Dutch guys on analog while enjoying a much better quality audio.
There are reasons to keep DMR too. DMR is maturing; there are more than enough possibilities to put less pressure on the nation-wide network by going local. Now if only hams would do that…. but most don’t. Another reason to keep DMR for now is the gateway we recently added, which connects D-Star to our DMR network.
Not available on the Motorola network, sorry — some people responsible for that network appear to be so scared of such innovations that they will ban a repeater from the network if such a gateway is detected.
Talk group ‘USA 1776′ could add to the appeal of DMR. It’s unclear on which network this talk group will reside, but my best guess is that it will be the Motorola network. MITCON writes:
The “USA 1776″ (English preferred) Talk Group will be distributed worldwide to DMR networks upon request. The spirit of “1776” is to continue the Amateur Radio tradition of international friendship and to push the boundaries of technology in the new frontier of digital communications.
USA 1776 is intended to be a flexible, politically neutral, unrestricted Talk Group that can be used as Push-To-Talk (PTT) or Full-Time (FT) to meet the operating requirements of a DMR Network. DMR subscribers are welcome to use 1776 as a universal meeting place to “Rag Chew” or as a jumping off point and QSY to an alternative Talk Group if desired. To add USA 1776 to your DMR Network please contact us to schedule a time for configuration & testing.
2 Responses to “‘USA 1776′ DMR Talk Group”
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You don’t need D*Star or DMR to talk worldwide using a 2m HT. IRLP, Echolink, WINS, and several other systems provide that capability for ANYONE with a STANDARD Analog 2m FM handie talkie and an appropriate node nearby. You don’t need a particular brand of radio to do it, nor do you need to use a special digital mode – the common FM mode works great. In fact, with Echolink, you don’t even need a radio, your smartphone will work.
I have to say I agree with Jeff [ke7acy].
To me, Echolink and even IRLP seem way more appealing as if you are in range of a repeater supporting one, ANY radio will do! [Also as to Echolink, like Jeff mentioned, even a smartphone will do in lieu of a radio]
Also to me they seem more compatible and universal then D-Star or DMR … no “time slots” etc.
That being said, D-Star is maturing, and perhaps eventually D-Star and other more proprietary modes will “open up” and become more universal!
73 all
~J