Really looking forward to this series. I am with you 100% on the Use Case. Been sitting on two 878UVII+ radios for awhile. Not much about them is intuitive in terms of digital programming for radio to radio or APRS. Thanks for your content. Always good 👍
I think you'll enjoy the next video. I personally set for myself very small objectives when going about programming it. I found BridgeCom Systems' RUclips videos on each topic very useful. For example, these were some of the questions that I attempted to tackle and answer when I first explored programming my D878 UVII Plus. 1. How do I unlock the keypad? 2. Where do I obtain the programming software? 3. How do I obtain a DMR ID? (it turns outs I did not need one since I am not connecting mine to the Internet). 4. How do I program an analog frequency for simplex use? 5. How do I program an analog repeater? 6. How do I configure APRS? .... 20. How do I program a digital simplex channel? ... As part of the process, I also asked myself.. 1. What is a codeplug? 2. What is a zone? 2. What is color code? 4. What is time slot? .... I'll walk you and the community through all these answers in the next two videos. Don't worry, I'll use plain English.
I bought a couple basic DMR radios a couple years ago and they are still sitting in the box as most of the videos I've seen on how they work and how to program them were done by Amateur Extra Class hams who were more interested in showing how smart they are rather than breaking DMR down in simple terms. Can't wait to see the series you do as you've really demystified a lot of the other radio methods/platforms for us Technician Class hams can understand.
this is the best explanation I've ever seen of my frustration with DMR. I am currently a technician studying for general and I have no idea how DMR works because every time I find a video on it it's like you said, it's mostly people who just trying to show how smart they are rather than trying to teach you anything
THIS. Gaston is the anti-Gatekeeper IMHO. Context. Philosophy of Use. Decision Criteria. Alternative Evaluation. Alternative Selection. Optimise later. That’s how all successful projects and procurements are executed.
I got into radios 24 years ago and just now getting back into it. I always remembered the "Hams" as being "suit and tie" radio geeks. They're absolutely still like that I'm recognizing.
I'm a retired military comms guy...i have maintained and operated the most advanced encrypted commo systems in the U.S gov. I now find myself getting into HAM and DMR for the exact same reasons you stated in this video. Funny enough, with all my training and experience, the world of DMR is a whole different beast. Consider me subbed. I'm in for the ride!
I'm a new ham and definitely not interested in becoming one of the ham nerds that make up about 90% of the hams out there. Thank you so much for being the only one out there really putting ham in the context of prepping.
I just picked up a xpr6550 on ebay today. Ive been looking for a step up from the uv-5r. Your videos will be very helpful. Im hoping to build up from here. Useful knowledge and skills for preparation and not just as a hobby. Im looking forward to this series, thank you in advance
I am looking forward the rest of this series. I have seen the GMRS HTs that have texting and location sharing features? I think they could be a really good addition to a prepper groups communication plan.
One thing going for the AnyTone 878xxx series is the *insane* battery life when compared to most other ham HTs. Otherwise tons of pros and cons regarding DMR, System Fusion, D-STAR, analog, environment, etc. All depends on the particular use-case. Might also want to touch on the use of Ed Fong rollup antennas to massively extend the range of HTs, especially if you're not depending on repeaters.
That Anytone may surprise you with regard to "ruggedness". My friend "drop-tested" his from 45 feet up a tower. The Anytone hit the tower once or twice on the way down, and when it hit the ground, the battery was dislodged, but when he put it back together, it was good to go. One non-hamster feature of DMR that attracts me is control what radios (by device identity number) can communicate with each other. This is the opposite of the promiscuous mode that amateurs like to use, and is in effect a closed talk group. The AES256 is available for implementation during WROL situations. Also, regarding the prohibition on encryption on amateur frequencies-I cannot see a legitimate reason for that rule. No one is harmed by not being able to understand an encrypted message, with the possible exception of the sender if he is seeking emergency assistance and no one can understand him. This would also occur if I were speaking Norwegian or Klingon while requesting assistance.
The purpose of the Amateur Radio Service, per the FCC, is to advance the art and science of radio communication. It's meant to reach a wide audience, not to be someone's private chat line: there are other services for that, just as there are for broadcasting music (which also is prohibited on ham radio).
@@darylnd show me on the doll where the new technology hurt you. Pretty sure the tech prepper is reaching a wide audience via amateur radio content this platform. Also finding a way to avoid the traditional rag chewing content or misuse of the bands that the low cost radios have been causing, DMR is a great option. If I’m doing a contest, or activating a POTA/SOTA. I’d rather not have someone interfering with me. But since I’m not reaching that larger audience maybe I’m a “bad ham”. DMR also allows you to get out in the world with things like hot spots, if that so tickles your pickle. You have use of the bands as you see fit as long as you follow the rules. So if Im camping and decide to use DMR simplex with my buddies who are also licensed and nobody else is being interfered with, that is totally fine that I don’t want to “reach a larger audience” Get off your cross sir, we need the wood. He also said he is getting his commercial allocations for using encryption. So maybe you didn’t watch the full video. 🤷♂️
@@darylndThe FCC can shove it. The First Amendment very clearly establishes my Right to Free Speech and if I feel that Free Speech should be encrypted, so be it.
Good on you for not going on the hamster wheel of DMR. I'm going down the same route and figuring things out as I go with my btech. Thanks again, as always, for the content, brother. 🤙🏽
I have licensed VHF and UHF frequencies for nationwide and 120 km local coverage and have authorization for 13 different types of emissions. We use DMR with full digital encryption most of the time and the system works much better than any hamster system.
I can not for the life of me find a good video about getting a FCC license for a business. I am looking to do the same things but can not find the steps to do so.
The process was pretty painless. It's the topic of a future video. It required a little bit of money, but not bad when you consider that your license is good for 10 years and that you can legally run encryption now.
You've got my interest. I've always avoided DMR because the networking/repeater use seems to me like a glorified Skype-Walkie-Talkie. I never considered simplex use.
I just want to make sure we're clear, you don't NEED networking or repeaters for dmr. That's some nonsense the Feng gang was pushing to scare folks away from quality comms
You're dead on. I actually switched to handing out inexpensive MURS radios from Retevis with no front panel and 5-channels. You can get upwards of 5 units per $100 USD. Simple is what I want for the neighbors.
Looking forward to seeing and hearing your thoughts and plans. Ive been using Kenwood 863g, Motorola xpr 5580e and Anytone 878 for both digital and analog comms. Started out with the Anytone 878 for amateur radio and the Kenwood/Motorola for GMRS.
It's great to hear that you're looking forward to the roadmap. I'm new to the Motorola radios, so I had to lookup the XPR5580e. That looks like the 800/900 MHz. The MOTOTRBO working that I am doing applies to that radio! I hope to catch you on Monday's member stream as we'll dive more into this.
@@TheTechPrepper That Motorola is in the 900mhz band and can operate on 33cm ham. I'm also new to Motorola so there's a lot to learn. As an FYI I also have a "new to me" used Motorola GR1225 UHF (444-474 MHz) Repeater that I picked up at a ham radio swap meet so I've dived into the Motorola deep end. It's sink or swim, lol.
DMR isnt terrible to get into but its def a learning curve coming from Analog and P25 (ASTRO/ASTRO25). The biggest things is have the Digital Contacts and then Color Codes and Time Slots
Making the jump from analog to digital is not too bad if you understand the basics concepts that you described. There's also a simple logical approach to configuring the radio in the customer programming software. I'll cover this in the next video. It will be from the perspective of someone how just went through this initial learning process. Thanks.
Love my anytome 878 yes you can do encrypted but you messages are not now using a Motorola xts 2500 or 5000 you can do encryption on your business aes 256 no issues and messages can be sent as well on encrypted channel p25 is your most secure way to go. Yes any newer p25 scanner will be able to pick up p25 and dmr dmr can be unencrypted very easy with sdr software. Even tho it’s supposed to be aes 256 anytome that will work with mototurbo
The SE Texas Amateur Club did a Boy Scout Jamboree/,Merit Badge GOTA station in Houston. Somebody brought an AT handi, DMR hotspot, HS battery, and a cell. Was able to connect with Scouts world wide with his station. Never saw a HS station in operation. Impressed. The MOTO radio. Guess it is OK. And long in the tooth. Can you get the thing fixed? Or they've like Sherman tanks?
I have the 878uv and 878uvII. Encryption works on both. You have to update both the firmware and baseband on the UV I and the firmware if using UV II. It is not difficult.
Motorola DTR radios use 900 ISM bands license free. They use digital voice and text with public channels similar to FRS/GMRS. Also private & group calls with encryption. All transmissions use Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS). Easy to program in CPS, rugged , cheap and easy to repair. No SDR nor base/mobile can decode these modulations.
