Top Questions from Technical Support

Parrot will not work on the SkyBridge or other hotspots if the hotspot security key is programmed incorrectly or if the talkgroup is not set to 9990 and private call.

Yes, you do need an Amateur Radio License to obtain a DMR ID.

You do not have to upgrade your firmware unless there is a bug fix or a new feature in a new firmware version.

At this time, we do not offer military or Fire/EMS/Police discounts.

Top Tech Calls

Check that the Wi-Fi name and password are entered correctly. Spelling accuracy is crucial for successful connection.

Log in to brandmeister.network, click on your callsign, then navigate to SelfCare > Hotspot Security. Enter a new hotspot security password and save it. Next, go to the SkyBridge Configuration Page, scroll down to DMR Configuration, enter the new password, and apply changes.

Double-check that the cable used is the correct one for the AnyTone radio. To verify, plug the cable into the computer; if a comport shows up in Device Manager without the radio connected, it's the wrong cable.

To update your digital contact list, read the radio with the CPS software. Visit radioid.net, hover over "database," click on "DATA DUMPS," and download "user.csv." Return to CPS, click "TOOL" in the menu bar, select "IMPORT," confirm with "OK," choose "digital contact list," navigate to and select the downloaded "user.csv" file, then import it. Allow about 3 minutes for the process, then write the codeplug back to your radio.

When will my product ship?


Orders must be placed by 3 PM to be shipped that day. This time may be extended due to inventory delays, circumstances beyond our control, or if you order a custom or programmed product.


Estimated lead times can be found on the product page of certain items that require more time for us to prepare.


For any questions about shipping your product, please give us a call. 816-532-8451

DVMEGA

 DVMega Hotspot Support Page


AnyTone AT-D878UV

AT-D878UV Support Page


AnyTone AT-D868UV

AnyTone AT-D868UV Support Page

BCH-220

Go to the FTDI USB Chip web site driver page. Once there open the Installation Guide and open the document for your windows version. Follow the guide to determine you need a VCP (Virtual Com Port) driver and download the driver for your version of Windows. Then continue to follow the FTDI Installation Instructions. Once complete plug in your programming cable and read your radio. Congrats, you are all set!

Yes, see the manual chapter 4: Quick Start - Get me on the Air!

From p13 in the manual: 


  • 1. While the RX frequency to store is displayed, Press and then press to start the channel store operation. The word SAVE will be displayed and flash on the screen. 2. Press to select which channel number slot to assign to the frequency. You can also key in the 3-digit channel number. 3. Press to store the channel.  A ‘good’ beep will indicate success. Otherwise, press or to cancel and return to previous frequency screen.

Two possibilities: 1. Wide/Narrow band setting. 2. Interference. One, check menu #11 from the front panel in VFO mode and make sure it is set to wide. The 220 band is a wide (25khz) band, so setting it to narrow will not work with the repeaters on the band. Two, walk away from the interfering electronic device. Many of today's electronic devices like fluorescent lights and LED/LCD monitors emit too much RF that when in close proximity to the radio will cause the squelch to open.  

The Alpha mode can only be programmed from the programming software under the name section.

The radio has three modes: Alpha Channel Memory, Channel Memory, and VFO mode. In Alpha Channel Memory mode very few changes can be made through the front of the radio. About all you can do is arrow up/down through the preprogrammed channels. You'll know you are in this mode because the display will have a channel number in the upper left and Alpha Numeric display on the main screen. Channel Memory Mode and VFO modes are the most common operating modes. Channel mode displays a channel number in the upper left and only numbers on the main display. VFO mode shows only numbers on the main display (NO channel numbers in the upper left). If you are having trouble programming the radio from the front panel check the radio mode. You can find instructions for changing the mode on p12 in the manual? If you see alpha characters plus the channel number (upper left), then you are in Alpha Channel mode and your ability to program the radio will be very limited. Follow the instructions on the p12 section to change between the modes. Check out the video for more help

IF you cannot get the FM radio to function, there are some radios that need a new codeplug installed. This requires the programming kit. Contact us at 816-532-8451 for information.

BCH-270

  • Get on the air - Follow the Quick Start Video.

  • Using the BCH-270 Programming Software, Volume 1.0, by Jim Cason

  1. Beginning: Make sure the radio is “OFF.” Connect the radio to a computer with the programming cable (radio first; computer USB last).

  2. Turn radio “ON.” Run (turn on) the program. Click the “PORT” button. If a port has been chosen, it will be indicated. In some cases, Port 3 will be chosen. Click “OK,” or choose one, then click “OK.”

  3. Now click the “READ” button which will read the list of frequencies and/or associated data from the radio. If you don't care what is in the radio, then skip this step.

  4. You may now choose and input the frequencies, including the “point” ( . ) into the “A” or “B” channels, as desired. If a repeater has a tone, choose it from the pulldown in columns QT/DQT Dec and QT/DQT Enc, as necessary.

  5. Radio output power may be chosen from column labeled “Power” and choosing “High” or “Low” from the pulldown. Other parameters may be changed IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. When you have input the proper frequencies and/or associated parameters, you may click the "SAVE" button to save the radio programming file. 

