Join us on Brandmeister Talk Group 31266 (Michigan Nets) for the DMR Tech Net on Monday, November 4th from 7:30 PM ET to 8:25 PM ET. The net will conclude early to allow time to switch (QSY) talk groups to the Michigan One DMR Net (which begins at 8:30 PM ET on BrandMeister Talk Group 3126).

Every Monday night join the DMR Tech Net as we make Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) easier to understand and fun to use!

Using OpenGD-77 firmware on a DMR radio (like the Radioddity GD-77) has several pros
and cons:

Pros:

1.   Expanded Features: OpenGD‑77offers a range of additional features and configuration options that are not available in the factory firmware.

2.   Customization: You can customize the radio to a greater extent, including the ability to define multiple 
talk groups within a single channel.

3.   Improved Performance: Some users report better performance and reliability with OpenGD‑77   
compared to the factory firmware.

4.   Community Support: Being an open‑source project, it has a community of users and developers who 
can offer support and share their experiences.

5.   Hotspot Mode: OpenGD‑77 includes a hotspot mode that allows for higher power transmission 
compared to some other software-defined radio hotspots.

Cons:

1.   Legal Issues: The firmware no longer contains the binary sections from the official firmware that 
provide DMR/AMBE codec functionality due to legal reasons.

2.   Complexity: The additional features and customization options can make the software more complex 
to use, especially for beginners.

3.   Compatibility: There may be compatibility issues with certain repeaters or networks that require specific firmware configurations.

4.      Firmware Updates: Keeping the firmware up to date can be more challenging, as it requires manual updates and flashing.

OpenGD-77 software brings several new and different features compared to the factory firmware of the 
GD-77 radio. Here are some of the key enhancements:

New Features:

1.   DMR Rx AGC: Automatic Gain Control for DMR reception, improving audio quality.

2.   Rx Beeps: Beeps indicating reception of a signal.

3.   Clear Last Heard: Holding the # key clears the Last Heard screen.

4.   Voice Prompts: Multiple speeds for voice prompts, ranging from 1.0x to 2.5x normal speech speed.

5.   CC Scan Option: The CC scan option has been reinstated.

6.   Improved Scanning: Enhanced DMR scanning functionality.

7.   GPS Position Display: Improved GPS position display.

8.   Hotspot Mode: Enhanced hotspot mode for higher power transmission1.

Additional Features:

·         Customization: More options for customizing the radio settings and configurations.

·         Community Support: Access to a community of users and developers for support and shared 
experiences.

·         Regular Updates: Frequent updates with new features and improvements.

These features make OpenGD-77 a powerful and flexible option for DMR enthusiasts looking to get the most out of their radios.

Here is how you can get started with OpenGD-77 for your DMR radio:

1. Download and Install

·         Repository: Go to the OpenGD-77 GitHub repository and download the latest firmware and CPS (Customer Programming Software) https://github.com/open-ham/OpenGD77 or https://www.opengd77.com/downloads/ .

·         Install: Follow the instructions to install the CPS on your computer and flash the firmware onto your 
radio. This usually involves connecting the radio to your computer via USB and using the CPS to load 
the new firmware.

2. Configuration

·         CPS Software: Open the CPS software and configure your radio settings. You can set up channels, 
talkgroups, and other settings.

·         Hotspot Mode: If you want to use your radio as a hotspot, you will need to configure this in the CPS.

3. Community and Resources

·         Forums and Groups: Join online forums and groups where you can ask questions and get support from other OpenGD-77 users.

·         Documentation: Read through the available documentation to understand all the features and how to 
use them.

4. Regular Updates

·         Firmware: Keep an eye on the GitHub repository for updates and new features. Regularly updating your firmware can help you stay on top of new developments and improvements.

5. Practice and Explore

·         Experiment: Spend some time experimenting with different settings and configurations to find what 
works best for you.

·         Use Cases: Try out the various features, such as the Hotspot mode, to see how they can enhance your 
DMR experience.

Dive in and enjoy exploring the expanded functionality OpenGD-77 can bring to your DMR experience!

Send an email to [email protected] if you want to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter. To see previous newsletters, check out our website: https://dmrtechnet.net/   

You can always chat with the DMR Tech Net team on TGIF talk group 31268, the DMR Tech Net channel or Brandmeister talk group 31266, the Michigan Nets channel

The DMR Tech Net team is assisting Dustin N8RMA with NCS duties on the Michigan One DMR net.
Here is the list of the upcoming NCS (Net Control Stations) for it:

• Nov 4                 Steve KC8WXM and/or Brad KE8WNV
• Nov 11              Dustin N8RMA

•       Nov 18              Tom N8TJ and/or Rick AD8KN

• Nov 25              Bob KB8DQQ

https://www.michiganonedmr.net/

Another option is to go to https://zoom.us/, then select “Join” (in the top right-hand corner), and use the following parameters to connect to the DMR Tech Net TV Zoom meeting:

·   Meeting ID: 844 4766 4395 

·         Passcode: 370040

To join with only your phones’ audio, dial (312) 626-6799 and input the following:

·         Meeting ID: 844 4766 4395

·         Passcode: 370040

To view previous DMR Tech Net TV shows, visit our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@DMRtechnetTV) or website (https://dmrtechnet.net/dmr-tech-net-tv/).