In the August issue of the Spectrum Monitor magazine (https://www.thespectrummonitor.com/), I wrote a beginners article titled, Talking to the World via Amateur Radio Digital Voice. Page constraints didn't allow for the Internet resource guide I prepared to run with the article. So Ken Reitz and I decided to post it here on the official Teak Publishing blog - The Btown Monitoring Post.
The description of that article as it appears in the TSM August 2021 issue follows: "Looking for a way to keep in touch with your ham friends wherever they are in the world, despite dismal propagation conditions? So was Larry. That’s when he discovered the world of VHF/UHF digital voice. In this introductory feature, Larry explains the technology and equipment used in digital voice and how you can take advantage of this low-cost, highly portable method of amateur radio communications."
As a service to our readers in TSM and to those of you interested in Ham Radio Digital Voice modes and communications, here is a list of my favorite digital voice resources list of material on the Internet.
TSM Ham Digital Voice Resource List
● Books
From the ARRL website (http://www.arrl.org): ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications 2021, ARRL Operating Manual, 12th Edition, and ARRL Radios to Go
From Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com): Amateur Radio Digital & Voice Emergency Communications (Jun 2017)
From Nifty Accessories: Nifty E-Z Guide to D-STAR Operation https://www.niftyaccessories.com/D-STAR_book.php
● Books and Equipment
Bridgecom (DMR equipment dealer) and video learning resources https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/
Ham Radio Outlet https://www.hamradio.com/
● Online Digital Voice Resources
• General Digital Voice Online Resources
Charlotte Digital Radio group: Website (The Superstars of Digital and great website) https://www.charlottedstar.org/
Comparison of Amateur Radio Digital Voice Systems (Charlotte Digital radio Group): PDF. I highly recommend downloading this PD. Very useful to understanding digital voice. https://tinyurl.com/fvf2jpap
Digital Voice Modes Forum (2017 Green County Hamfest): Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2Cj6pGkdts
DMR and Digital Modes (K7ID 2017): PDF https://tinyurl.com/p644mvpc
Ham Radio Digital Voice Modes Comparison – DMR, D-STAR or YSF? P25 or NXDN? Video https://tinyurl.com/ea4jj8e7
Intro to Digital Voice Modes (2019 By Bay-Net.org): PDF https://tinyurl.com/ydjz2whx
Introduction to Digital Voice Modes June 2014 (RAR Club): PDF https://tinyurl.com/35f94nyh
Repeater Book https://www.repeaterbook.com
•D-STAR
Discover D-STAR from Icom: Video (bit dated but shows some basic concepts) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMMt55Dtp5Q&t=471s
D-STAR Application List http://www.dstarinfo.com/applications.aspx
D-STAR Downloads http://www.icomamerica.com/en/downloads/default.aspx?Category=308
D-STAR Info http://dstarinfo.com/
D-STAR Last Heard List https://www.dstarusers.org/lastheard.php
D-STAR Quick-Start Guide http://www.roblocher.com/whitepapers/dstar.html
D-STAR Repeater List https://www.dstarusers.org/repeaters.php
D-STAR Repeater Maps http://www.dstarinfo.com/maps-by-region.aspx
D-STAR Reflector List http://www.dstarinfo.com/reflectors.aspx
D-STAR Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-STAR
Kenwood TH-D74 A/A Operating Tips (APRS/D-Star): PDF https://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/pdf/TH-D74AE_IDM.pdf
What is D-STAR? Website (Good starter page and terminology overview) https://icomuk.co.uk/What-is-D-STAR
Yaesu website https://www.yaesu.com/
Yaesu System Fusion (April 2014): Website https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcF-kOejPjg
Amateur Radio Guide to Digital Mobile Radio, 2nd Ed (May 2019) http://guide.k4usd.org/
Beginners Quick Guide – Basics of DMR (May 2021): Website https://www.radioddity.com/blogs/all/beginners-quick-guide-the-basics-of-dmr-digital-mobile-radio
Brandmeister Hoseline https://hose.brandmeister.network/#/
Brandmeister Talk Network https://brandmeister.network/#
Brandmeister Talkgroup Table, 1st Coast DMR website https://tinyurl.com/56rm8mme
DMR Article by KN4SWB https://scheart.us/dmr-article-by-matthew-littleton-kn4swb/
DMR Basics KB5RAB Oct 2016, 1st Coast DMR website: PDF https://tinyurl.com/28pc9j23
DMR For Dummies https://www.dmrfordummies.com/
DMR-MARC https://dmr-marc.net/
Miklor DMR – The Very Basics: PDF https://www.miklor.com/DMR/ppt/DMR-BasicTutorial.pdf
Radio DMR ID (Where you register your call sign to get a DMR ID for your radio) https://www.radioid.net
• Other Digital Modes
APCO Project 25 Radio Reference Wiki Page https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/APCO_Project_25
Connecticut NXDN Amateur Radio Network: Website https://ctnxdn.wordpress.com/what-is-nxdn-all-about/
NXDNInfo.com: Website http://www.nxdninfo.com/
NXDN Radio Reference Wiki Page https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/NXDN
TETRA Radio Reference Wiki Page https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/TETRA
West Central Florida Group (NI4CE NXDN Regional Link System): Website https://ni4ce.org/nxdn-digital-communications/
• Hints, Tricks and Tips
Bridgecom (DMR equipment dealer) and video learning
resources. This is a DMR resource that I have singled out is a great company to do business with and learn from. My ham friend Mac KF4LMT recommended this company to me and I purchased my Anytone AT-878uvii Plus DMR HT from them, I have been very pleased with their product and especially their after sales support. Their Bridgecom University really helped me dive into and understand the world of DMR. https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/Don Arnold W6GPS YouTube Channel: Video Don is the superstar of the Kenwood D-74 world. He is also just an all-around nice guy and really knows his stuff. When I had a D-STAR question, Don very graciously picked up the phone and helped me get the answers. His videos are great if you are trying to get your Kenwood D-74 up and running. https://www.youtube.com/user/w6gps
Ham Radio 2.0 News-Reviews-How-To YouTube Channel: Video. If you are looking for some good stuff, I have always found it on Jason's Ham Radio 2.0 YouTube channel. Jason can make the hard easy and occasionally I get a good chuckle or two. Nice work KC5HWB. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKpVMjRE0m60lKCBWhIlo0A
K9WLW Radio YouTube Channel: Video This YouTube channel is truly a hidden gem for the ham on YT if you are interested in some digital tips and tricks for hotspots, D-STAR, DMR and more. I'm still using it to learn various aspects of the digital voice world. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2zfYLYQR-UbyRU0LCERRgQ
• DV Dongles, DVAPs, and Hotspots
Comparison of Amateur Radio Digital Hotspots: PDF https://tinyurl.com/94mjfeube
Dongles and Hotspots (Charlotte Digital Radio Group 2017): PDF https://charlottedstar.org/Hotspots%20Charlotte%202017.pdf
Ham Openspot3 Reviews https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=14507
How to Set Up Amateur Radio Digital Voice Hotspot With Pi-Star and MMDVM https://dzone.com/articles/how-to-set-up-amateur-radio-digital-voice-hotspot
Openspot3 Review https://radioamateur.us/openspot-3-review/
Pi-Star Setup and Notes https://amateurradionotes.com/pi-star.htm
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