When purchasing a mobile radio, you might notice the term DMR written on the label. It is simply one of ham radio’s standards, similar to P25 or NXDN. The perk of DMR is that it can squeeze more stations into a smaller spectrum space. In other words, with DMR, you can engage in more than one conversation within one frequency.
This article will explore the question “What is a DMR ham radio?” and explain the basics you need to start operating one.
DMR Ham Radio: What’s It?
1. Definition
Ham enthusiasts can use a variety of standards to operate their radios. Each one is for different purposes and targets unique groups of users. DMR is one of these standards.
What does DMR stand for? DMR radio meaning is Digital Mobile Radio. It was created by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute or ETSI in 2005 and applies to commercial two-way radios.
2. Purpose
Ham radio DMR opens up a system that is cost-efficient and simple to use. Beyond that, radios from different manufacturers can interoperate on the DMR standard. As long as your radio’s manufacturer enables DMR, you can connect with other DMR radios regardless of their brands.
Since many manufacturers joined the market of DMR devices, consumers can enjoy lower prices for high-quality products. You don’t have to worry about proprietary software when purchasing a DMR radio.
Besides DMR, you will find other standards or radio modes, such as P25 and NXDN. They are all specifications published by different organizations in an attempt to create a widely-accepted standard that will benefit all users.
While P25 was developed by public safety professionals in North America, NXDN (Next Generation Digital Narrowband) was created by Icom Incorporated and Kenwood Corporation.
3. Frequencies
As you might know, the FFC set aside the bands of 1.6 to 1240 MHz for ham radios. As one mode of ham, DMR’s frequencies stay within this range and are divided into two categories:
- VHF: 30 – 300 MHz
- UHF: 300 – 1000 MHz
What frequencies should you operate your DMR amateur radio on? In short, VHF is better for line-of-sight communication, while UHF is better for when there are obstructions between the radios.
The DMR radio range is then classified into three tiers, each targeting a different group of users.
DMR Tiers
DMR frequency is divided into three categories:
1. DMR Tier I—Non-licensed conventional
As the name suggested, you don’t need a license to operate a DMR Tier I ham radio in Europe. When operating a Tier I DMR, you will send and receive signals between 446 MHz and 446.2 MHz. The range has 16 DMR channels, which should be sufficient for a beginner.
However, these channels are prone to noise and interference, and you can’t listen to DMR repeaters on them. For that reason, Tier I DMR is unsuitable for professional communications.
2. DMR Tier II—Licensed conventional
Before operating a DMR Tier II radio, you need to obtain a DMR radio license. But don’t worry! You won’t need to sit a test or pay high fees. All you need is to fill out a registration form for a digital mobile radio ham ID. Note that you will need an available call sign and an FCC license for this procedure.
In VHF mode, a DMR Tier II radio sends and receives signals within 136 to 174 MHz. In UHF mode, it operates within 403 to 527 MHz. Also, with Tier II equipment, you can listen to DMR ham radio via repeaters.
In general, this type of device is less susceptible to interference. You can rely on it for short and long-distance communication as well as emergencies.
3. DMR Tier III—Trunking
Similar to Tier II, DMR Tier III equipment requires licenses. But if you opt for DMR Tier III equipment, you will have many benefits besides stable signals, such as sending and receiving SMS, GPS service, and radio remote control.
Many amateurs choose these DMR radios to avoid noise, interference, and instability.
How Does It Work?
Now that you know the definition of DMR radio, do you wonder how it achieves such advantages? How does DMR work?
The answer lies in its technology—TDMA (Time-Division Multiple Access). When you send signals via a small DMR radio, they take up only one slot among the two that TDMA creates, meaning you can simultaneously talk to multiple people without switching the channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a ham license for DMR?
If you are a beginner, DMR Tier I radios might be sufficient, and thus you don’t need a ham license to operate a DMR.
However, if you intend to take your hobby seriously and choose Tier II or III equipment, you will need a ham license. Note that after obtaining the license, you will use your call sign to fill in a registration form for your DMR ID.
What makes Radio DMR so special?
TDMA is the technology that has made DMR stand out among various radio models these days. It allows more than one user to operate on one frequency at the same time. This, in turn, makes the system more cost-efficient and simpler to use.
Conclusion
What is a DMR ham radio? To define DMR, I’ll say it is one of the many standards applied to ham radio. DMRs are generally cheaper and easier to use than other ham models. Plus, you can simultaneously have more than one conversation with these gadgets.
The world of ham still has more for you to discover, so don’t hesitate to browse other articles on our website. You will find in-depth tutorials on ham radio installation, operation, and maintenance. We wish you the best time building your first radio station!