Nope. Decoding digital frequency hopping with encoded private groups for voice or text is next to impossible without the algorithms and long term monitoring
Can you explain what you mean by broken implementation of AES-256? Mine interoperate with my Motorola and Hytera radios without issue using encryption. This is the first I'm hearing of this issue with using these all for a few years. Modern Motorola radios are dam near impossible to get AES enablement on them. It took me a long time to get that. How did you get it easily?
The current 3.01N firmware for the D878 UV II Plus uses a hardcoded value for initialization vector (IV). If you sniff enough cipher traffic, you can determine the plain text without needing the key. This is beyond most user's ability, but it is, in fact, insecure and broken, IMHO. I'm also very new to DMR and Motorola, but I'm fortunate that I'm on vacation and have been able to dedicate a lot of time to learning DMR. It also helps that I'm a software engineer, so I don't mind a bit reverse engineering and reading specs to figure this stuff out.
@@TheTechPrepper the current firmware should be 3.02. Just like old WEP with the IV issue I suppose. I wonder if it is fixed. There were some other dumb issues with using AES and the sub channel being on causing all kinds of transmission issues and delays in transmit. I disable sub channel when using AES because of it. I mostly run the Hytera for better support and easy AES use without issues. Moto really sucks for anything other than large gov users.
@@jhalscott Thanks for the additional details. Wait until you see what I built using ARS, LRRP and TMS for the MotoTRBO radios. It may change your mind.
@@TheTechPrepper I want to believe, but Motorola is super difficult to use for the consumer, or even most businesses, which is why we primarily use Hytera. It took me years to build a system where I could actually get proper support and software etc. from Moto. The future is open protocols layered on top of SDRs which is why Anytone and it's various OEM variants for Radioddity, BFTech, etc. are rapidly growing. Motorola is good for centrally setting up large gov services, but overly complex and difficult for the 99% plus of this community. T-Rex Arms had a series of DMR and radio videos and they essentially abandoned Moto for the same reasons.
Would investing in some Baofeng DM-5R’s still count as a good break from the prepper thuggery? They’re a combo of Radioddity guts with Baofeng function. Would love to know your thoughts! This was actually a newbie option I looked into this week prior to this video, so great timing!!
There were a few points I think Gaston was making that fall under this label, but one of them was the fact that a relatively large number of people have been able to acquire analog radios that operate in the GMRS, FRS, MURS, and Ham bands. With this fact, his point was that achieving obscurity from these people is possible by using a digital mode which is far less common. So its not about who makes the radio internals in this case, but is instead about the mode of operation being a less common mode - in his case DMR simplex. The Baofeng DM-5r could fit into this category, since it supports a digital mode. However, if you dig deeper there are multiple reasons to avoid this particular radio. A Baofeng DM-1701 would be a better choice at $100, but the used Motorola 6550 shown at $120 would be a vastly better choice for the use case described.
If you ever need any software or a code plug to go by with either p25 or anytone. Code plug. Also if you have your ham license while your able to by a hot spot and use dmr learn dmr world i listen to isrealas well as Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, and Russia, even though I cannot speak the language, I use my phone to do the translation, and it is very interesting what you will hear on the Russian DMR
New subscriber here. I got my license in 2011, but simply dropped out of the hobby because of elderly parents and sibling. I have now reentered mainly because of the state of the world and wanting to be prepared in an area, communication and computers, that I feel I can add some value in case things go south. So, I am enjoying your sites and have watched many. I have a FT857D that I bought in 2011 for all the reasons that you have shared. I have an F60R simply because it is a tank and I can't break it. I am in the process of putting together a manpack and hope to be back operational in the near future. I do have one question. In case of and EMP or GMD, how could we protect our gear from being fried. Or, is that really a scenario that we need to be concerned with. I could build a faraday room, but it seems that would be a difficult proposition continuously deal with. I could also buy multiple radios, but that tends to be an expensive proposition. Since you are doing a lot of research and testing in the off grid communication, I would like to have your opinion. Thanks, Keith Finch
Welcome back, Kieth. This topic likely requires a video. There are a couple of EMPs scenarios. The recent solar storm, even at G5, turned out to be non issue as it only really impacts infrastructure with long running wires or metal that acts as electrical inductors. This includes long electrical lines, transmission lines, pipelines and railroads. As a precaution, I just disconnected my radios from the antenna and the electrical AC main. My understanding is that the grid operators are the ones that need to handle these events, but downstream users, like us, are only likely to experience secondary impacts like a powe outage. As for an EMP caused by a low altitude nuclear blast, that is a different story. I tend to be a realist and don't go overboard. Here's what I do: 1. I reserve my older radio gear, electronics, solar charge controllers, and batteries with a BMS as candidates for EMP protection. I call this my tier two gear. 2. I remove anything that can act as an inductor like the HT antennas and remove them. I also remove the battery. 3. These components go into individual EMP bags. 4. Lastly, I put all of those into a larger EMP duffle bag. It's not perfect, but according to the literature it should be effective. There's just not enough juice for the squeeze to build a giant Faraday cage. Take a look at the empdoctor on RUclips. I plan on trying some Faraday fabric for protecting the generators. Doing this on the vehicles is too much of a daily headache. I hope this helps.
yea the anytone costs to much ,,,so i went with the Retevis RB25 ,,,,,,no screen but its only $40 and is 10watts ,,,, and digital mode NBRE < retevis own DMR version !!! ,, so to listen u would need the same radio , talke group and code,, and it even has encryption ,,,,,,so someone would need an SDR ,,, that can some how work out the digital signal with out a plugin and then decrypt it LOL , so for the price of an anytone i got like 5 radios with better encryption and get 3-5 miles more distance
I Houston, I would say DMR is in second place in digi to VARA FM. But fitst as a voice mode. Other sustems like Icom and Yeasu DV are de facto dead in the H-Town area.
I have been following your channel for a while now. I am interested very interested in the path you are on, especially now. I want all the same functionality for the same reasons. I would like to join your buy me a coffee crew so we can talk in more depth. Basically I want to run the same quality gear as if I was still in the Marines but with a business license so I can access this restricted equipment in order to protect my family and community. I live in a small town and would like to strengthen our community through building a strong SHTF plan. We have very highly trained police but only a handful of them and a volunteer fire department. My goal is to augment these services by adding the ability to train likeminded and capable people on the community so we can effectively deal with the shit that is inevitably coming down the line. Look forward to learning more from you and see you for a cup of coffee soon! Maybe we can have a cup over zoom or whatever video chat for a proper intro. BTW I also just signed up for classes in Cybersecurity at Champlain College so as to make sure I can be as proactive as possible for what may come. Looking forward to speaking with you! - JC - OUT
My personal issue with upgrading my Feng Gang radio is that none of my buddies are willing to train skills with cheap radios. I'm convinced they will not use better radios either.
12:23 please talk about your business license, im actually studying security management in grad school (am broke because of it lol), but ive considered eventually starting a security company and having it use the 878 (ive had 2x for years) Basically for an ERT, ive seen downright stupid practices by companies on linkedin including companies posting pictures of their UV5Rs and calling themselves security professionals who are communications experts lol id prefer to not make similar mistakes
Great video. Do you have or have made any videos on which Panasonic toughbook you recommend and why? I recently bought a hotspot and enjoying DMR. Do you have a DMR repeater in your area thats on Brandmeister? Would be cool if we could connect and talk. I'm up here in Vancouver BC.....73s VA7LFD
Yes. Here's the video that you are looking for: Panasonic FZ-M1 Toughpad - SHTF Gear Series ruclips.net/video/J3Rn-mCMfU0/видео.html However, I'm now also running the iKey keyboard with it. An update video is needed.
5:20 -- just when you finish talking about how you're trying to reduce the risk of monitoring by the wider audience by using obscurity, you then go and choose the most ubiquitous digital mode. So within the digimode world, you have the widest possible audience of eavesdroppers. If you really cared about being niche, you'd choose DSTAR, because it's most prohibitively expensive in an HT.
Yes, DStar is more obscure, but there is no support for encryption. Also, there are some very powerful features in Motorola DMR implementation. I'm moving towards the MotoTRBO line.
I’m not familiar with business licensing and would like to hear about it in detail. Does one have to have a registered business to actually qualify? My assumption is that these “legal” inscription capabilities are still vulnerable to state actors otherwise they would not allow the public to have access.
