New forms of digital radio are gaining popularity. For example, on the radioid.net database, which is used by the DM-MARC and BrandMeister networks, there are now at least 161,000 registered callsigns, and the number keeps growing at a fast pace.
DX1ARM on digital
For this article, I will focus on DMR and C4FM, since these are the platforms supported by DX1ARM. Here are the assets we have thus far (this article was updated as of 2nd half of 2023):
- Yaesu DR-2X C4FM repeater deployed in San Mateo, Rizal, operating at 431.600 MHz. This is a hybrid C4FM and analog repeater, which supports Yaesu System Fusion radios.
- Yaesu FT-2DR used as a WIRES-X node, connected to the DX1ARM-RPT-LINK WIRES-X room 89934 as our primary link.
- If the above room is offline, we are also bridged to W1PTG’s FCC-PILIPINAS room 69735 as our secondary link (both rooms will hear each other in either case).
- Motorola GM-300 with MMDVM board as wireless link, linking our repeater to YSF room number 78427 “DX1ARM”. We use this as a tertiary link for when the WIRES-X links are offline.
- BrandMeister DMR TalkGroup 51518 “DX1ARM” crosslinked to YSF 78427 and to the DX1ARM-RPT-LINK WIRES-X room.
- Allstarlink Node 50763 bridged to the above rooms, talkgroups, and reflectors, as well as Echolink DX1ARM-L.
These inter-links mean that when someone is talking on BM TG51518, for example, the traffic is also transmitted to WIRES-X, the YSF room, as well as Allstar, and Echolink, allowing for cross-mode communication.
I will not go in-depth into the technical specifications of DMR and C4FM, but you can check out online resources for these. For example: What is DMR? What is System Fusion?
I will focus more on some practical considerations. For the purpose of this article, our comparison includes how you can get into the popular networks like the BrandMeister DMR network, the YSF (Yaesu System Fusion) network, and WIRES-X.
YSF is an unofficial network run on independent servers, while WIRES-X is Yaesu’s own network.
For the comparison, I will go into points below.
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