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dmr_administration [2017/01/02 16:37]
kd6kpc
dmr_administration [2021/02/27 14:11] (current)
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 DMR repeater page can be found at https://www.repeaterbook.com/dmr DMR repeater page can be found at https://www.repeaterbook.com/dmr
  
-=== What is DMR? ===+===== What is DMR? =====
 Please read the document [[http://www.trbo.org/docs/Amateur_Radio_Guide_to_DMR.pdf|here]]. All admins should have a basic understanding of DMR, how it works, and how it is set up. Please read the document [[http://www.trbo.org/docs/Amateur_Radio_Guide_to_DMR.pdf|here]]. All admins should have a basic understanding of DMR, how it works, and how it is set up.
  
-DMR is particularly challenging for Hams as it is digital technology playing in an analog world. Hams are used to just dialing in a frequency, tone, and offset and being able to get on a repeater. This his not how DMR works. DMR was designed for the commercial and government world, and with the next generation of DMR hitting the market, the older generation equipment is flooding the secondary market and being snapped up by Hams. It used to be cost prohibitive to purchase DMR radios, but there are plenty of discount radios being brought to market now. DMR requires a "code plug", which is essentially a memory of the radio's settings, modes, channels, and other parameters needed to access the repeater. These code plugs can be a challenge to create as the learning curve is steep.+DMR is particularly challenging for Hams as it is digital technology playing in an analog world. Hams are used to just dialing in a frequency, tone, and offset and being able to get on a repeater. This is not how DMR works. DMR was designed for the commercial and government world, and with the next generation of DMR hitting the market, the older generation equipment is flooding the secondary market and being snapped up by Hams. It used to be cost-prohibitive to purchase DMR radios, but there are plenty of discount radios being brought to market now. DMR requires a "code plug", which is essentially a memory of the radio's settings, modes, channels, and other parameters needed to access the repeater. These code plugs can be a challenge to create as the learning curve is steep.
  
 There is a lot of peer pressure within the Ham community for new Hams coming into DMR to learn how to create their own code plugs. To create one, the Ham needs to know the repeater's input and output frequencies, the color code (like PL tone), and the available talk groups. The talk groups each have an ID code and the correct ID code must be entered in to access that talk group. DMR is also divided into two time slots. Two time slots can be used at the same time. talk groups are usually assigned to one talk group or the other, so knowing which time slot a talk group is on is important. The final parameter is how the talk group is activated. It can be on full-time, only come up when someone activates it by bringing up that talk group on their radio and keying up, or during a scheduled time. There is a lot of peer pressure within the Ham community for new Hams coming into DMR to learn how to create their own code plugs. To create one, the Ham needs to know the repeater's input and output frequencies, the color code (like PL tone), and the available talk groups. The talk groups each have an ID code and the correct ID code must be entered in to access that talk group. DMR is also divided into two time slots. Two time slots can be used at the same time. talk groups are usually assigned to one talk group or the other, so knowing which time slot a talk group is on is important. The final parameter is how the talk group is activated. It can be on full-time, only come up when someone activates it by bringing up that talk group on their radio and keying up, or during a scheduled time.
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 Repeaterbook attempts to gather the information needed for Hams to create their own code plugs.  Repeaterbook attempts to gather the information needed for Hams to create their own code plugs. 
 +
 +==== Nomenclature ====
 +On Repeaterbook.com, we use certain nomenclature that matches the DMR community to reduce the probability of confusion. it is important to know these terms and what they mean.
 +
 +=== Wide Network ===
 +This is the flavor of the DMR system. There are three different flavors, DMR-MARC, DMRplus (DMR+), DCI, and BrandMeister. The architecture of each is a little bit different. We track the Wide Network because it influences the architecture of a client-radio codeplug.
 +
 +=== Local Network ===
 +A local network is a group of repeaters that have very similar talk groups. They tend to be linked to each other through the talk groups in various ways and connect to the same c-bridge.
 +
 +=== c-Bridge ===
 +This is like a server. The Local Networks connect to the c-bridge which handles the routing of talk groups. The c-bridge can route talk groups to other repeaters within the same local network or send it out to other c-bridges or even cross over to other Wide Networks.
  