Love your videos, just out of interrst do you guys have access to Tetra over in your neck of the woods ?, a couple of fellow colleagues & I are running both DMR & Tetra for the very same reasons that you are ( for securitt for when / if things goes south ). We've made a map up that we all have a copy of that we have drawn Grids Squares onto & have given thoes grids squares non recognizable names so that if things go to hell in a hand basket we can revert to either DMR & / or Tetra & refer to map locations as the grid square non recognizable names. We all come from "Operational" backgrounds so Tx's will be kept to a bare minimum with no names used over the air, ww have even developed a rehashed alphabet & numeric table so as to be able to give out phn No.'s & names without it making any sense to anyone else. Yes I know not quiet legal during peaceful times but in times of "National Emergency" no rules apply. Regards Wayne. P.
@@bradl2636 I would have to re-evaluate it. The rugged factor is huge for me, so it pains me that I sold it. Unfortunately, for this year, I have decided to stick with the gear that I have, so I will not have time re-evaluate it. I already made a very large investment in time and money on the 878.
@@TheTechPrepper I’m only recently aware of the Ailunce and 878 so will follow your journey. The Ailunce seems very “Motorola-like” if that makes sense? I assume both units would be fine for private business license frequency use?
You mention a business license for operating encryption modes legally. Can you expound on that a little? I am interested and would like to know what steps I would need to take ... :) Good content thus-far. Awaiting delivery of my Anytone AT-D878UVII PLUS (best option for DMR give the price-point and what I could find so far). May upgrade to something a bit more "beefy" down the road, but will have the 878 as a starting point.
I covered this on the member live stream. The easiest path is just to contact an LMR dealer in your area and have them handle it for you for one fee and per your requirements. That's what I did as I have no time.
@@TheTechPrepperThanks! Just sub’d to your YT channel, as I’m getting back into doing HAM stuff, learning how to USE the tools to supplement my outdoors time and a business I’ve had for a few years that relies on outdoors, stealth & comms. 878 on the charger now! FW update later, then programming channels & zones (AHAM). Will have to research DMR programming (I do believe you have a video on that 😁).
5:30 - Interesting that you went with a digital voice mode to avoid the FM Baofeng army based on increased cost providing an additional barrier to entry and the security through obscurity of digital voice, but then you chose DMR because it's more of a standard. When I was choosing radios for my local group 5-6 years ago, I deliberately chose Yaesu System Fusion as the LEAST popular digital voice mode to reduce the potential eavesdroppers.
There's is a broader strategy. I don't plan on using voice. I a proof-of-concept of out-of-band AES-256 cryptography built on top of the MotoTRBO. This is just for the first video. You can't do over-the-air networking with any of the amateur radio digital protocols.
@@TheTechPrepper - I should have withheld my comment until watching the entire video series. 😀 You'd alluded to that in previous videos. Looking forward to seeing where this goes. It's been quite a journey so far, and now it's heading away from Hamster Station, and that's fine by me. It *really* bugs me that we can't have secure private communications but our government can. My town was one of the many that got the DHS block grant to upgrade their COM systems and now they're all using mil-spec spread spectrum digital encryption... including the garbage trucks.
@@Liberty4Ever No worries. I typically have a very deliberate plan with my gear selections. It's hard to cram the entire vision into one video. Stay tuned. I looked at both C4FM and DStar, but when I saw some of the LMR applications for DMR, I felt that DMR would serve both the amateur radio and commercial needs at the same time.
The Alinco Alinco DJ-MD5XLT is a better option for everyday Carry, smaller and just as capable. Moto is nice but access to the Programming Software is a pain and $$$.
u5vr is a a crappy 4.5 watts radio at best ,,,,cost 22 dollars ,,, when u can get the uv13 v2 for 16 Dollas which has way better reception and antenna with a nice 7.5 watts output , now as a guy thats tested every radio out there ,, i can say the RT86 that kicks out 10 watts and has built in scrambler ,,is by far the best long range analogue radio on a to get ,,,,,, i under stand DMR will last longer with added security, but the 10watts of it is like 70 dollas a pop !!!, and the price of a repeater ,, is shocking
@@TheTechPrepper Sweet, Thanks. I'm trying to get into radios/HAM and want to learn where I can spend the few pennies I have wisely. I greatly appreciate your videos and channel!
I don’t think it is necessary to be a ‘prepper’ to get something from your channel. I have the Anytone and found it a good radio but not as good as my yaesu FT60 and VX6 for 2m and 70cm FM ham bands. I thought it was good for DMR until I bought a Motorola DP4801e (it is called something different in the US) which cost ~$2000 AUD new. The problem with Motorola is getting the programming software and getting your head around the software. Other than that a bomb proof radio. I think skimping on the quality of your gear is not a good way to be prepared. I also work on the listen to everyone talk to no one principle but no one seems to talk about quality scanners/recievers. 73 Andrew
You can if you obtain a commercial business license through the FCC. I did that for the business. My wife is not licensed and now we run fully encrypted between us using my issued frequencies.
DMR is crap mate.. too many non standard radios all with their own version of DMR and audio levels.. It's impossible to listen too. Unless you are sticking with Moto DMR across the whole fleet.. it's a nightmare. That is why P25 is the better option
My personal plan is to purchase a fleet and program these for duty use. These will be distributed to a group and programmed for specific operations. Also, I have written a custom ARS, LRRP and TMS server that provides dispatch features from a control station. This will be shown in a future video once I make more progress. P25 and the APX line will be the next upgrade next year.
@@Jay-hr9ci I have an XTS5000, but I am not sure if it has the same IP networking features built-in. I know that the XPS line has similar networking features, but those are out of mu league.
@TheTechPrepper I think it does, but old school.. looking forward to seeing what happens.. especially with emcom tools. Big use cases for it over here in Australia mate. Even if we went xts5000 --> digirig --> mobile phone or something
These are just 90s cell phones with digital modes, so yeah partial smart phone functionality in a brick phone. Christ, comms has nothing better going on?
These are actually built like tanks (not the AnyTone, but the MotoTRBOs) and the right level of tech for effective field communication. The last thing that I want in a radio is another buggy IoT device and constant updates like we see in the smartphone market. It all comes down to the operator's needs.
@@TheTechPrepper ahhh ok that makes sense. I’m def not up to speed in this so thanks for the explanation. Do you feel this will replace UHF/VHF and HF ham frequencies for SHTF? Or is this more for small, localized group comms? I invested a lot in my ham equipment and some of the P25 radios look $$$$. Again, thanks for all you do for the community!
You talk about "thugs" like they are some low tech insurgent force. Where TF have you been for the last 20 odd years? You do realize that various national and international gangs have utilized the training that the US armed forces provides to train and strengthen their forces. Bangers are routinely entering service and getting access to training. This INCLUDES communications.
DMR is not secure communications. Under FCC regulations secure communications is not permissable on Ham Bands. Anyone with a good software defined reciever can pull your transmissions and decode the digital signal. " Baufeng Thugs" ? Jeez. So I now know that you dont respect the hobby.
I respect the hobby and believe that there is value in the Baofeng to get people into the hobby. There are much better tools for the job in my opinion. That reference to the thugs was specifically in reference to criminals in the Phoenix-Metro using Baofengs for illegal activities. I think everyone needs to loosen up a bit. There is no harm in putting information out there. My only point is that DMR offers a little more privacy compared to traditional analog radio. Lastly, I am personally moving to a business license to run encryption legally. I do so at great time and expense. So, yes, I respect the hobby and the regulations set forth by the FCC. I see each radio service as providing utility and value.
"Operational security"? Really? Ham radio is NOT a military operation! Secure comms? Really? That's how hams roll buddy! Don't like that? Go somewhere else! Baufang "thugs"? Really? Maybe you should be on a watch list.
I'm quickly transitioning away from amateur radio use and will be covering the commercial and business use for secure communication. I also opened the video by saying that this video was not targeted at hams. The gate keeping on the amateur radio side is going to kill the hobby.
@@TheTechPrepper I'm sorry that you don't see value in the hobby/service! I've been involved for around 25 years. My father has been a ham since the mid 60s as well. While I think it has its place in the comms community, it's not for everyone! I've become pretty much inactive on the bands. This is because I've encountered a LOT of stupids on air! From being rude to talking about all of their health conditions! And we're supposed to be the friendly types too! Even encountered somebody once that said "I don't talk to people on air that I haven't met first in person!" Really? Well, ok then! It's THAT kind of just absolute b.s. that has made me think MORE than once about just selling the station and going somewhere else! But then I remember that for every idiot I meet, I've met several really nice, good, folk as well. Early on,(1919) the government saw that we had value. So they let the service continue. We still do have something to offer I think. But our value is definitely dropping, as more comm modes come into being. We used to be the only game in town. Not so true anymore. We've become a victim of our own success in a way! I really don't think it's for folks that think the sky is falling either. There are now plenty of other radio systems to use! By the way, I don't recommend ham radio to people these days! If someone sees a rig or ant. and asks, I'll tell them what it's for. But that's as far as I go. Thanks for getting back to me, and for your views on things! I think stupidity, rudeness, and a lack of activity on certain bands is what will kill the hobby/service. 73 friend, kd7cjo in Wyoming
Looking forward to this series! I have a pretty basic TYT DMR radio I learned DMR on. I'm usually an RF only (no Internet for any service - maybe excepting APRS) but I've found a couple of useful "networked" DMR features I use occasionally.
