Kenwood NX mobile DMR Roaming / MotoTRBO IPSC

[ndejohn]

Hello all,

Happy 4th!

This may be posted elsewhere, but I can not find it. I am looking for some help in programming DMR Roaming in the NX line, particularly the mobile. I am and have always been a Motorola guy, so I am familiar with how IPSC is done on the Motorola side, but I can not figure out how to do roaming lists and things of that nature. I am more of a see-it-done, and then I can duplicate it in my radio, if you catch my drift.

So, if someone has a template that they wouldn't mind sharing that will show me a 2-site or more DMR Roaming system, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[kd4efm]

Hey Nick, did you get it to work like we talked? I know you still wanted to see it for comparison, I just don't have any other than NXDN like we talked over the phone.

 

[ndejohn]

Hey Nick, did you get it to work like we talked? I know you still wanted to see it for comparison, I just don't have any other than NXDN like we talked over the phone.

To recap,

I have a System set up for DMR Roaming, and I have named it with the respective agency name. (ex, ABC Public Works)

Next, I have a Personality in this same zone for each of the departments under this agency (ex, PW, Water, Parks, and then I have PW Roam, Water Roam, Parks Roam, etc. - this covers both talk paths of the DMR Repeater)

I guess where I get confused from Motorola to Kenwood is Motorola has roam lists, where you program the Group Calls (PW and PW Roam), and then you set the Personality to look at that specific list for PW. Do I do the same in Kenwood? Do I create a Group Call List for Each department with the main and roaming group call ID?

 

[ndejohn]

Hey Nick, did you get it to work like we talked? I know you still wanted to see it for comparison, I just don't have any other than NXDN like we talked over the phone.

So, I had it working once before, but I think it was only single site, not roaming between both sites. Then I deleted the whole zone, by choice. So, now I am trying to get it back it, but the right way. That is why I figured I would put it on here to see if anyone had anything they would be willing to share.

 

[otobmark]

Roam 101:
-Channels set up to initiate Roam cannot be scanned or put in a scan list. Roaming is exclusive and cannot be combined with scanning.
-Each System (Type DMR Site Roam) is intended to follow the same simultaneous traffic across multiple sites, usually but not necessarily using same TG. NOT intended to service multiple traffic groups (Water, PW etc) in the same Roam System. Parks will need it's own Roam System, Water another and so on and you cannot scan between them. Typically each contained personality has it's specific frequency and color code and the TS and TG of the “traffic” being roamed (most of the time same TS & TG).
-The sites are not voted, and radio will only search for another site when it looses current site or signal goes below set threshold. If radio has been silent for awhile and you initiate a transmission the radio will first attempt to use last heard channel (traffic or beacon) and that failing it goes down the list trying to wake up a repeater/site.
-Nothing limits the configuration of the personalities in the DMR Site Roam system and you could use any combination of CC, TS (maybe Auto), TG or even receive TG lists. The results might be entertaining but probably not practical. You could use Auto slot and receive lists and the radio would land on first TG in list it hears and if set for talkback you could answer back if you’re fast. A total radio nerd might be able to work it but most mortals would be defeated by it.
-Main advantage of Roaming over scanning is the ability to initiate a call while letting radio find usable site. If a relatively short beaconing is set up it works pretty well. If radio has not heard anything in awhile, then it goes down the list of all personalities in the system trying to wake up a repeater which can take a few seconds (keep PTT pressed). I can use scanning and talkback to monitor/use multiple sites but it’s painful and easy to loose the TG mid conversation.

 

[kd4efm]

Got with Nick this morning and ironed out the end results over the phone with him. Just waiting to see the finished codeplug to validate it for him.