Fusion, D-Star, DMR combined Hotspot

 One of the downsides to the current trend in digital ham radio is the separation of users into distinct camps. Over the last ten or so years, this has taken an already small VHF/UHF user base and subdivided it into 'Fusion', 'D-Star', and  'DMR' users, plus some other digital modes such as NXDN and P25.

To make matters even more polarised, it's quite clear that the big brand manufacturers aren't going to agree to get along and support each others systems any time soon. To some extent, I think this subdivision has been embraced in some quarters of the amateur community. Perhaps a little too eagerly.

Fortunately, some members of the amateur community have taken a much more pragmatic and unifying approach to the separation of the digital systems. Hence we now have such things as the OpenSpot and MMDVM Hotspot. Put simply, this system allows you to use a radio using any of the modes to connect to the internet and access the networks of any of the modes.

Slowly buy surely, the different digital modes are being tied together via the internet.

This particular unit is a Chinese clone of a European design, that I purchased for £33, add on the cost of the Raspberry Pi 3 and a simple case and the whole thing cost £70, including shipping.

Add on a 3G WiFi Dongle (or just tether it to your smartphone), and a USB battery bank, and you have a portable hot spot that enables you to access all the digital modes wherever you are... so long as you can get a 3G phone signal.

Hytera MD785G

Hytera MD785G

With the new(ish) DMR to WiRES-X interlink on TG2351 connected into the CQ-UK room, I decided to pick up a mobile DMR radio. The best bang for the buck I could find on the used market was this Hytera MD785G in 'unblemished' condition.

Previously, on the TYT MD-380, I made use of a pre-programmed codeplug, and merely tweaked it for my use. On this occasion, I decided to start a new codeplug from scratch.

For the record, programming a DMR radio codeplug from scratch is possibly the most time consuming and tedious thing I've ever done in amateur radio. If you ever make use of someone else's codeplug, instead of programming it for yourself. Take a moment, and thank the person who programmed it for you. They have done you a HUGE favour!

On the plus side, I now have a better idea of what's going on under the hood. I also have a renewed appreciation for what Yaesu have accomplished with the Fusion system and just how easy it is to use and program from the faceplate.

Once all the PC programming of a DMR codeplug is out of the way, using a DMR radio couldn't be simpler. The unlabelled buttons take a while to familiarise yourself with, but it's pretty much plug and play after that.

The Hytera MD785G is a great mobile radio. It has two versions, a 5-25W and a 5-45W model, you can buy it in VHF or UHF versions (it's not dual band). The actual power settings can be fine tuned within these limits in the codeplug, so it's not just 5/25 or 5/45. It's a robust radio that's supposedly splash proof. I'm personally not going to test this claim, but I can believe it.

Audio quality is good, if occasionally louder than you are expecting from certain peoples radio transmissions, and the small square coloured display provides just about enough info, although I'm not sure why it needs the solid blue bar down the right hand side of the display, seems a waste of screen space. All in all, it functions pretty well for an everyday practical mobile radio.

MB6IGK-GW as of 30-06-2018

The Yaesu Fusion WiRES X Digital network is still up and running with lots of regular users. The CQ-UK room is especially busy, with Fusion Repeaters and Simplex Gateways attached, along with D-Star Reflectors and DMR Talkgroups.

Change of frequency

From the 30th of June 2018 (the NoV renewal date) MB6IGK will be changing frequency from 434.0375 to 433.6375, this is due to a change in the 70cm band plan and was made by the ETCC.

Please note the new operational frequency: 433.6375 MHz

D-Star, DMR, Fusion and analogue all connected on the WiRES X CQ-UK Room

The guys doing all the heavy lifting behind the scenes on the CQ-UK room have finally managed to get D-Star added to the already established DMR links in the room. This means we finally have a place where all the popular (UK) amateur modes can link up.

Fusion - DMR - D-Star - FM Analogue.

Congratulations to all involved in making this happen.

Further details on the connectivity are available from Stuart Priestly's (M0SGS) website: www.cq-uk.com