Great to hear! Those are great radios to learn on as they come a great price point. The nice thing about the MOTOTRBO line is their over-the-air IP networking. The trick is going through the hoops to get the Customer Programming Software (CPS) and some cases dealing with an inflated price point for some of the accessories. Take care.
I'm definitely interested! Especially with building out your own hardware and potential repeater. I have experience with the anytone radios not living up to the product descriptions, especially with aprs. The aprs implementation they use works over DMR consistently but not analog. I have no idea how you could utilize that with your own repeater or how you could go about that, but as you said the motorola devices have the features working so I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it all! thanks!
I've only tried analog APRS and I was not impressed. The amount of programming was excessive and man it's a pain to use from the user perspective. There are some serious usability bugs especially when you use it in a high volume packet area. It's nearly unusable on of the nets that I participate in where there are 500 operators checking in during the course of the day.
Opengd77 firmware on a rt3s is supposed to be the most painless DMR setup and reasonable price under $100. Haven't tried it myself yet but it should be in the mail in a payday or 2 whenever I can't keep ignoring it 😅.
Thank you for this series. Even though both my wife and I are hams, we use 900 MHz ISM radios for short range secure comms. We use DMR and encryption. Between the unusual frequency and encryption it would be difficult for people to listen in. I do have a B-Tech DMR-6x2, so I look forward to hearing how you program your radio.
You're welcome. 900 MHz is a great option. There is a ton of 900 MHz gear on the secondary market for not a lot of money. The trick is going through process to obtain and learn the Custom Programming Software (CPS).
I just got my technician license with this exact goal in mind. So awesome to see there are like minded people in AZ. Hope I get to connect and pick your brain someday!
Motorola radios require using expensive Motorola programming software. That Anytone can be MARS-modded to work on MURS/GMRS/FRS/Dot/Marine freqs and when combined with its AES-256 encryption key capability & free programming software, a pair of them will be really useful when things go sideways in order to ensure no one is listening in.
Actually, you can legally obtain Motorola CPS free of charge now right down to the 25 KHz entitlement. All you need to do is register for an account with Motorola. The process can take a few weeks.
Looking forward to this. To echo what I said earlier: might start a "business" just to do this. If only FCC would allow this legally without owning one. I would work extra hours at work just to pay for the license or even the ability to used that 'e' word that gets some riled up.
Good luck with that. If you file all the paperwork yourself you can actually obtain the commercial license for around $500 USD. The license is good for 10 years, so you can look at it as a 50 bucks per year. The only part outside of the FCC fee is paying a frequency coordinator in your area to help you find a available frequencies in your area.
I have the Anytone 878uv2 plus, if you use AT-options you can open the frequencies to Transmit and receive 400-520 and 136-174, if you want the software also opens up the Anytone 878uv2 plus into a tri band 140-440-220 it is a tri band capable.
Been tinkering with DMR for a while. I have a small battery operated system with a Maxon MDM-4424 inside with SRF. It’s effectively a waterproof field deployable repeater with 50 watts of power. You can get a second unit with a cable to link the two so you can operate on VHF and UHF. Something worth checking out, also don’t mind traveling if you would like to field test mine.
The reason more people don’t do DMR is because basically all brands are “broken”. For some reason HAMs and HAM radio designers …as technically proficient as we’d expect them to be…just cannot get it together. For instance, I have a Yaesu FT5D (an expensive radio). It can’t do DMR because???? Ego? I think the truth is that these tech types like to keep it complicated to maintain their perceived superiority. Every time I turn a corner in this radio game there is an unnecessary obstacle.
So what exactly are you prepping for i find a lot of people really don't have a clue what they will be getting themselves into if what yhey think they are preparing for happens
If you've seen more than a few of my videos, you'll notice that I set out to solve real world problems using a methodical approach. I see many issues in modern society that have the potential to be much larger problems in the near future. I've covered these scenarios in a number of member live streams.
@@TheTechPrepper ok I will go check them out I found this video looking for info on digital radios I hope I didn't sound like a ass that was not my intention But I have found myself in several situations over the years where just finding shelter food and water took a lot of time and energy. But I see a lot of these people who want to plan for the end of the world and think they are going to sit around and talk on a radio
@@seandrake7534 It sounded like that a bit. I appreciate you clarifying. You may be interested in this reality check video where I seriously questioned the prepper dream of retreating to the woods: ruclips.net/video/XP1Z67b7D24/видео.htmlsi=JaiZjkED986AviPr
They are an absolute nightmare. Most DMR and commercial radios are frustrating to say the least if you come from an amateur radio background. The amount of software quirks and bugs is equally annoying when it comes to AnyTone.
Really looking forward to this series. I am with you 100% on the Use Case. Been sitting on two 878UVII+ radios for awhile. Not much about them is intuitive in terms of digital programming for radio to radio or APRS. Thanks for your content. Always good 👍
I think you'll enjoy the next video. I personally set for myself very small objectives when going about programming it. I found BridgeCom Systems' RUclips videos on each topic very useful. For example, these were some of the questions that I attempted to tackle and answer when I first explored programming my D878 UVII Plus.
1. How do I unlock the keypad?
2. Where do I obtain the programming software?
3. How do I obtain a DMR ID? (it turns outs I did not need one since I am not connecting mine to the Internet).
4. How do I program an analog frequency for simplex use?
5. How do I program an analog repeater?
6. How do I configure APRS?
....
20. How do I program a digital simplex channel?
...
As part of the process, I also asked myself..
1. What is a codeplug?
2. What is a zone?
2. What is color code?
4. What is time slot?
....
I'll walk you and the community through all these answers in the next two videos. Don't worry, I'll use plain English.
@@TheTechPrepper Subscribed just for this. Thank you.
@@norrinradd8952 Welcome to the channel. More on the way.
Just got my 878 yesterday, this is going to be good!
I bought a couple basic DMR radios a couple years ago and they are still sitting in the box as most of the videos I've seen on how they work and how to program them were done by Amateur Extra Class hams who were more interested in showing how smart they are rather than breaking DMR down in simple terms. Can't wait to see the series you do as you've really demystified a lot of the other radio methods/platforms for us Technician Class hams can understand.
this is the best explanation I've ever seen of my frustration with DMR. I am currently a technician studying for general and I have no idea how DMR works because every time I find a video on it it's like you said, it's mostly people who just trying to show how smart they are rather than trying to teach you anything
THIS. Gaston is the anti-Gatekeeper IMHO. Context. Philosophy of Use. Decision Criteria. Alternative Evaluation. Alternative Selection. Optimise later. That’s how all successful projects and procurements are executed.
I got into radios 24 years ago and just now getting back into it. I always remembered the "Hams" as being "suit and tie" radio geeks. They're absolutely still like that I'm recognizing.
@@TheRealWadeWIts a sub-culture.
Thats all there is to it
@orpheusepiphanes2797 no doubt! No biggie. I got back into radios from a preparedness aspect and I'll call em if I need em lol
I'm a retired military comms guy...i have maintained and operated the most advanced encrypted commo systems in the U.S gov. I now find myself getting into HAM and DMR for the exact same reasons you stated in this video. Funny enough, with all my training and experience, the world of DMR is a whole different beast. Consider me subbed. I'm in for the ride!
I'm a new ham and definitely not interested in becoming one of the ham nerds that make up about 90% of the hams out there. Thank you so much for being the only one out there really putting ham in the context of prepping.
This is going to be a great series!
Thanks. I'm having a blast with it, so I think you guys will enjoy it.
Awesome series. I hope you go forward with the business license how to. Thank you!
That's the plan!
I just picked up a xpr6550 on ebay today. Ive been looking for a step up from the uv-5r. Your videos will be very helpful. Im hoping to build up from here. Useful knowledge and skills for preparation and not just as a hobby. Im looking forward to this series, thank you in advance
Programming the XPR6550 is about 3 videos out.
is the motorola cps free or still have to pay for it?@@TheTechPrepper
Your always so Thorough Brother Love your Videos Super Informative 👌
I am looking forward the rest of this series. I have seen the GMRS HTs that have texting and location sharing features? I think they could be a really good addition to a prepper groups communication plan.
One thing going for the AnyTone 878xxx series is the *insane* battery life when compared to most other ham HTs. Otherwise tons of pros and cons regarding DMR, System Fusion, D-STAR, analog, environment, etc. All depends on the particular use-case. Might also want to touch on the use of Ed Fong rollup antennas to massively extend the range of HTs, especially if you're not depending on repeaters.