  
 ==== Editing a Repeater's Assigned Talk Groups ==== ==== Editing a Repeater's Assigned Talk Groups ====
  
-When editing a repeater, whether with or without user request submission, there is a with link to Manage Talk GroupsClick this link and new window will appear+First of all, you need to understand what talk group is and why DMR repeaters use them. Talk groups are not just used on DMR repeaters, but also exist on P-25 and other repeater digital modes. Essentially, a talk group is a channel within channelThe talk groups are assigned numerical code and when all of the other radios are "tuned" or listening for that particular talk group code, or ID, when someone talks they all listen. A radio tuned to the same repeater frequency and not listening for that talk group ID may not hear anything (the only time you would hear something is if you had your radio set to listed to all conversations, regardless of the talk group.).
  
-From this window, you have two options. One is to Add Network and the other is to Add Talk group. You should add the Network if you know what it is. +Since DMR repeaters are typically linked to centralized computer hubs, called c-bridges, using talk groups allows repeaters without user actually monitoring talk group to remain quietAn exception is if a repeater has programmed that talk group to be full-time or only activated by PTT.
  
 +So, another caveat to the talk groups is the full-time vs. PTT monitoring. Repeaters have the option of monitoring and repeating all traffic for a talk group all the time. Usually, owners will program a talk group to only be monitored when a user requests it. This can really cut down on the chatter and is a common setting for very large area talk groups, like the Worldwide talk group. For a user to use that channel, they bring up that talk group on their radio and key the radio. This will send a message to the repeater to begin actively monitoring that talk group. This is the same in concept to dialing up an AllStar room, IRLP node, EchoLink node, etc. The repeaters are also set up with a hold off timer which is how long the repeater will listed to that talk group without hearing a local key up. Repeaterbook does not track hold off timers.
 +
 +The final caveat to a talk group is the time slot the talk group is on. DMR repeaters can actually handle two conversations at once, one on time slot one and one on time slot two. This concept would seem impossible for users of analog repeaters because doubling would occur. However, DMR repeaters can "hear" two radios at once on two different time slots. Essentially, the packets a radio sends when keyed up identify if the radio is on time slot one and time slot two, The repeater then accepts these packets, stitches them together, and sends them on to the correct time slot and talk group. DMR repeaters actually don't allow doubling and can reject a transmission from a radio when the time slot is already in use.
 +
 +So, to add a talk group to a repeater, you need, at minimum, the time slot and the talk group. You can enter the talk group info without the access (full-time vs. PTT), but users appreciate this information. With this data, you can edit a repeater from the "manage talk group" link.
 + 
 +From the new window that appears, you have three options. One is to Add a Network, Add a Single Talk group, or Bulk Add. You should add the Network (c-bridge) if you know what it is. 
 +
 +=== Networks ===
 Networks are preferred as they entered into the database with all of the talk groups and time slots for that repeater's affiliated network. If you add the correct network, the repeater's details page will automatically retrieve all of the task groups for that network. It saves a lot of time because you don't have to enter in all of the individual talk groups. It also allows admins to make a single change for the network instead of edit each repeater one by one. Networks are preferred as they entered into the database with all of the talk groups and time slots for that repeater's affiliated network. If you add the correct network, the repeater's details page will automatically retrieve all of the task groups for that network. It saves a lot of time because you don't have to enter in all of the individual talk groups. It also allows admins to make a single change for the network instead of edit each repeater one by one.
  
-To manage networks, please see DMR Network Administration below. This module will allow you to create and edit a DMR network.+To manage networks, please see DMR Network Administration below. This module will allow you to create and edit a DMR network. 
  
