Dmr radio.

[steven6969]

I’m just coming back into the hobby of scanning and I notice there is a lot of DMR use on frequencies now.
I can hear processed electronic noise on these frequencies using my analog scanner.

I’m in the uk and want to hear these DMR transmissions, are they actual speech? How can I decode these transmissions? Do I need a DMR scanner to hear them..for example my local hospital transmissions.

What devices or software would people recommend?

Thanks for any advice given
Steve.

 

[marksmith]

Uniden has a scanner that handles only DNR and NXDN. The BCD160DN.

 

[steven6969]

Thanks. Would that unit decode the transmissions I want hear?

 

[buddrousa]

It does Analog DMR and NXDN out of the box nice entry level scanner for nontrunking systems.

 

[Ubbe]

What devices or software would people recommend?

I would recommend a SDR dongle and a popular one are the RTL-SDR at maybe £30-£40
Then use the SDR# Windows program and there's a DMR plugin for that for decoding DMR signals. There's also the DSD-FME program that can use that RTL-SDR dongle to decode digital signals like DMR.

You can then listen to those frequencies that your analog scanner picks up and you might find more by looking at the spectrum display in SDR# and decide if they are worth listening to, they can be encrypted. That SDR dongle can be used to monitor airplane communication and can scan the whole band in a few seconds and can be used for many other things and are very useful besides listening to DMR. If you are near an airport they often use Tetra radiosystems and using TetraTrunkTracker software available here at RR you can monitor everything going on at the airport on any other Tetra system that do not use encryption.

There are radios in the £100 range that decodes DMR and can be programmed to scan those frequencies. Scanners are also an alternative and Whistlers TRX1 or TRX2 are easy to use, just enter frequencies and listen, and any second hand scanner or radio will do fine but scanners are of course more expensive than a radio but are also more versatile and can do a lot more but you already have one for analog signals. Look into the UK Facebook group Free Scanner Software for support and programs to help monitoring digital systems.

/Ubbe

 

[RaleighGuy]

Thanks. Would that unit decode the transmissions I want hear?

I would recommend a SDR dongle and a popular one are the RTL-SDR at maybe £30-£40
Then use the SDR# Windows program and there's a DMR plugin for that for decoding DMR signals. There's also the DSD-FME program that can use that RTL-SDR dongle to decode digital signals like DMR.

You can then listen to those frequencies that your analog scanner picks up and you might find more by looking at the spectrum display in SDR# and decide if they are worth listening to, they can be encrypted. That SDR dongle can be used to monitor airplane communication and can scan the whole band in a few seconds and can be used for many other things and are very useful besides listening to DMR. If you are near an airport they often use Tetra radiosystems and using TetraTrunkTracker software available here at RR you can monitor everything going on at the airport on any other Tetra system that do not use encryption.

There are radios in the £100 range that decodes DMR and can be programmed to scan those frequencies. Scanners are also an alternative and Whistlers TRX1 or TRX2 are easy to use, just enter frequencies and listen, and any second hand scanner or radio will do fine but scanners are of course more expensive than a radio but are also more versatile and can do a lot more but you already have one for analog signals. Look into the UK Facebook group Free Scanner Software for support and programs to help monitoring digital systems.

/Ubbe

I second what @Ubbe posted, this would be a great place to start

 

[steven6969]

Thankyou for all the information guys. I’ll shall look into some of these ideas.

 

[chief21]

Thanks. Would that unit decode the transmissions I want hear?

Be aware that not all digital noise equals DMR. DMR is only one of numerous types of digital signals, including P25, NXDN, TETRA, dPMR, d*star and Fusion (amateur modes), as well as various paging and data signals. I would suggest researching the signals you're interested in monitoring to determine their mode/type before purchasing the wrong equipment.

 

[steven6969]

Be aware that not all digital noise equals DMR. DMR is only one of numerous types of digital signals, including P25, NXDN, TETRA, dPMR, d*star and Fusion (amateur modes), as well as various paging and data signals. I would suggest researching the signals you're interested in monitoring to determine their mode/type before purchasing the wrong equipment.

I think that’s very wise information. Thankyou for that.

 

[SigIntel8600]

Be aware that not all digital noise equals DMR. DMR is only one of numerous types of digital signals, including P25, NXDN, TETRA, dPMR, d*star and Fusion (amateur modes), as well as various paging and data signals. I would suggest researching the signals you're interested in monitoring to determine their mode/type before purchasing the wrong equipment.

OP if you have deep pockets, look at the AOR 5700, the AOR DV-1 or the soon to be released AOR DV-3. All digital modes are covered.

 

[bearcatrp]

The 160DN would be the least expensive radio since it comes with DMR. Allot depends on what the OP wants, handheld or desktop, and how much he wants to spend. If he knows computers, a dongle could work too.