Looks like a great series coming up, DMR and my Anytone are still a mystery to me. Looking forward to the series!
That Anytone may surprise you with regard to "ruggedness". My friend "drop-tested" his from 45 feet up a tower. The Anytone hit the tower once or twice on the way down, and when it hit the ground, the battery was dislodged, but when he put it back together, it was good to go. One non-hamster feature of DMR that attracts me is control what radios (by device identity number) can communicate with each other. This is the opposite of the promiscuous mode that amateurs like to use, and is in effect a closed talk group. The AES256 is available for implementation during WROL situations. Also, regarding the prohibition on encryption on amateur frequencies-I cannot see a legitimate reason for that rule. No one is harmed by not being able to understand an encrypted message, with the possible exception of the sender if he is seeking emergency assistance and no one can understand him. This would also occur if I were speaking Norwegian or Klingon while requesting assistance.
Please make contacts in Klingon. 😂
The purpose of the Amateur Radio Service, per the FCC, is to advance the art and science of radio communication. It's meant to reach a wide audience, not to be someone's private chat line: there are other services for that, just as there are for broadcasting music (which also is prohibited on ham radio).
@@darylnd show me on the doll where the new technology hurt you. Pretty sure the tech prepper is reaching a wide audience via amateur radio content this platform. Also finding a way to avoid the traditional rag chewing content or misuse of the bands that the low cost radios have been causing, DMR is a great option. If I’m doing a contest, or activating a POTA/SOTA. I’d rather not have someone interfering with me. But since I’m not reaching that larger audience maybe I’m a “bad ham”.
DMR also allows you to get out in the world with things like hot spots, if that so tickles your pickle. You have use of the bands as you see fit as long as you follow the rules. So if Im camping and decide to use DMR simplex with my buddies who are also licensed and nobody else is being interfered with, that is totally fine that I don’t want to “reach a larger audience”
Get off your cross sir, we need the wood.
He also said he is getting his commercial allocations for using encryption. So maybe you didn’t watch the full video. 🤷♂️
@@darylndThe FCC can shove it.
The First Amendment very clearly establishes my Right to Free Speech and if I feel that Free Speech should be encrypted, so be it.
@@rifleshooterchannel208I like the cut of your jib.
Good on you for not going on the hamster wheel of DMR. I'm going down the same route and figuring things out as I go with my btech. Thanks again, as always, for the content, brother. 🤙🏽
I have licensed VHF and UHF frequencies for nationwide and 120 km local coverage and have authorization for 13 different types of emissions. We use DMR with full digital encryption most of the time and the system works much better than any hamster system.
This is exactly how you do it. Nice work.
I can not for the life of me find a good video about getting a FCC license for a business. I am looking to do the same things but can not find the steps to do so.
The process was pretty painless. It's the topic of a future video. It required a little bit of money, but not bad when you consider that your license is good for 10 years and that you can legally run encryption now.
@@TheTechPrepper that would be awesome to see that video be made. I want to get that setup asap.
Why would you want to do that ?
@@goosecouple why wouldn't i?
@@goosecouplelegally running encrypted comms.
I subscribed. I am looking forward to this series. Love the content. Keep up the good work. 73
You've got my interest.
I've always avoided DMR because the networking/repeater use seems to me like a glorified Skype-Walkie-Talkie. I never considered simplex use.
It can all be done without internet,it is cheaper and easier with it.
Excellent. I'm really enjoying the utility for local simplex. I have no intention of getting a hotspot and connecting it to the Internet. Stay tuned!
I just want to make sure we're clear, you don't NEED networking or repeaters for dmr. That's some nonsense the Feng gang was pushing to scare folks away from quality comms
Yeah id imagine a digirig works for many radios
Boofwangs are for handing out to the neighbors. The Motorolas go to the Boys and the family.
XTS, XPR, and the Holy Grail APX
That's what I have mine for (and barter.) It's the only reason why I pick up a pair every once in awhile along with extra antennas for it.
You're dead on. I actually switched to handing out inexpensive MURS radios from Retevis with no front panel and 5-channels. You can get upwards of 5 units per $100 USD. Simple is what I want for the neighbors.
Looking forward to seeing and hearing your thoughts and plans. Ive been using Kenwood 863g, Motorola xpr 5580e and Anytone 878 for both digital and analog comms. Started out with the Anytone 878 for amateur radio and the Kenwood/Motorola for GMRS.
It's great to hear that you're looking forward to the roadmap. I'm new to the Motorola radios, so I had to lookup the XPR5580e. That looks like the 800/900 MHz. The MOTOTRBO working that I am doing applies to that radio! I hope to catch you on Monday's member stream as we'll dive more into this.
@@TheTechPrepper That Motorola is in the 900mhz band and can operate on 33cm ham. I'm also new to Motorola so there's a lot to learn. As an FYI I also have a "new to me" used Motorola GR1225 UHF (444-474 MHz) Repeater that I picked up at a ham radio swap meet so I've dived into the Motorola deep end. It's sink or swim, lol.
@@czmg22 It can feel that way. I'm all for swimming. While the barrier to entry into Motorola is high, it's worth the pain. Happy Friday.
Surely for prepping you would need the largest audience possible.
The largest safe and loyal audience possible I think… ?
So enjoy what you are doing. Very interesting stuff.
Glad you enjoy it!
Hope you knock these series out fast with todays climate...
DMR isnt terrible to get into but its def a learning curve coming from Analog and P25 (ASTRO/ASTRO25). The biggest things is have the Digital Contacts and then Color Codes and Time Slots
Making the jump from analog to digital is not too bad if you understand the basics concepts that you described. There's also a simple logical approach to configuring the radio in the customer programming software. I'll cover this in the next video. It will be from the perspective of someone how just went through this initial learning process. Thanks.
looking forward to this series! Always thought digital was the way to go, I have a Motorola 900x hoping I can use it for a test case.
Hope you enjoy it! I've jumped to really advanced bits on Motorola side. I can't wait to share it.
Love my anytome 878 yes you can do encrypted but you messages are not now using a Motorola xts 2500 or 5000 you can do encryption on your business aes 256 no issues and messages can be sent as well on encrypted channel p25 is your most secure way to go. Yes any newer p25 scanner will be able to pick up p25 and dmr dmr can be unencrypted very easy with sdr software. Even tho it’s supposed to be aes 256 anytome that will work with mototurbo
The SE Texas Amateur Club did a Boy Scout Jamboree/,Merit Badge GOTA station in Houston.
Somebody brought an AT handi, DMR hotspot, HS battery, and a cell. Was able to connect with Scouts world wide with his station. Never saw a HS station in operation. Impressed.
The MOTO radio. Guess it is OK. And long in the tooth. Can you get the thing fixed? Or they've like Sherman tanks?
I have DMR then i went to 900 p25 Digital much more private.. using Motorola 1500 hand held.
I have the 878uv and 878uvII. Encryption works on both. You have to update both the firmware and baseband on the UV I and the firmware if using UV II. It is not difficult.
Motorola DTR radios use 900 ISM bands license free.
They use digital voice and text with public channels similar to FRS/GMRS. Also private & group calls with encryption.
All transmissions use Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS). Easy to program in CPS, rugged , cheap and easy to repair.
No SDR nor base/mobile can decode these modulations.
Can you point to online resources to do further discovery on this option?
I think it's a simple chip install/swap to decode those transmissions? Am I correct?
Nope. Decoding digital frequency hopping with encoded private groups for voice or text is next to impossible without the algorithms and long term monitoring
@egillis214 but is it hardware or software that encrypts the digital voice? I'm pretty sure it's both that work in conjunction with each other.
Can you explain what you mean by broken implementation of AES-256? Mine interoperate with my Motorola and Hytera radios without issue using encryption. This is the first I'm hearing of this issue with using these all for a few years. Modern Motorola radios are dam near impossible to get AES enablement on them. It took me a long time to get that. How did you get it easily?
The current 3.01N firmware for the D878 UV II Plus uses a hardcoded value for initialization vector (IV). If you sniff enough cipher traffic, you can determine the plain text without needing the key. This is beyond most user's ability, but it is, in fact, insecure and broken, IMHO. I'm also very new to DMR and Motorola, but I'm fortunate that I'm on vacation and have been able to dedicate a lot of time to learning DMR. It also helps that I'm a software engineer, so I don't mind a bit reverse engineering and reading specs to figure this stuff out.
@@TheTechPrepper the current firmware should be 3.02. Just like old WEP with the IV issue I suppose. I wonder if it is fixed. There were some other dumb issues with using AES and the sub channel being on causing all kinds of transmission issues and delays in transmit. I disable sub channel when using AES because of it. I mostly run the Hytera for better support and easy AES use without issues. Moto really sucks for anything other than large gov users.
