Anytone Help, Anytone D878UVII from Powerwerx, new DMR user

[Flytoday]

Resonably computer savvy Tech-level ham, first post, appreciate help. Just bought Anytone D878UVII from Pwerx. Watched few hours of AnyTone 878 setup YouTubes. Pwerx PC software is Ver. 2.05, so I successfully updated radio’s firmware from 2.01 (IIRC) to 2.05. Read/Write from PC to radio works fine. Unlocked keys, setup ID, T/Gs, Channels, and Zones. I followed 2.5 hrs of telephone coaching from Elmer friend with 868. Also programmed 1 Analog channel to nearby repeater. PowerOn display chars and analog comm to analog repeater both working. No DMR success, no Parrot. I am trying to contact a couple of different repeaters in the SE Houston area. Beginning my 3rd day of struggling with this challenge. I did take the initial factory Digital Channel Information for an example UHF channel that came with the radio and opened an edit window and edited/inserted local data into the appropriate fields.

Specific questions:
Using Pwerx PC software Ver 2.05, in Channel Info Edit - what is Correct Frequency? It follows Receive Freq and Transmit Freq (and I specify them both Tx & Rx with offset, i.e. 442.85 and 447.85). Currently leaving Correct Freq at Default, which is 0.

Since I have specified individual Tx & Rx freqs what DMR MODE setting should I select? I have tried both Repeater and DMO/simplex and neither works.

Appreciate any suggestions, particularly if your using Powerwerx v2.05 software. Cannot find any setup videos or instructions about Correct Frequency and DMR MODE fields/options in v2.05.

Thx!

 

[chief21]

Appreciate any suggestions, particularly if your using Powerwerx v2.05 software. Cannot find any setup videos or instructions about Correct Frequency and DMR MODE fields/options in v2.05.

Assuming that your repeater specifics are correct, your overall channel set-up looks good to me. Frequency correction is not normally needed; Yes, DMR mode should be "Repeater" when operating through a DMR repeater.

Possibilities... Are you SURE that you're in range of the repeater? On most DMR repeaters, available talkgroups are activated with a brief kerchunk (PTT). Also, have you confirmed that the Worldwide talkgroup is actually available on this repeater?
Not all DMR repeaters are necessarily connected to the internet, nor do all of them necessarily include any given DMR talkgroup. Which DMR networks and/or talkgroups can be accessed by any particular DMR repeater is solely at the discretion of the repeater owner.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Looks like your receive group is empty, also not shown are your contacts so we do not know if you have them programmed in correctly. The TG for WW needs to be in contacts and Receive Group List.

 

[Flytoday]

Chief21 and RaleighGuy, appreciate the tips. I'll test and report. Thanks!

 

[AE4NG]

Verify that your TGs are correct for the repeater you’re using. Also verify to make sure you have the right Color Code for the repeater.

looked up the repeater in your picture in Repeaterbook.com and it looks like Worldwide is on slot 1 and is TG 1. I did not see Parrot listed at all on the repeater on either slot so it’s not going to work. The Color Code listed is 7. Here’s a link to the repeater in your picture… La Porte 442.85000 N5LUY Texas Repeater

Unless repeaterbook.com is wrong or outdated, it’s your best bet for the TG info and whatnot. Either that or you can find the most accurate info by contacting the repeater owner directly.

Good luck!

I hope this helps. 73!

 

[alcahuete]

Also, your TX Permit should not be Always. That will allow you to key up over people who are already talking. It should be Color Code Free, or whatever it's called in the radio. That has nothing to do with the problem you're having, just wanted to mention it.

 

[Flytoday]

Thank you all for the suggestions. Seems that I am on the edge of DMR repeater coverage. I have added Talkgroups to my Receive Group List and accept the Color Code Free option. Also working with my Elmer to borrow an adapter and connect a better antenna.

I was successful once to have another repeater show me as Last Call after I broadcast my callsign via voice. We are also considering him Exporting his codeplug and I Import that codeplug to experimentally write it to my 878.

Looking at a number of repeaters around Houston, I'm not seeing Parrot or Disconnect listed in any of their TalkGroup lists. Are they always there, or rare, or only available when using a Hotspot?

 

[chief21]

Looks like your receive group is empty, also not shown are your contacts so we do not know if you have them programmed in correctly. The TG for WW needs to be in contacts and Receive Group List.

Unlike some other DMR radios, the AnyTone models do not require TG's to be in the Receive Group list.