You
just received your Anytone 868 or 878, took it out of the box... Now what do
you do? Obviously you should be able to
use it simplex by entering in a frequency from the VFO but if you want to use
it for DMR, you’ll need to put a few channels into it. One of the things that I like about this
radio is that you can enter everything you need from the front panel. The other thing I like is that the
programming software is free, any they are continually enhancing it. This article explains the high level steps to
follow when setting up a configuration file, called a code plug, from scratch.
Using
the PC to program it is preferable when setting up the radio mainly because you
need a channel setup for each repeater talkgroup combination. If you have three talk groups and three
repeaters you want to use, you’ll probably setup nine channels. There is a way around this however. You could just setup a channel for each time
slot on the repeaters you want to use and then just override the current
talkgroup from the list on the radio. I
cover this on my 868 / 878 radio tips
in the “Using a talk group on the fly” section.
The first thing you will need to do
is install the USB cable driver and the programming software also known as the
CPS (Customer Programing Software). You can download this from any dealer support
page, like Connect Systems, Bridgecomm, or Powerwerx. If you have the new 878 unit, the driver may
install automatically from the windows repository.
I
started with a “code plug” from the papa systems guys to better understand how
things fit together. A “code plug” is just
a file that has all the settings in it.
It looks daunting, but I think you’ll agree that once you follow the
general steps below, it all makes sense.
If nothing else, opening up a pre-built code plug and seeing how things
go together will have you understanding it in just a few minutes. If you want
to use mine, click HERE. If you download
mine or one from the Papasystems guys,
then all you need to do is then open it with your programming software and
complete step 1 and then jump to step 6 & 7 to write it to your radio.
In summary, follow this order using
the programming software:
- Once you open the programming software, you’ll want
to enter your DMR ID. If you don’t
have an ID yet, you’ll need to get one here. It takes
just a few minutes and I’m told they send you your ID in under an
hour. It’s in the”Radio ID list”
under the Digital section (click on the little box with a + on it if you
don’t see it)
- Create a list of DMR talk groups you want to
use These items become a pick-list
in the next step, setting up a DMR channel.
- Create channels.
(look at the example code plug) For analog, there is nothing
surprising. For DMR, you just say
it’s a digital channel and tell it the time slot and choose the talk group
that you added in the first step.
Also, you’ll need to choose the color code. Color Code is basically the same as the
PL tone on analog repeaters.
- Create one or more zones (this is just a group of
channels) and then add the channels to it.
Zones can have as many channels as you want and you can have the
same channel in the multiple zones.
Getting started, you can create one zone, and put all your channels
into it if you have just a few. You
can’t use the channel unless it’s in a zone.
Zones are very cool. I have one that I use a lot when I’m at home but I have a separate one that I use when vacationing in Arizona. If a channel isn’t in a zone, you can’t use it.
- Optional, If you are going to use DMR, you need to
import the contact list that you pull of the internet. If you don’t have an address book
loaded, you’ll just see the operator’s DMR ID displayed. This is how the
radio knows to display my call sign and name instead of my DMR ID. Since people are being added to the list
all the time, you need to import a new list from time to time. A prebuilt code plug will have one, for
instance the papa system or mine. You can get updated contact lists for
the AnyTone at kf5iw.com.
- Ensure that the programming
software can see your radio on the correct port.
- Plug your radio into your computer using the
supplied USB cable.
- Turn your radio on and wait for it to boot up.
- Go to the menu “Set”, then “Set COM”.
- You should see at least one comm port. Select it. (If you see more than one com port, you
may need to do a little trial and error). Typically the correct COM Port
will be the highest one listed.
- Choose “Program” menu, then Read
- If you were able to read your radio you are all set to move to
the next step.
- Write the settings to the
radio (Program / Write).
- Make sure to open your code plug of choice and make
sure your DMR ID is updated in it.
- Choose “Program” menu, then Write
- Confirm that you really do want to do this.
- The first time you write to the radio, you need to
check both boxes. This ensures
that it writes the channels and the address book. The next time you update your radio
with settings, uncheck “Digital Contact List” to save a LOT of time
(unless you need to refresh the list).
Future updates just take seconds.
- Let your radio reboot and give it a try.
I realize this is a very high level set of
instructions and it’s not meant to be a replacement for the manual but more of
a high level script and impress upon you the order that you need to follow
because one thing builds on the other.
If you did this from scratch, you’ll still need to import
addresses. See my tips article and
scroll down to “Importing a contact list”.
Thanks
to Brian, KC2GNV for his editorial support and recommendations for this
article.
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