@@jhalscott Thanks for the additional details. Wait until you see what I built using ARS, LRRP and TMS for the MotoTRBO radios. It may change your mind.
@@TheTechPrepper I want to believe, but Motorola is super difficult to use for the consumer, or even most businesses, which is why we primarily use Hytera. It took me years to build a system where I could actually get proper support and software etc. from Moto. The future is open protocols layered on top of SDRs which is why Anytone and it's various OEM variants for Radioddity, BFTech, etc. are rapidly growing. Motorola is good for centrally setting up large gov services, but overly complex and difficult for the 99% plus of this community. T-Rex Arms had a series of DMR and radio videos and they essentially abandoned Moto for the same reasons.
Would investing in some Baofeng DM-5R’s still count as a good break from the prepper thuggery? They’re a combo of Radioddity guts with Baofeng function.
Would love to know your thoughts! This was actually a newbie option I looked into this week prior to this video, so great timing!!
There were a few points I think Gaston was making that fall under this label, but one of them was the fact that a relatively large number of people have been able to acquire analog radios that operate in the GMRS, FRS, MURS, and Ham bands. With this fact, his point was that achieving obscurity from these people is possible by using a digital mode which is far less common. So its not about who makes the radio internals in this case, but is instead about the mode of operation being a less common mode - in his case DMR simplex. The Baofeng DM-5r could fit into this category, since it supports a digital mode. However, if you dig deeper there are multiple reasons to avoid this particular radio. A Baofeng DM-1701 would be a better choice at $100, but the used Motorola 6550 shown at $120 would be a vastly better choice for the use case described.
If you ever need any software or a code plug to go by with either p25 or anytone. Code plug. Also if you have your ham license while your able to by a hot spot and use dmr learn dmr world i listen to isrealas well as Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, and Russia, even though I cannot speak the language, I use my phone to do the translation, and it is very interesting what you will hear on the Russian DMR
New subscriber here. I got my license in 2011, but simply dropped out of the hobby because of elderly parents and sibling. I have now reentered mainly because of the state of the world and wanting to be prepared in an area, communication and computers, that I feel I can add some value in case things go south. So, I am enjoying your sites and have watched many. I have a FT857D that I bought in 2011 for all the reasons that you have shared. I have an F60R simply because it is a tank and I can't break it. I am in the process of putting together a manpack and hope to be back operational in the near future. I do have one question. In case of and EMP or GMD, how could we protect our gear from being fried. Or, is that really a scenario that we need to be concerned with. I could build a faraday room, but it seems that would be a difficult proposition continuously deal with. I could also buy multiple radios, but that tends to be an expensive proposition. Since you are doing a lot of research and testing in the off grid communication, I would like to have your opinion. Thanks, Keith Finch
Welcome back, Kieth. This topic likely requires a video. There are a couple of EMPs scenarios.
The recent solar storm, even at G5, turned out to be non issue as it only really impacts infrastructure with long running wires or metal that acts as electrical inductors. This includes long electrical lines, transmission lines, pipelines and railroads. As a precaution, I just disconnected my radios from the antenna and the electrical AC main. My understanding is that the grid operators are the ones that need to handle these events, but downstream users, like us, are only likely to experience secondary impacts like a powe outage.
As for an EMP caused by a low altitude nuclear blast, that is a different story. I tend to be a realist and don't go overboard. Here's what I do:
1. I reserve my older radio gear, electronics, solar charge controllers, and batteries with a BMS as candidates for EMP protection. I call this my tier two gear.
2. I remove anything that can act as an inductor like the HT antennas and remove them. I also remove the battery.
3. These components go into individual EMP bags.
4. Lastly, I put all of those into a larger EMP duffle bag.
It's not perfect, but according to the literature it should be effective.
There's just not enough juice for the squeeze to build a giant Faraday cage.
Take a look at the empdoctor on RUclips. I plan on trying some Faraday fabric for protecting the generators. Doing this on the vehicles is too much of a daily headache.
I hope this helps.
@@TheTechPrepper Thanks for the reply. Good ideas. I will check empdoctor out. I will also continue to watch. KF5MBR
yea the anytone costs to much ,,,so i went with the Retevis RB25 ,,,,,,no screen but its only $40 and is 10watts ,,,, and digital mode NBRE < retevis own DMR version !!! ,, so to listen u would need the same radio , talke group and code,, and it even has encryption ,,,,,,so someone would need an SDR ,,, that can some how work out the digital signal with out a plugin and then decrypt it LOL , so for the price of an anytone i got like 5 radios with better encryption and get 3-5 miles more distance
I Houston, I would say DMR is in second place in digi to VARA FM. But fitst as a voice mode.
Other sustems like Icom and Yeasu DV are de facto dead in the H-Town area.
hey if the price is right I might buy it from you!
Very interested. From Australia
Cheers from across the pond!
Lmfao the Gang bangers in phoenix rocking baofengs Never seen a Gang Banger Use Any radio Bro 😂 5:00
I have been following your channel for a while now. I am interested very interested in the path you are on, especially now. I want all the same functionality for the same reasons. I would like to join your buy me a coffee crew so we can talk in more depth. Basically I want to run the same quality gear as if I was still in the Marines but with a business license so I can access this restricted equipment in order to protect my family and community. I live in a small town and would like to strengthen our community through building a strong SHTF plan. We have very highly trained police but only a handful of them and a volunteer fire department. My goal is to augment these services by adding the ability to train likeminded and capable people on the community so we can effectively deal with the shit that is inevitably coming down the line. Look forward to learning more from you and see you for a cup of coffee soon! Maybe we can have a cup over zoom or whatever video chat for a proper intro. BTW I also just signed up for classes in Cybersecurity at Champlain College so as to make sure I can be as proactive as possible for what may come. Looking forward to speaking with you! - JC - OUT
My personal issue with upgrading my Feng Gang radio is that none of my buddies are willing to train skills with cheap radios. I'm convinced they will not use better radios either.
Don't forget about nxdn. Low barrier to entry, high barrier to monitor
So can't you set a CTCSS Tone to hide when using Baofeng?
12:23 please talk about your business license, im actually studying security management in grad school (am broke because of it lol), but ive considered eventually starting a security company and having it use the 878 (ive had 2x for years)
Basically for an ERT, ive seen downright stupid practices by companies on linkedin including companies posting pictures of their UV5Rs and calling themselves security professionals who are communications experts lol id prefer to not make similar mistakes
Great video. Do you have or have made any videos on which Panasonic toughbook you recommend and why? I recently bought a hotspot and enjoying DMR. Do you have a DMR repeater in your area thats on Brandmeister? Would be cool if we could connect and talk. I'm up here in Vancouver BC.....73s VA7LFD
Yes. Here's the video that you are looking for: Panasonic FZ-M1 Toughpad - SHTF Gear Series
ruclips.net/video/J3Rn-mCMfU0/видео.html
However, I'm now also running the iKey keyboard with it. An update video is needed.
5:20 -- just when you finish talking about how you're trying to reduce the risk of monitoring by the wider audience by using obscurity, you then go and choose the most ubiquitous digital mode. So within the digimode world, you have the widest possible audience of eavesdroppers. If you really cared about being niche, you'd choose DSTAR, because it's most prohibitively expensive in an HT.
Yes, DStar is more obscure, but there is no support for encryption. Also, there are some very powerful features in Motorola DMR implementation. I'm moving towards the MotoTRBO line.
Great video
$29 SDR dongle with DSD++ can listen to DMR or any Trunk Mobile Radio you can purchase unless you have encryption.😅
I run encryption with my business license. I ran these tests with RTL-SDR and DSD++.
Great Stuff
I’m not familiar with business licensing and would like to hear about it in detail. Does one have to have a registered business to actually qualify? My assumption is that these “legal” inscription capabilities are still vulnerable to state actors otherwise they would not allow the public to have access.
@The Tech Prepper Can Kenwood radios do what you are talking about as far as the texting and micro-networking? Specifically the NX5200's?
Love your videos, just out of interrst do you guys have access to Tetra over in your neck of the woods ?, a couple of fellow colleagues & I are running both DMR & Tetra for the very same reasons that you are ( for securitt for when / if things goes south ).
We've made a map up that we all have a copy of that we have drawn Grids Squares onto & have given thoes grids squares non recognizable names so that if things go to hell in a hand basket we can revert to either DMR & / or Tetra & refer to map locations as the grid square non recognizable names.
We all come from "Operational" backgrounds so Tx's will be kept to a bare minimum with no names used over the air, ww have even developed a rehashed alphabet & numeric table so as to be able to give out phn No.'s & names without it making any sense to anyone else.
