DMR Hotspot

[joesheets]

I am brand new to DMR and I am trying to learn as much as I can. I have a CS800D that I am going to use mobile and will get an HT or another base rig for the QTH.
I live in an area (East NC) which has a fair number of DMR repeaters, but I still like the idea of having Hotspots. I want one for mobile and one for the home.
I bought a Jumbo spot and have it up and running but I am looking for the best way to implement it. I have set up the CS800D with a zone with a few NA and Statewide channels from DMR Mark and BM but haven't heard any traffic as of yet. I also added an Echotest channel on the BM network but can't hear the return transmission.

I have tried Echotest on my local repeater and it works so I know the radio works. It is probably I don't have it programmed right for the hotspot.

I have attached a shot of the channel screen from the CPS. Does it look right?

 

[K5MPH]

Have you checked your Pi-Star settings,check your off set for the jumbospot.......

 

[bill4long]

The BM "parrot" (echo test) channel is private 9990. Not "group."
BM talkgroup 91 ("world wide") has a lot of activity. You can use their "last heard" page to see what talkgroups are active.

LastHeard | BrandMeister

brandmeister.network

 

[Hit_Factor]

I don't think you need an offset in pi-star, simplex is typical.

Your channel looks good, can't tell if your tx contact is correct. I usually name those the same as the TG number to remind me. Like WW 91 or NA 3100

 

[joesheets]

Where do I set it for Private?

 

[Hit_Factor]

That's in the contact, IIRC. I'm nowhere near a DMR CPS.

I don't think private is what you want, the TG are public contacts.

 

[joesheets]

I don't think you need an offset in pi-star, simplex is typical.

Your channel looks good, can't tell if your tx contact is correct. I usually name those the same as the TG number to remind me. Like WW 91 or NA 3100

The offset was not applied so both TX and RX are the same.

 

[Hit_Factor]

I recognized that, and therefore pi-star doesn't need an offset, as suggested in a previous post.

 

[joesheets]

They might be referring to a frequency error offset that you need for certain radios due to the lack of precision of the hotspot. I don't know how you would quantify if, or how much you would need.

 

[Hit_Factor]

Possible, but unlikely at this stage. That's for correcting BER, and you don't yet know the value. Maybe I'm missing something. Pi-star dashboard will provide the BER value when you get things working.

 

[joesheets]

I am getting a BER reading. But not hearing anything back.

 

[Hit_Factor]

BER isn't your problem.

 

[byron]

Do you actually have a list of receive talkgroup(s) (Rx Group List) associated with the channel alias in your codeplug/configuration? I don't have your radio model, but on mine, if I don't have a receive group of TGs assigned, I would not hear anything unless I throw it in "monitor" or premiscuous mode.

 

[joesheets]

I didn't but I do now but still hear nothing back in echo test. I hear others testing there though.

 

[Hit_Factor]

What's the TG number for the parrot?

Can you see your hotspot in BM selfcare? Have you assigned static TGs? Can you hear those?

Do you have a DMR ID number?

It's complicated to set these up. Maybe watch a DMR pistar video, or website. Go through setup very carefully.

 

[joesheets]

What's the TG number for the parrot?

Can you see your hotspot in BM selfcare?

I just joined BM. They said it might take 48 hrs to complete

Have you assigned static TGs? Can you hear those?

No. What are some I can try?

Do you have a DMR ID number?

Yes.

It's complicated to set these up. Maybe watch a DMR pistar video, or website. Go through setup very carefully.

I have watched a few of them. I think it is the way my radio is configured, not the Pi-star.

 

[Hit_Factor]

Joe, I gave you TG numbers early in this thread.

Watch videos about configuring DMR for use with pistar. Whatever radio you have, the DMR CPS is very similar, if videos aren't your thing search up a website and work through the setup. Pistar has a DMR support forum and wikis.

 

[joesheets]

The BM "parrot" (echo test) channel is private 9990. Not "group."

Thank you! That worked!

 

[mitbr]

The BM "parrot" (echo test) channel is private 9990. Not "group."
BM talkgroup 91 ("world wide") has a lot of activity. You can use their "last heard" page to see what talkgroups are active.

LastHeard | BrandMeister

brandmeister.network

You can also use this live current activity Brandmeister site much better than the one you mentioned check it out!

Brandmeister Top Activity

Brandmeister DMR network talkgroup activity monitor and aggregator; see which Brandmeister talkgroups are most active

app.brandmeisteractivity.live

Tim

 

[bill4long]

Where do I set it for Private?

That would be where you enter the digital ID. I don't have a CS800, but go back the digital ID section, it's should obvious how to set a given ID for group vs private.