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Baofeng DM-5R Plus - Can't Receive Digital

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kb4cvn

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Using a Baofeng DM-5R Plus, programmed with the supplied software application: CPS_5R. (Chirp does not support this radio???..yet.)

Analog vhf-highband and uhf stuff is fine.

But, not having any amateur DMR repeaters anywhere within a 75 mile range to listen to, I decided to use the radio to listen to a few area public safety agencies who have migrated to DMR (Tier-2), to try and get my feet wet in this format.

-------------------------------

Before anyone comments, YES I know the DM-5R Plus does not support proper Tier-2 operation and cannot access independently TS-2, and therefore has been banned on Amateur repeaters. Not an issue here, as I am only trying to listen to anything I can.

-------------------------------


One of my local PD?s is on 461.17500 MHz, Color Code 5, Time Slot 1, Talkgroup 10001. (see: Staunton City, Virginia (VA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference )

Using the programming application (CP_5R Version 1.0) from Baofeng, I create a digital channel, program the receive frequency (461.17500), and as a precaution I program the transmit frequency for something in the 70cm amateur band, and go through their convoluted process to link in the talk GROUP LIST to this channel. (See attached images in PDF)

On an analog FM receiver, I hear digital noise on the frequency.
On the DM-5R Plus radio, I see a green receive indication light, and a signal on the little bar graph signal strength indicator, but no audio is heard in the speaker.

What am I doing wrong ???

I may have worked for 34 years in two-way radio as an Installer, Technician, and lastly as a P-25 System Engineer. But this is killing me ! :( :( :(
 
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mescalero

Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2013
Messages
95
Using a Baofeng DM-5R Plus, programmed with the supplied software application: CPS_5R. (Chirp does not support this radio???..yet.)

Analog vhf-highband and uhf stuff is fine.

But, not having any amateur DMR repeaters anywhere within a 75 mile range to listen to, I decided to use the radio to listen to a few area public safety agencies who have migrated to DMR (Tier-2), to try and get my feet wet in this format.

-------------------------------

Before anyone comments, YES I know the DM-5R Plus does not support proper Tier-2 operation and cannot access independently TS-2, and therefore has been banned on Amateur repeaters. Not an issue here, as I am only trying to listen to anything I can.

-------------------------------


One of my local PD?s is on 461.17500 MHz, Color Code 5, Time Slot 1, Talkgroup 10001. (see: Staunton City, Virginia (VA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference )

Using the programming application (CP_5R Version 1.0) from Baofeng, I create a digital channel, program the receive frequency (461.17500), and as a precaution I program the transmit frequency for something in the 70cm amateur band, and go through their convoluted process to link in the talk GROUP LIST to this channel. (See attached images in PDF)

On an analog FM receiver, I hear digital noise on the frequency.
On the DM-5R Plus radio, I see a green receive indication light, and a signal on the little bar graph signal strength indicator, but no audio is heard in the speaker.

What am I doing wrong ???

I may have worked for 34 years in two-way radio as an Installer, Technician, and lastly as a P-25 System Engineer. But this is killing me ! :( :( :(
set contact name
 

kb4cvn

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"set contact name"

I thought the Contact Name was to alias a user's numeric ID to display a alphanumeric tag: Joe or WA1ABC.


I have:
CC = 5
SLOT = 1
GROUP LIST = List1 (which has DMR Talkgroup 10001 already in it)

I will add: CONTACTS = GROUP10001
 
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kb4cvn

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Location
Nowhere near a paved road, away from the maddening
I wonder it part of my problem is understanding of terms on my part...

In my experience, GROUP LIST is a list of conventional or trunked talkgroups being used to assign digital voice communications.


CONTACTS is nothing more than a convenience list for the user, to translate the numerical ID number for each user and translate it into something more meaningful, such as alphanumeric name tag, which is displayed on the radio. IE: DISPATCH, JOE SMITH, UNIT 5455, DESK SGT, etc.
 

jonwienke

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Contact specifies which recipient (group ID or radio ID) that will be called when the user keys the mic.

