---ZS Link Network Blog, Mossel Bay, South Africa ---: Update 4: ZS1I DMR Bridge, Garden Route Area and other Regions of SA

Here is another update on the DMR Bridge "building" in the Garden Route Area and other regions of South Africa:

Audio setup successfully competed on the ZS1I DMR Bridge
DMR Bridge Node incorporated in the ZS1I Supermon 6 + AllStar Manager
"Private" Talk Group created and setup for the ZS1I DMR Bridge Network
New ZS6CMO DMR Bridge now active in the Alberton area!!
Requests on how to setup an AllStar to DMR Bridge Network and how to use DMR
Analog- and Digital Radios works great via the ZS1I DMR Bridge Network and ZS1I DMR Hotspot
Future plans for the ZS1I DMR Bridge Network
Thanks and Appreciation

Audio setup successfully competed on the ZS1I DMR Bridge

Extensive Audio tests were performed this past week using the ZS1I DMR Bridge, AllStarlink, Echolink and 145.550 Mhz Simplex Link in the Mossel Bay area. The duration of the audio reports lasted about 30 min and I apologize for "hogging" the ZS - Link Network. However the tests were a necessity to ensure that the bridge and network functions optimally. The DMR tests were performed on the newly ZS1I "Private" Talk Group. The AllStar and Echolink Parrot Nodes were also used during the tests. I found that the audio level from DMR to AllStar was on the low side. I changed the usrpAudio to Audio_Use_Gain and set usrpGain to 3.10. This resulted in evenly audio on the bridge, allstar nodes and echolink. The audio both ways on DMR, AllStar, Echolink and the 145.550 Mhz Simplex Link is great and the system is now fully operational. The audio on Echolink sounds "flat" but that is unfortunately out of my control as Echolink is using an old audio Codec. As Echolink is not updated anymore I guess we will have to live with the "flat" audio coming from stations on Echolink.

DMR Bridge Node incorporated in the ZS1I Supermon 6 + AllStar Manager

The DMR Bridge Nodes are now also incorporated into Supermon 6 a AllStar "Swissarmy" Web console. It is a one stop place to do management of your Allstar systems and other features from a web browser from anywhere in the world. The nodes as reflected in the image can be controlled.

"Private" Talk Group created and setup for the ZS1I DMR Bridge Network.

I have created a "Private" DMR Talk Group for use with the ZS1I DMR Bridge. Personally I think that there is times where you do not want to "hog" the 655 South Africa Nationwide Talk Group or any other group. No this is not a private talk group or a place where only a few selected radio amateurs gather. It is open to everybody that would like to use the Talk Group. It is planned to use this talk group in future to transmit and receive GRHub Breaking News Bulletins, Nets, Live Link Connections etc. More detail on this in a future update. To utilize the GRHubTG I provide the following detail:

Contact Name: GRHubTG

Call Type: Group Call

Call Id: 65511

Admit Criteria: Color Code

Color Code: 1

Repeater Slot: 2

New ZS6CMO DMR Bridge now active in the Alberton area!!

I am pleased to announce that the ZS6CMO AllStar - DMR Bridge is now active in the Alberton area. Curtis worked throughout last week to setup the bridge. Now Curtis is also currently experimenting with setting up the node for NXDN. I receive daily updates on his progress in this regard and would like to thank him for the updates. Between him and myself we are learning, experimenting and exploring. I can vouch that we have learned a lot about digital radios etc. I will provide more info in a future posting as I receive further updates.

Requests on how to setup a AllStar to DMR Bridge Network and how to use DMR

As indicated before I received a request from KZN in this regard. Currently I do not have any updates on the progress in establishing a DMR Bridge in the Durban area. Once I received info I will publish it in a future blog posting.

Listening on the Air reflected that there are quite a few other radio amateurs also interested in setting up an AllStar - DMR Bridge in there area. Visit the following link on how to setup a DMR Bridge in your area. Link: Click HERE.

During the week I received a Telegram request from Corne ZS1COR in George on how to use DMR in general and also how to program DMR radios.

He was duly informed via Telegram. Let's hope we hear Corne ZS1COR and other radio amateurs in the George area soon on DMR. Remember if you do not have a DMR radio you can simply use your Analog Radio and the ZS1I DMR Bridge to talk to your friends on DMR.

Analog- and Digital Radios works great via the ZS1I DMR Bridge Network and ZS1I Hotspot

I am very satisfied with the workings of the ZS1I Allstar to DMR Bridge Network. Thus far I only received excellent reports and also positive comments regarding the Bridge Network. Let's see how this network performs before jumping to final conclusions. It is actually amazing if you think that radio amateurs can now selectively use the ZS1I DMR Bridge Network, AllStarLink, GRHub Network, Echolink Network, DMR, 145.550 Mhz Simplex Radio Link and be heard on all the networks at the same time. You now have the option to use either a analog or digital radio, depends on what you prefer and what you have available. This surely open up new fields of experimentation and exploration!!

Future plans for the ZS1I DMR Bridge Network

I can see many plus points for such a Network. One such plus is to use the network during an emergency situation. Now I hear the roar of remember in times of disaster the Internet might be down. Agree fully but we use what is available at such a time. In the event that the Internet goes down the following systems will still be fully operational:

ZS1I DMR Repeater (without Internet)
DMR Simplex Radios
Analog Radios / Repeaters
ZS1I AllStar Nodes (without Internet)
ZS1I 145.550 Mhz Simplex Link Network

I have been asked whether the ZS1I DMR Bridge will be permanently connected to the GRHub Network? NO it will only be connected during emergency situations!! However rest assure you will be able to use the ZS1I DMR Bridge as a separate network whenever you want. I will run the bridge on a daily basis once I permanently install it on site with a 430 Mhz Simplex Radio Link attached. A future update will provide more information in this regard. Stay tuned!!

Thanks and Appreciation

This is surely the most important paragraph in this topic. Please note I am not the person who compiled the software. Far more clever radio amateurs were responsible for this great DMR feature. I only used their "How to" manuals to setup the ZS1I DMR Bridge. I would like to thank each and every person who contributed to this "project".

Many thanks to all the local radio amateurs who use the ZS1I DMR Bridge- and GRHub Network. Your support and comments are hightly appreciated. Without leaving anybody out in the cold I would like to thank the following two radio amateurs who is always available to test and to exchange information: (1) Curtis ZS6CMO and (2) Majorke ZS5V. A big thank to all those who assisted in this regard!!

Images: (Click on images for larger view.)