Alinco: DR-MD520 Roaming Channels and Talk Groups

[qmsarge]

I have an Alinco DR-MD520 set. There are also a set of DMR Tier II repeaters located in various parts of the city which are linked with each other (i.e. Time Slot 2 of all these repeaters are connected and broadcast the same message/data). From the manual I understand that each of these repeater frequencies can be programmed as Roaming Channels, and then grouped under a single Roaming Zone. And either manually or automatically the radio can scan these frequencies and latch on to the one having strongest signals. The roaming channel or roaming zone did not have a provision to mention the Talk Group ID which should be listened into. If the Talk Group ID is not mentioned, how will the radio decide on which messages should be received?
NOTE: My understanding is that Roaming channels and roaming zones are for mobile operations, where based on the location of the vehicle the repeater strongest/closest to it would change and the radio should automatically change to the strongest repeater and then be ready for Tx and Rx on that repeater (but on which Talk Group? - that is where I am confused)

 

[N5WMT]

I have an Alinco DR-MD520 set. There are also a set of DMR Tier II repeaters located in various parts of the city which are linked with each other (i.e. Time Slot 2 of all these repeaters are connected and broadcast the same message/data). From the manual I understand that each of these repeater frequencies can be programmed as Roaming Channels, and then grouped under a single Roaming Zone. And either manually or automatically the radio can scan these frequencies and latch on to the one having strongest signals. The roaming channel or roaming zone did not have a provision to mention the Talk Group ID which should be listened into. If the Talk Group ID is not mentioned, how will the radio decide on which messages should be received?
NOTE: My understanding is that Roaming channels and roaming zones are for mobile operations, where based on the location of the vehicle the repeater strongest/closest to it would change and the radio should automatically change to the strongest repeater and then be ready for Tx and Rx on that repeater (but on which Talk Group? - that is where I am confused)

I also have a 520T but am using RT Systems software that makes programming a breeze. Further, they are very helpful with problems.

 

[qmsarge]

I also have a 520T but am using RT Systems software that makes programming a breeze. Further, they are very helpful with problems.

Thank you for your response. Will it be possible for you to check if RT Systems software allows programming Roaming channels, Zones with a Talk Group? At least check if the software provides an option to enter a Talk Group ID?

 

[W1MTW]

I know the software for my Anytone 878 allows for the entry of those.

 

[popnokick]

This thread would be likely to get more qualified responses if it was posted in the

Digital Voice for Amateur Use Forum​

Digital Voice for Amateur Use

Discuss use of digital voice technologies on the amateur radio bands. This is to include technologies such as VoIP, P25, DMR/TRBO, NXDN, D-STAR, etc.

forums.radioreference.com

 

[AK9R]

The OP's question is specific to the programming of his radio. I think the thread is fine where it is.

 

[N5WMT]

I pulled up the RT software and noted they do have roaming channels and roaming zones. I'm not using this feature. So I suppose you can scan DMR zones as to wither you can tie this to groups is above my pay grade. Why don't you call RT Systems directly? They have always been helpful to me

73

 

[qmsarge]

Why don't you call RT Systems directly? They have always been helpful to me

Thanks for the suggestion. I am not using RT systems software at the moment. I guess, I need to pay & buy the software and then reach out to their technical support. My only worry is that I get the software from RT systems only to find out that they too don't support this feature, or unable to solve my problem. Except for this feature, the CPS provided by Alinco is meeting my all other requirements.

 

[N5WMT]

Ok but a call to them pre purchase may answer your questions . I've found them most civil.

73

 

[qmsarge]

Ok but a call to them pre purchase may answer your questions . I've found them most civil.

73

Thank you. I have dropped them (Tech Support & Web Sales) a note today. Will share the update I get here as well. Thanks for all the help & support!

 

[qmsarge]

Received very prompt response from RT Systems teams. It reads "Our software will allow you to manipulate any menu setting that the radio has built in to it. We cannot make the radio behave in ways that it was not designed to behave. If the radio is capable of doing what you describe then you would likely be able to use our software to configure it for such. If the radio is not capable of doing what you describe then our software will not force to radio to do it".
They too said that they are not experts in each and every radio set (as they support 600 unique radio sets). Let me check if I can some how reach out to Alinco Tech. Support.

 

[popnokick]

Alinco's DMR roaming is probably very similar to AnyTone's, and not Motorola's. Here is a comparison of roaming on Motorola va AnyTone -
Digital Roaming?

 

[qmsarge]

A quick update. I bought the RT Systems software for Alinco DR-MD520. It also did not have any option to set a Talk Group for a Roaming Zone or for a set of Roaming Channels. I went ahead by configuring a set of Roaming channels (which I knew had two TalkGroups assigned to the frequencies), and adding them to a Roaming zone. Did a few trial runs.

I had enabled the Auto roam options to run every three minute. But that did not seem to be working. Or it could be that I was moving in a very small area, where one repeater was sending strong signals and radio did not try the auto roam at all. I also tried the "Roam once" option. That worked, and the radio tuned into the repeater/roaming channel which was the strongest.

But I could not hear any voice signals at all. My observation (which may be wrong) is that the radio is locking into the first Talk Group which it picks up on the roaming channel. One of the TalkGroups is only used for sending messages etc., and if the radio locks in to this Talk Group then I will not hear any voice conversations. I will keep monitoring a few more days when I have to travel across the city.

Alinco's DMR roaming is probably very similar to AnyTone's, and not Motorola's.

The DMR Tier II system is a Motorola based one, and this could be the reason why Alinco DR-MD520 set is not working as expected.