Group List specifies which talkgroup(s) will break squelch when the radio hears them.
 

N4GIX

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Hot Springs, AR
Contact List serves two purposes:

  1. Define Talk Groups by name and number as "Group Call"
  2. Define User List by name and number as "Private Call"
upnYB.jpg
 

bearsck

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Mar 7, 2010
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Hellam,Pa
Tier 2

The Ham radio networks use Tier 2 DMR. The DM5R is only Tier 1 DMR. There may be an upgrade to the radio out there that will allow it to do Tier 2. PS. I am not a regular on forums so if this issue was brought up already my apologies.
 

N4GIX

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The Ham radio networks use Tier 2 DMR. The DM5R is only Tier 1 DMR. There may be an upgrade to the radio out there that will allow it to do Tier 2. PS. I am not a regular on forums so if this issue was brought up already my apologies.
This and the one other thread aren't all that long.

The radio is currently a half-crippled version of "Tier II" that is only capable of sort-of working on Slot 1. Unfortunately, it bleeds into Slot 2 at the same time making it totally unsuitable for use on any amateur DMR repeater. :twisted:
 

jonwienke

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The Ham radio networks use Tier 2 DMR. The DM5R is only Tier 1 DMR. There may be an upgrade to the radio out there that will allow it to do Tier 2.

There is no update to the radio that will allow proper Tier II operation. It is hardware limited to broadcasting on both timeslots, which means it cannot do Tier I or Tier II properly. And this has been discussed numerous times before.
 
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Have you verified the colour code and talkgroup information? If you just took it from radioreference it could be wrong or outdated. Having the wrong group or colour code would be the easiest explanation for not receiving anything.
 

Ghstwolf62

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This is going to be an issue I think. Heard several Hams talking the other day and they purchased these real cheap radios to get on DMR repeaters when they travel into areas with them.

They have no idea they don't work. They also have no idea how DMR works. They were talking about what CTCSS codes to put in to access the DMR repeaters.

On top of that they are telling all their Ham friends to get them too.

There is an update that supposedly allows normal operation but frankly I wouldn't even try it.
 

teufler

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don't have any DMR ham repeaters in area, but as a listening too, for Tier 2 commercial, works very good. I use them for simplex at various events, like ham fests or exercises or shadowing at some event, they work good. My TYT 390 is better but the DM-5R'S, got three of them, and once I got the programming figured out, they are good, fort what I am using. There are several DMR systems that are commercial, the radios decode them okay.
 

Your_account

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They have no idea they don't work. They also have no idea how DMR works. They were talking about what CTCSS codes to put in to access the DMR repeaters.
And most of then talking ****.
The say Digital is rubbis because the dont understand or dont want to understand how it works.
I have a lot of Amateur Hobbyist in my Area the say Digital is rubbish and never try it.
 

jonwienke

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There is an update that supposedly allows normal operation but frankly I wouldn't even try it.

The "Plus" radios already have the update. It doesn't stop the radio from transmitting on both timeslots--that is a hardware problem that CANNOT be fixed with a firmware update.
 

Ghstwolf62

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don't have any DMR ham repeaters in area, but as a listening too, for Tier 2 commercial, works very good. I use them for simplex at various events, like ham fests or exercises or shadowing at some event, they work good. My TYT 390 is better but the DM-5R'S, got three of them, and once I got the programming figured out, they are good, fort what I am using. There are several DMR systems that are commercial, the radios decode them okay.

I suppose that would work okay but like the Hams I was listening to here imagine all these people who are getting them thinking they are just peachy for an entry level radio into DMR.

Apparently one Ham is recommending them to others who are now buying them and recommending them as well and all are just waiting to get down to Roanoke or into WV to use them on DMR repeaters in those locations.

Not a good situation anyway you look at it and couple that with them having no idea about DMR, how it works or how to use it and.......well......
 
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