- This page is incomplete & still being developed. -
Packet radio is alive and well along the Front Range.
Reliable and fast internet has enabled hams to link repeaters with ease.
Hams have embraced VHF digital modes and are making contacts around the world with this technology.
Here is a link to a good article on digital voice modes to give you a basis for the rest of this page. → Ham Radio School article on Digital Voice modes by K0NR
Colorado has a large DMR user base but before you are able to get on the DMR system you will need a DMR ID. You can get one at → RadioID.net.
Once you get an ID you can focus on programming your radio. The programming information for DMR radios is called a codeplug. Headsup! DMR radio programming can be difficult.
RMHam has a DMR network along the front range on their own microwave network. Their website has lots of information and sample codeplugs. Check it out at:
→ Rocky Mountain Ham Radio
→ Radioddity article on the basics of DMR
→ List of DMR repeaters in Colorado
→ Wikipedia - History of DMR
These modes are less popular in our area. P25 and NXDN were both commercially developed. M17 is an open-source project by ham radio operators.
P25 uses your DMR id.
Introduction to Packet Radio by By Larry Kenney, WB9LOZ
This series of eighteen articles was originally written in 1988 to appear in Nuts & Volts, the newsletter of the San Francisco Amateur Radio Club. The series has been widely distributed since then, with revisions issued in 1991, 1993, and 1995. Occasional revisions were made to this version on the web thereafter, in the late 1990s.
A Primer for the Packet Radio Beginner by Buck Rogers K4ABT
Buck, K4ABT, is highly respected in the Amateur Radio community both as a pioneer of Packet Radio and noted author, having published twelve books and written many feature articles for the leading Amateur radio, commercial and trade publications.
Personal nodes made for little money.
M17- AllStarLink.org
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