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

Yaesu FT-70D - Releasing June 2017

It looks as though Yaesu are trying to introduce their digital/Analogue Fusion mode to a wider audience. The new FT-70D is going to be priced at around £190 in the UK, and with the exception of the imported Chinese mono band DMR radios, has to be the cheapest digital radio (and dual band, at that!) to be released in the UK.

This radio will enable users to access Fusion Repeaters and Gateways, but apparently, doesn't have some of the data functionality of the more expensive hand held radios (FT-1D and FT-2D). This could be a real game changer. It will be interesting to see if it becomes a popular digital choice. 

Full details:

Yaesu FT-70DR

C4FM FDMA / FM 144/430 MHz DUAL BAND 5W Handheld Transceiver

The FT-70DR is a compact System Fusion transceiver providing both conventional analog FM operation and the advanced C4FM Digital mode.

The FT-70DR provides up to 5W of reliable RF power, and its large Front Speaker delivers 700mW of Loud Audio Output. Because C4FM has better BER (Bit Error Rate) characteristics than other digital modulations, the user can expect exceptional audio quality.

The digital FT-70DR includes Automatic Mode Select (AMS) function. AMS detects the operating mode of the received signal as C4FM Digital or analog FM, and then automatically and instantly switches the receiver to the appropriate mode. Users do not need to manually change between modes.

The multi-colored LED Mode-Indicator displayed on the front allows the operator to easily see what mode the FT-70DR is in at any given moment. LED Mode-Indicator clearly and visibly shows the transmit/ receive mode by changing its color so that the operating mode of the transceiver is easily recognized at a glance.

One of the other distinguishing features of the FT-70DR is Digital Group Monitor (GM) with DG-ID and DP-ID. DGID (Digital Group Identification) and DP-ID (Digital Personal Identification) are useful features now included in the FT-70DR, to simplify the GM operation. Simply put, the transceivers selecting the same DG-ID or DP-ID can communicate with each other. Between 00 and 99 DG-ID and DP-ID are selectable which provides loads of flexibility so that users can enjoy group communication with friends in GM mode in accordance to their individual operational needs.

Other included standard features and functions are; IP54 Rating (Dust/ Water Protection) construction, wide band receive coverage of 108 – 579.995MHz, Versatile Scanning Capabilities such as Programmable VFO Scan, Memory Scan, and Priority Channel Scan, External DC Jack for DC Supply Operation and to Charge the Battery, Mini USB port for convenient programming and software updates, CTCSS/ DCS Operation, Automatic Power Off (AFO) feature, RF Squelch, Transmitter Time Out Timer (TOT) and Busy Channel Lock-Out (BCLO).

• System Fusion Compatible
• FM Friendly Digital Operation with AMS (Automatic Mode Select)
• Sophisticated C4FM Digital Functions : Digital Group Monitor (GM) / DG-ID, DP-ID Operation *1 
  • *1 DG-ID: Digital Group Identification, DP-ID: Digital Personal Identification
• 5 Watts of Reliable RF Power inside a Compact body
• 700 mW Loud Audio Output and Clear Voice
• Large Multi-Color Mode Indicator
• Rugged Construction Meets IP54 (Dust / Water protection)
• Huge 1,105 Channel Memory
• Wide Band Receive Coverage 108 – 579.995 MHz
• Versatile Scanning Capabilities: Programmed VFO Scan, Memory Scan, Priority Channel Scan
• WX Channels with “Severe Weather” Alert (US version)
• 7.4 V 1,800 mAh Lithium Ion Battery pack (SBR-24LI) Included
• Equipped with External DC Jack for DC Supply and Battery Charge
• Equipped with Mini USB port for Convenient Memory Management and Software updates
• Transceiver-to-Transceiver Cloning with Optional Cloning Cable (CT-27)
• CTCSS/DCS Operation
• RF Squelch
• Automatic Power-Off (APO) Feature
• Transmitter Time-Out-Timer (TOT)
• Busy Channel Lock-Out (BCLO0
• Frequency Ranges:
  • RX 
    • 108 – 137 MHz (Air Band)
    • 137 – 174 MHz (144 MHz HAM)
    • 174 – 222 MHz (VHF1)
    • 222 – 420 MHz (VHF2)
    • 420 – 470 MHz (430 MHz HAM)
    • 470 – 579.995 MHz (UHF band)
  • TX
    • 144 – 148 MHz
    • 430 – 450 MHz
  Circuit Type: Double-Conversion Superheterodyne
  Modulation Type: F2D, F3E, F7W
  RF Power Output: 5 W/2 W/0.5 W (@7.4 V or EXT DC)
  AF Audio Output: 700 mW (@16 ohms 10 % THD: Internal speaker)
  Case Size (W x H x D): 2.36” x 3.86” x 1.3” (60 x 98 x 33 mm) w/o Knob and Antenna
  Weight (Approx.): 8.99 oz (255 g) with SBR-24LI and Antenna
  Warranty: 3 Years

MB6IGK C4FM Fusion WiRES X Internet Gateway

The MB6IGK RF/Internet Gateway into the WiRES X Fusion C4FM network on 434.0375 MHz is still up and running over weekends and during weekday evenings.

It automatically connects up to the CQ-UK room run by Stuart M0SGS (thanks Stu! :) ), but can be manually redirected to connect to other Repeaters/Gateways/Nodes, or Rooms by any Fusion digital capable radio.

CQ-UK is proving to be a popular room on the Yaesu Fusion WiRES X network, as can be seen from the latest screen capture from my Gateway software. It's currently the fourth busiest 'room' in the world!

In addition to the 29 Repeaters/Gateways, and Nodes listed in the pop-out window, there are also a number of inter-connected links to the DMR network and D-Star Hotspot nodes. This all makes for a pretty busy room. Please remember to leave a long breath pause at the beginning and end of each over, this allows the network to sync everybody, and it makes sure no audio is lost.