On the 9 November 2020, the birth of a new way of working with DMR was born.
A network name was devised and was called FreeDMR.
FreeDMR is the freedom for Repeater, Gateway Keepers and some Hotspots to have full control, instead of being told what has to go where.
We look forward to a great and bright future.
FreeDMR is a DMR Network for Amateur radio users around the world.
FreeDMR is currently looking for OpenBridge connections to connect to a rapidly growing system.
Open Source is here! FreeDMR – Open networking – Reaching out to the World.
Some features include:
Client configuration sent via Protocol Options line.
Dial-a-TG. All talk groups shifting via Private Call on Slot 2.
Voice idents. The repeater’s or hotspot call-sign is (spoken) every 15 mins.
Enhanced OpenBridge via Improved bridge protocol.
Loop detection & handling on the FreeDMR Network.
More features to come.
The FreeDMR Server.
The new system is derived from HBlink and is fully-open source and available on GitHUB. The server software allows the implementation of features as we would like to see them, making the software completely customisable to your needs. This also allows the response to issues and bugs more effectively. This system is bridged to other Servers, providing a frontend system with enhanced functionality. It also enabled repeaters to be able to communicate even if a Server upstream is down. An overview of the added functionality is below. Note, all of this functionality is optional and configurable.
FreeDMR UK.
FreeDMR UK (The UK Network)
Enhanced Talk Groups (dial-a-tg)
Implementation of an enhanced version of a low level talks group, including all of the voice announcements, timeouts etc. The confusing numbering used for the old reflector system (TG9) is obsolete. Instead, you can simply manual-dial a private-call to any talk group number to have it routed to Talk Group 9 on Time Slot 2 on a FreeDMR repeater. This also works on Hotspots if you decide to use it. There is control of the timer and fallback to the default Talk Group (Reflector) as before. Another abbreviation of a Enhanced Talk Groups or Reflectors as they were known is “Dial-a-TG”.
Single mode.
Only allows a single Talk Group to be routed to a Time Slot on a repeater/hotspot at one time, whilst the Time Slot is active. Even if several static Talk Groups are set up on the slot. As soon as a Talk Group is keyed up, only that single Talk Group is routed to the Time Slot until either the timer expires or another Talk Group is keyed up, which then replaces the first one. This is similar to Hotspot behaviour on other networks. This works even between Dial-a-TG (TalkGroup 9) and other TalkGroups.
Voice idents.
Optionally, (set in Options) a 15 minute voice ident in DMR can be set on Time Slot 2. The repeater’s or hotspot call-sign is (spoken) “sent” via “All Call” for optional voice ident. “This is CALL-SIGN FreeDMR”
Things it doesn’t do.
Currently we have not implemented:
- Private calls that transit the network (PC on the current repeater still works)
Accreditations.
FreeDMR Server Software by Simon Adlem G7RZU.
Dashboard Monitor by Waldek SP2ONG.
Options Calculator by Jim Nessen K6JWN.
Some images and FreeDMR Network logo’s by José Melo.