Yes I know not quiet legal during peaceful times but in times of "National Emergency" no rules apply.
Regards
Wayne. P.
Is the programming software for these DMR radios readily available?
The Ailunce HD1 GPS is waterproof... did you consider that option
Yes. I owned one last year but gave it away when I hit 10K subscribers. I was not ready for DMR at that point.
@@TheTechPrepper Based upon what you have learned since would you consider it now?
@@bradl2636 I would have to re-evaluate it. The rugged factor is huge for me, so it pains me that I sold it. Unfortunately, for this year, I have decided to stick with the gear that I have, so I will not have time re-evaluate it. I already made a very large investment in time and money on the 878.
@@TheTechPrepper I’m only recently aware of the Ailunce and 878 so will follow your journey. The Ailunce seems very “Motorola-like” if that makes sense? I assume both units would be fine for private business license frequency use?
You mention a business license for operating encryption modes legally. Can you expound on that a little? I am interested and would like to know what steps I would need to take ... :)
Good content thus-far. Awaiting delivery of my Anytone AT-D878UVII PLUS (best option for DMR give the price-point and what I could find so far). May upgrade to something a bit more "beefy" down the road, but will have the 878 as a starting point.
I covered this on the member live stream. The easiest path is just to contact an LMR dealer in your area and have them handle it for you for one fee and per your requirements. That's what I did as I have no time.
@@TheTechPrepperThanks! Just sub’d to your YT channel, as I’m getting back into doing HAM stuff, learning how to USE the tools to supplement my outdoors time and a business I’ve had for a few years that relies on outdoors, stealth & comms.
878 on the charger now! FW update later, then programming channels & zones (AHAM). Will have to research DMR programming (I do believe you have a video on that 😁).
Baofanf uv 390 pluse . Can you talk about this radio ?
Can you suggest a Panasonic tough book model that will meet all the pepper needs and not cost 4000.00?
5:30 - Interesting that you went with a digital voice mode to avoid the FM Baofeng army based on increased cost providing an additional barrier to entry and the security through obscurity of digital voice, but then you chose DMR because it's more of a standard. When I was choosing radios for my local group 5-6 years ago, I deliberately chose Yaesu System Fusion as the LEAST popular digital voice mode to reduce the potential eavesdroppers.
There's is a broader strategy. I don't plan on using voice. I a proof-of-concept of out-of-band AES-256 cryptography built on top of the MotoTRBO. This is just for the first video. You can't do over-the-air networking with any of the amateur radio digital protocols.
@@TheTechPrepper - I should have withheld my comment until watching the entire video series. 😀
You'd alluded to that in previous videos. Looking forward to seeing where this goes. It's been quite a journey so far, and now it's heading away from Hamster Station, and that's fine by me. It *really* bugs me that we can't have secure private communications but our government can. My town was one of the many that got the DHS block grant to upgrade their COM systems and now they're all using mil-spec spread spectrum digital encryption... including the garbage trucks.
@@Liberty4Ever No worries. I typically have a very deliberate plan with my gear selections. It's hard to cram the entire vision into one video. Stay tuned. I looked at both C4FM and DStar, but when I saw some of the LMR applications for DMR, I felt that DMR would serve both the amateur radio and commercial needs at the same time.
Maybe jumping the gun here but are you planning on having a mobile repeater?
Yes, part III will cover that.
@@TheTechPrepper cool I’m looking forward to that. I’m drawing up plans for a 4 wheeler trailer and having a repeater is part of it.
Would a slightly newer radio like the XPR 7550 work similarly with your software etc?
Yes, the XPR 7550 works well. I picked a pair of 7550e UHF models to test. I'm trying to test those with the Bluetooth network interface.
The Alinco Alinco DJ-MD5XLT is a better option for everyday Carry, smaller and just as capable. Moto is nice but access to the Programming Software is a pain and $$$.
The software is free now from Motorola. It just takes about 1-2 weeks to go through the formal process.
The boafeng army had my laughing lol
It's fun when I can sneak those little sayings in there. ;-)
u5vr is a a crappy 4.5 watts radio at best ,,,,cost 22 dollars ,,, when u can get the uv13 v2 for 16 Dollas which has way better reception and antenna with a nice 7.5 watts output , now as a guy thats tested every radio out there ,, i can say the RT86 that kicks out 10 watts and has built in scrambler ,,is by far the best long range analogue radio on a to get ,,,,,, i under stand DMR will last longer with added security, but the 10watts of it is like 70 dollas a pop !!!, and the price of a repeater ,, is shocking
DMR is mot a mode for George Jetson!
@TheTechPrepper : Do/Can the Motorola's create a mesh network free from the internet?
I do not believe that the MOTOTRBO line supports mesh networking, but I am still new to the LMR and Motorola scene.
@@TheTechPrepper Sweet, Thanks. I'm trying to get into radios/HAM and want to learn where I can spend the few pennies I have wisely. I greatly appreciate your videos and channel!
As a product manager, i both love and hate that you blamed the PM for the shitty design of the 878 features 😁
Mototurbo also does aes 256
Yes and no. They refuse to allow AES 256 on the XPR series to push end users to other Moto radios. Outside of US, AES is available 🤷🏻♂️
@@otakurj unless things changed when i worked for Motorola it was things change tho but i know the ones we had was
If anyone needs software let me know Iv got tons and im not like most ppl that will say go google it
i have a dm1081 its a baofeng DMR cost 77 dollars
That's a great price point for getting into DMR.
I don’t think it is necessary to be a ‘prepper’ to get something from your channel. I have the Anytone and found it a good radio but not as good as my yaesu FT60 and VX6 for 2m and 70cm FM ham bands. I thought it was good for DMR until I bought a Motorola DP4801e (it is called something different in the US) which cost ~$2000 AUD new. The problem with Motorola is getting the programming software and getting your head around the software. Other than that a bomb proof radio. I think skimping on the quality of your gear is not a good way to be prepared. I also work on the listen to everyone talk to no one principle but no one seems to talk about quality scanners/recievers.
73
Andrew
Also being able to DF signals ie. fox hunting, is a super important skill set for preparing I think.
Yes, it is. We have a fox hunt coming up next month.
Use 220 it’s not used a lot and many don’t even use 220 the new bafung uv18r pro gps can send gps locations
220 MHz on low power with a small yagi is force multiplier, especially if you minimize your TX time. 73's
I wish you could use them without having a license for them. I guess I’ll just stick to midland radios. lol
You can if you obtain a commercial business license through the FCC. I did that for the business. My wife is not licensed and now we run fully encrypted between us using my issued frequencies.
Yeasu digital radios are even more obscure
AES 256 pretty private.
👍👍
Algorithm sacrifice
DMR is crap mate.. too many non standard radios all with their own version of DMR and audio levels.. It's impossible to listen too. Unless you are sticking with Moto DMR across the whole fleet.. it's a nightmare. That is why P25 is the better option
My personal plan is to purchase a fleet and program these for duty use. These will be distributed to a group and programmed for specific operations. Also, I have written a custom ARS, LRRP and TMS server that provides dispatch features from a control station. This will be shown in a future video once I make more progress. P25 and the APX line will be the next upgrade next year.
@@TheTechPrepper something to suit the xtl and xts5000 ranges would be good. These are very popular in the used market
@@Jay-hr9ci I have an XTS5000, but I am not sure if it has the same IP networking features built-in. I know that the XPS line has similar networking features, but those are out of mu league.
@TheTechPrepper I think it does, but old school.. looking forward to seeing what happens.. especially with emcom tools. Big use cases for it over here in Australia mate. Even if we went xts5000 --> digirig --> mobile phone or something
@@Jay-hr9ci I am running the XTS-5000 (VHF) with the DigiRig now, too. It works great.
the future is M17
I experimented briefly with M17 on the Mobilinkd TNC4 and my FTM-6000R manpacks and it seems to have potential. Which radio(s) are you using for M17?
These are just 90s cell phones with digital modes, so yeah partial smart phone functionality in a brick phone. Christ, comms has nothing better going on?
These are actually built like tanks (not the AnyTone, but the MotoTRBOs) and the right level of tech for effective field communication. The last thing that I want in a radio is another buggy IoT device and constant updates like we see in the smartphone market. It all comes down to the operator's needs.
@@TheTechPrepper ahhh ok that makes sense. I’m def not up to speed in this so thanks for the explanation. Do you feel this will replace UHF/VHF and HF ham frequencies for SHTF? Or is this more for small, localized group comms? I invested a lot in my ham equipment and some of the P25 radios look $$$$. Again, thanks for all you do for the community!