  6. When ready to put the frequencies and/or data into the radio, click the “WRITE” button; “OK” the port. You are now finished. If you have made any changes, remember to “Save” the data file into the previously used file or make a newly named file. Further modifications may be accomplished in the future by modifying the previous existing radio programming file and running this procedure again.

  7. Remember: IF SOMETHING DOESN'T WORK, SAVE AND START OVER FROM THE “BEGINNING.”

First, use the quick start guide in the manual, or watch the Quick Start Video to program and save your first channel in the radio. This will get you familiar with the radio and save a channel to memory.

Open the programming software and read the radio. On the programming software, the frequencies in the programming are just there for an example. Feel free to erase and start new. Find the channel you saved, see how the fields are programmed? Now use it as an example to program your other channels between A Group (2m) and B Group (70cm). Also, use the picture below for describing the columns.

Channel frequencies are stored using the radio programmer or by using the radio in VFO

mode only. The following instructions are for VFO mode radio operation.

  1. While the RX frequency is displayed and the desired TX and RX signaling is set, press F and then press 2 2 to bring up the MEM CH? Menu option. Press the F key again to confirm.

  2. Press the UP/DOWN keys to choose or input the channel number where you want the channel stored. For example key in 0 0 6. The word SAVE will be displayed and flash on the screen.

  3. Press F key to display YES? Press the F key again to confirm. The channel is now stored.

Deleting a channel is done in Memory mode.

  1. Press A/B to Select the band where the channel you’d like to delete is located.

  2. Press the F key followed by 2 3 to bring up DEL CH?

  3. Press the F key again to bring focus to the channel name line. Press the UP/DOWN buttons or the key in the channel number you would like to delete.

  4. Once the channel name is displayed, press the F key, YES will be displayed. Press the F key again and the channel will be deleted.

BCM-220

Yes! It is easily programmed through the front display. See the Owner's Manual, Chapter Four for more information.  

Sorry, no. The mic is powered and using another mic can damage the radio. 

It can produce 10W max into a 4 ohm speaker

Go to the FTDI USB Chip web site driver page. Once there open the Installation Guide and open the document for your windows version. Follow the guide to determine you need a VCP (Virtual Com Port) driver and download the driver for your version of Windows. Then continue to follow the FTDI Installation Instructions. Once complete plug in your programming cable and read your radio. Congrats, you are all set!

BCR Repeater

No. You'll need to recreate a NEW profile and write in.

It requires 2 antennas, one for each band. No duplexer is required.

For Amateur radio try http://www.arrl.org/frequency-coordinators. For Commercial radio try http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/frequency-coordination.  


Very possibly, maybe by leaning on the front of the repeater. Here is how to turn it on or off. With the repeater on, press and hold the volume button. It's that easy!

Repeater mode selection, alignment menu, monitor to mute/unmute the front panel speaker, volume and menu adjustments. To access the alignment menu, press-n-hold the RPTR button for approx 2 seconds.

It's most likely The RX and TX PL tone has been mistakenly programmed to USER 0 rather than USER 1.  USER 0 is reserved for SYSOP (System Operator) usage and is designed to not repeat calls but rather to communicate with the repeater.

You have the "CSQ Repeat" checkbox checked. This checkbox is located in the receiver section of the EDIT CHANNEL form of the programmer.

Either enable your controller to turn on Tx Pre-emphasis or you need to turn on the repeater's TX Pre-emphasis. This is done by checking the Pre-emphasis checkbox in the Transmitter section of the EDIT CHANNEL form.

Most likely you're pre-emphasizing the transmit audio twice. Either turn off the TX pre-emphasis in your controller or turn it off in the repeater.

The COS/COR output line from the repeater is an active low OPEN DRAIN output. Therefore the COS/COR output requires a pull-up resistor to the voltage your controller requires for recognizing a HIGH. The reason for the OPEN DRAIN output is this allows the repeater to be connected to all kinds of different controllers.

Using a radio that supports transmitting of DTMF, simply key 5555#. For more information check out the Video on remote mode.

While transmitting with the SYSOP PL, key 7777#.

Yes, the back of the BCR repeater has a set of binding post for supplying DC power, like a 12V battery.  The input has an inline fuse. In the event the repeater is powered from a rechargeable battery, the internal power supply can be made to trickle charge the battery.

We recommend you use the Complete Raspberry Pi3/STM32_DVM Combo at this link; http://www.repeater-builder.com/products/stm32-dvm.html. Then all the setup and support is through the repeater-builder.com site. The repeater will need to be in repeater mode, which can be found in the owners manual.

D-STAR

A great resource for getting started on D-STAR is www.dstar101.com

MV-1

It is easy, but not plug and play unless you are using the default set up.  You will need experience programming your external peripherals to work with an external device.  You will also need to know how to create the TL-NET talk map. I would recommend you read the MV and MVi Series Quick Start Guide and for more detail the TL-NET and MV Series Operator Guide. 

Stay tuned, more to come.