-Occasionally, a repeater may have a different talk group access configuration (i.e., PTT-Activated, Full-Time, or Scheduled). You can override this setting by adding the talk group as a custom talk group. You can //only// do this if the access is different. For all other issues, please read about [[syntax#DMR Network Administration|DMR Network Administration]].+=== Custom Talk Groups === 
 +Occasionally, a repeater may have a different talk group access configuration (i.e., PTT-Activated, Full-Time, or Scheduled). You can override this setting by adding the talk group as a custom talk group. You can //only// do this if the access is different. For all other issues, please read about [[dmr_administration#dmr network administration|DMR Network Administration]].
  
 You can also add a custom talk group if the talk group is not a part of the network, for stand-alone repeaters, or where the network info is not known. You can also add a custom talk group if the talk group is not a part of the network, for stand-alone repeaters, or where the network info is not known.
 +
 +=== Bulk Add ===
 +Bulk add is a spin off of the [[dmr_administration#Custom Talk Groups|Custom Talk Group]] method of adding. With this method, you can select a preconfigured set of talk groups from a c-bridge or network. A list of all the talk groups available to that network will appear. Sometimes, not all of the talk groups are available for a repeater, so you simply select the ones that are. You can also change the time slot and access configurations on a talk group by talk groups basis. The talk groups are then added to the database just like the single talk groups are added. Maintenance is performed from the single talk group module.
  
 ===== DMR Network Administration ===== ===== DMR Network Administration =====
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 From the admin dashboard, you can access the DMR Management Module from the link in the Tools section of the menu. It will open a new page. This home page displays all of the current networks. A checkmark is shown if you are subscribed to the network. If you need to create a new network, you can click Create a Network from the menu. From the admin dashboard, you can access the DMR Management Module from the link in the Tools section of the menu. It will open a new page. This home page displays all of the current networks. A checkmark is shown if you are subscribed to the network. If you need to create a new network, you can click Create a Network from the menu.
 +
 +There is a general rule to adding a network. When adding talk groups, only add talk groups that are common to all repeaters on the network. This applies specifically to the talk group number only. Talk groups with different time slots and access methods (i.e., PTT-activated, Full-time, or Scheduled) can be handled by adding [[dmr_administration#custom talk groups|custom talk groups]].
  
 When you are subscribed to a network, you will receive notifications from the system whenever an admin makes a change to a network. When you are subscribed to a network, you will receive notifications from the system whenever an admin makes a change to a network.
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 Click a network from the home page. The network's home page will show your current subscription status. Simply click the subscribe or unsubscribe link from the menu to perform the desired action. Whenever new networks are created, all admins will receive an email notification with a link to the subscription module to allow for subscribing to the DMR network. Whenever a change is made to a DMR Network, an email notification is sent to all subscribed admins. This email also provides a link to unsubscribe from the DMR Network. Click a network from the home page. The network's home page will show your current subscription status. Simply click the subscribe or unsubscribe link from the menu to perform the desired action. Whenever new networks are created, all admins will receive an email notification with a link to the subscription module to allow for subscribing to the DMR network. Whenever a change is made to a DMR Network, an email notification is sent to all subscribed admins. This email also provides a link to unsubscribe from the DMR Network.
 +
  
 ==== Adding a Network ==== ==== Adding a Network ====
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 The network then can be clicked to be taken to the list of all of the repeaters within that network. The network then can be clicked to be taken to the list of all of the repeaters within that network.
  
-Individual talk groups within the database cannot be editedadded, or deleted from the database. Only the site admin can do this. Requests are made from the Forum so that all admins that have subscribed to the DMR Forum can weigh in on the change.+Only admins that have a high-proficiency with DMR have access to editadd, or delete talk groups from the master databases. Requests are made from the Forum so that all admins that have subscribed to the DMR Forum can weigh in on the change.
  
 https://www.repeaterbook.com/index.php/forum/dmr-admin https://www.repeaterbook.com/index.php/forum/dmr-admin
dmr_administration.1483396655.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/02/27 14:07 (external edit)