You talk about "thugs" like they are some low tech insurgent force. Where TF have you been for the last 20 odd years? You do realize that various national and international gangs have utilized the training that the US armed forces provides to train and strengthen their forces. Bangers are routinely entering service and getting access to training. This INCLUDES communications.
DMR is not secure communications. Under FCC regulations secure communications is not permissable on Ham Bands. Anyone with a good software defined reciever can pull your transmissions and decode the digital signal. " Baufeng Thugs" ? Jeez. So I now know that you dont respect the hobby.
I respect the hobby and believe that there is value in the Baofeng to get people into the hobby. There are much better tools for the job in my opinion. That reference to the thugs was specifically in reference to criminals in the Phoenix-Metro using Baofengs for illegal activities. I think everyone needs to loosen up a bit. There is no harm in putting information out there. My only point is that DMR offers a little more privacy compared to traditional analog radio. Lastly, I am personally moving to a business license to run encryption legally. I do so at great time and expense. So, yes, I respect the hobby and the regulations set forth by the FCC. I see each radio service as providing utility and value.
In denmark, encryption IS allowed on ham bands
"Operational security"? Really? Ham radio is NOT a military operation! Secure comms? Really? That's how hams roll buddy! Don't like that? Go somewhere else! Baufang "thugs"? Really? Maybe you should be on a watch list.
I'm quickly transitioning away from amateur radio use and will be covering the commercial and business use for secure communication. I also opened the video by saying that this video was not targeted at hams. The gate keeping on the amateur radio side is going to kill the hobby.
@@TheTechPrepperWell Ham radio is a hobby. So if "Gatekeeping" offends you, stop trying to tell people to use Ham radios in an illegal manner
@@TheTechPrepper I'm sorry that you don't see value in the hobby/service! I've been involved for around 25 years. My father has been a ham since the mid 60s as well. While I think it has its place in the comms community, it's not for everyone!
I've become pretty much inactive on the bands. This is because I've encountered a LOT of stupids on air! From being rude to talking about all of their health conditions! And we're supposed to be the friendly types too!
Even encountered somebody once that said "I don't talk to people on air that I haven't met first in person!" Really? Well, ok then! It's THAT kind of just absolute b.s. that has made me think MORE than once about just selling the station and going somewhere else!
But then I remember that for every idiot I meet, I've met several really nice, good, folk as well. Early on,(1919) the government saw that we had value. So they let the service continue.
We still do have something to offer I think. But our value is definitely dropping, as more comm modes come into being. We used to be the only game in town. Not so true anymore. We've become a victim of our own success in a way!
I really don't think it's for folks that think the sky is falling either. There are now plenty of other radio systems to use! By the way, I don't recommend ham radio to people these days! If someone sees a rig or ant. and asks, I'll tell them what it's for. But that's as far as I go.
Thanks for getting back to me, and for your views on things! I think stupidity, rudeness, and a lack of activity on certain bands is what will kill the hobby/service. 73 friend, kd7cjo in Wyoming
@@mikesimpson6757 what "illegal" manner has he put forward?
Calm down buddy. It’s just an expensive hobby/pass time. Don’t get so riled up. Don’t boot lick so hard next time
Looking forward to this series! I have a pretty basic TYT DMR radio I learned DMR on. I'm usually an RF only (no Internet for any service - maybe excepting APRS) but I've found a couple of useful "networked" DMR features I use occasionally.
Great to hear! Those are great radios to learn on as they come a great price point. The nice thing about the MOTOTRBO line is their over-the-air IP networking. The trick is going through the hoops to get the Customer Programming Software (CPS) and some cases dealing with an inflated price point for some of the accessories. Take care.
I'm definitely interested! Especially with building out your own hardware and potential repeater.
I have experience with the anytone radios not living up to the product descriptions, especially with aprs. The aprs implementation they use works over DMR consistently but not analog. I have no idea how you could utilize that with your own repeater or how you could go about that, but as you said the motorola devices have the features working so I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it all! thanks!
I've only tried analog APRS and I was not impressed. The amount of programming was excessive and man it's a pain to use from the user perspective. There are some serious usability bugs especially when you use it in a high volume packet area. It's nearly unusable on of the nets that I participate in where there are 500 operators checking in during the course of the day.
Opengd77 firmware on a rt3s is supposed to be the most painless DMR setup and reasonable price under $100. Haven't tried it myself yet but it should be in the mail in a payday or 2 whenever I can't keep ignoring it 😅.
I installed the mod and it's overall good.
I bought an anytone . I upgraded from my beginner Baofeng. You definitely have to do your homework to use this radio properly. I love it.
Eeeh I have a xpr7550 don't know what I can do with it, but I have one
Thank you for this series. Even though both my wife and I are hams, we use 900 MHz ISM radios for short range secure comms. We use DMR and encryption. Between the unusual frequency and encryption it would be difficult for people to listen in. I do have a B-Tech DMR-6x2, so I look forward to hearing how you program your radio.
You're welcome. 900 MHz is a great option. There is a ton of 900 MHz gear on the secondary market for not a lot of money. The trick is going through process to obtain and learn the Custom Programming Software (CPS).
I just got my technician license with this exact goal in mind. So awesome to see there are like minded people in AZ. Hope I get to connect and pick your brain someday!
And Western Australia 🇦🇺 🇺🇸..!!!
Motorola radios require using expensive Motorola programming software.
That Anytone can be MARS-modded to work on MURS/GMRS/FRS/Dot/Marine freqs and when combined with its AES-256 encryption key capability & free programming software, a pair of them will be really useful when things go sideways in order to ensure no one is listening in.
Actually, you can legally obtain Motorola CPS free of charge now right down to the 25 KHz entitlement. All you need to do is register for an account with Motorola. The process can take a few weeks.
Looking forward to this. To echo what I said earlier: might start a "business" just to do this. If only FCC would allow this legally without owning one. I would work extra hours at work just to pay for the license or even the ability to used that 'e' word that gets some riled up.
Good luck with that. If you file all the paperwork yourself you can actually obtain the commercial license for around $500 USD. The license is good for 10 years, so you can look at it as a 50 bucks per year. The only part outside of the FCC fee is paying a frequency coordinator in your area to help you find a available frequencies in your area.
Some DMR like the TYT 390 Plus offer encryption. I think that is the reason I went that route. FCC rules do not apply in a SHTF situation.
I have the Anytone 878uv2 plus, if you use AT-options you can open the frequencies to Transmit and receive 400-520 and 136-174, if you want the software also opens up the Anytone 878uv2 plus into a tri band 140-440-220 it is a tri band capable.
What would you recommend for a DMR 50w mobile unit?
I have not made a decision. I am evaluating the AnyTone D578 and couple of the mobile units.
Been tinkering with DMR for a while. I have a small battery operated system with a Maxon MDM-4424 inside with SRF. It’s effectively a waterproof field deployable repeater with 50 watts of power. You can get a second unit with a cable to link the two so you can operate on VHF and UHF. Something worth checking out, also don’t mind traveling if you would like to field test mine.
ISM band. FHSS. Can get 20 miles with a highpower omni. Digital and very hard to listen in.
Please make the video about how you got your fcc business license
Does baofeng have dmr radios I think they do
The reason more people don’t do DMR is because basically all brands are “broken”.
For some reason HAMs and HAM radio designers …as technically proficient as we’d expect them to be…just cannot get it together.
For instance, I have a Yaesu FT5D (an expensive radio). It can’t do DMR because???? Ego?
I think the truth is that these tech types like to keep it complicated to maintain their perceived superiority.
Every time I turn a corner in this radio game there is an unnecessary obstacle.
Great video! As a ham mostly for preparedness, this is exactly the video about DMR I was looking for.
Glad it was helpful!
So what exactly are you prepping for i find a lot of people really don't have a clue what they will be getting themselves into if what yhey think they are preparing for happens
If you've seen more than a few of my videos, you'll notice that I set out to solve real world problems using a methodical approach. I see many issues in modern society that have the potential to be much larger problems in the near future. I've covered these scenarios in a number of member live streams.
@@TheTechPrepper ok I will go check them out I found this video looking for info on digital radios
I hope I didn't sound like a ass that was not my intention
But I have found myself in several situations over the years where just finding shelter food and water took a lot of time and energy. But I see a lot of these people who want to plan for the end of the world and think they are going to sit around and talk on a radio
@@seandrake7534 It sounded like that a bit. I appreciate you clarifying. You may be interested in this reality check video where I seriously questioned the prepper dream of retreating to the woods: ruclips.net/video/XP1Z67b7D24/видео.htmlsi=JaiZjkED986AviPr
YT reviews indicate these anytone radios to be a nightmare
They are an absolute nightmare. Most DMR and commercial radios are frustrating to say the least if you come from an amateur radio background. The amount of software quirks and bugs is equally annoying when it comes to AnyTone.