Which frequencies to use?

General support for the Pi-Star System
k9ohv
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Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2019 10:31 pm

Which frequencies to use?

Post by k9ohv »

I think i got my problem of not getting my pi-star to work boiled down to having the wrong frequencies entered into the dashboard. I guess you cant use just any frequency within the band. Does anyone have a "band plan" for DMR frequencies that can be used for the Hotspots ?
Thanks,
Rob
k9ohv
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2019 10:31 pm

Re: Which frequencies to use?

Post by k9ohv »

Or, what maybe a better request, What frequencies are you using? I have a duplex so, if you do too, post both of them!

Thanks,
Rob
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w7efs
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Re: Which frequencies to use?

Post by w7efs »

Become familiar with the frequencies already in common use in your area, e.g. http://radioreference.com/apps/db/, then study http://arrl.org/band-plan and select an appropriate frequency, taking special care to avoid 435-438 MHz which is reserved for satellite communications.
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KE0FHS
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Re: Which frequencies to use?

Post by KE0FHS »

Thomas, W2XQ, has a good list on his site of Repeater Coordinators by U.S. state: http://w2xq.com/bm-ar-repeaters.html
In Colorado, for example, the CCARC publishes a Frequency Use Plan (https://www.ccarc.net/images/CCARC_FUP_ ... z_revd.pdf), which is what I used to pick my duplex frequencies. It took me a while to decipher all the uses, but I finally found what I think is a pair of frequencies that won't step on anyone else's toes. The first thing I do once I program a frequency in is listen for a while to make sure it isn't being used locally.
73, Toshen, KE0FHS
Playing with Pi-Star (unofficial notes about setting up and using Pi-Star):
https://amateurradionotes.com/pi-star.htm
k9ohv
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2019 10:31 pm

Re: Which frequencies to use?

Post by k9ohv »

Thanks guys...
Yea, i get all that, but, this seems to be an issue before that comes into play. I cant seem to "hit" my duplex to key it. I must be missing something when entering the RX and TX freq's. Tried everything, switching them, with offset, without, one offset, the other offset. Don't know what to try next! Ive been within the band, and away from the 435-438 area, with my freq. selections..

update: I decided to use it in simplex mode on a frequency that i use for my other hotspot and it works just fine.

Any suggestions would be grateful.

Thanks,
Rob
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KE0FHS
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Re: Which frequencies to use?

Post by KE0FHS »

Are you flipping the frequencies between your radio and hotspot? RX in hotspot (programmed in Pi-Star) = TX in radio; TX in hotspot = RX in radio.
73, Toshen, KE0FHS
Playing with Pi-Star (unofficial notes about setting up and using Pi-Star):
https://amateurradionotes.com/pi-star.htm
k9ohv
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2019 10:31 pm

Re: Which frequencies to use?

Post by k9ohv »

Yep, aware of that. Know that the RX from one needs to go into the TX of the other.
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KE0FHS
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Re: Which frequencies to use?

Post by KE0FHS »

I'm guessing you've double checked the basics. I don't recall you mentioning which duplex hotspot you have and what it's mounted on, but I'm guessing you have selected the proper Radio/Modem Type for it in Pi-Star General Configuration.

I'm using the MMDMV_HS_Dual_Hat by Florian, DF2ET, Mathis, DB9MAT, and Andreas, DO7EN, and the LoneStar MMDVM Duplex by Dave, N5BOC. Both of those use the MMDVM_HS_Hat (DB9MAT & DF2ET) for Pi (GPIO) Radio/Modem Type. I'm running Pi-Star 4.0.0-RC4 for both of them, but I previously used 3.4.17 for the MMDMV_HS_Dual_Hat. In the Control Software section, for the Controller Mode, I selected Duplex Repeater.

A good offset is 5 MHz.

I can share my frequencies, but they may not apply in your case, depending on your state's frequency use plan.

In Pi-Star:
Radio Frequency RX: 440.300.000
Radio Frequency TX: 445.300.000

In my radio, the channels set up for use with my duplex hotspots:
Receive Frequency: 445.30000
Transmit Frequency: 440.30000
Also:
Low power
12.5K Band Width
CTCSS/DCS Decode/Encode: Off
Color Code: 1
Slot: 2

Using these settings, I've used both duplex hotspots successfully.
73, Toshen, KE0FHS
Playing with Pi-Star (unofficial notes about setting up and using Pi-Star):
https://amateurradionotes.com/pi-star.htm
k9ohv
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2019 10:31 pm

Re: Which frequencies to use?

Post by k9ohv »

irrelevant post
removed by OP
Last edited by k9ohv on Sun Jun 09, 2019 9:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.
k9ohv
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2019 10:31 pm

Re: Which frequencies to use?

Post by k9ohv »

Thank You Toshen for the info, i will look it over. Do you have any advice for which .TFT file is best for the Nextion screen?

Here is my MMDVM duplex:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MMDVM-HS-Dual- ... 2749.l2649
Write up from where i purchased says to use STM32_HS_GPIO There is no selection with that exact wording. Closest is STM32-DVM / MMDVM_HS- Raspberry Pi Hat (GPIO). That is what i currently have selected, but no luck.

Here is my Pi:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BD ... UTF8&psc=1

Here is my case W/screen:
https://www.c4labs.com/product/duplex-p ... black-ice/
I cant get anything to work at this point. I have heard that you need to run the 4.0 beta ver of pistar with the duplex, and i have done that. I can get into the dashboard and make changes, but still no luck being able to talk to the duplex with my HT.
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