The Tytera MD-9600 Dual Band, Dual Mode Transceiver

The Tytera MD9600 VHF - UHF mobile transceiver operating in both Analog FM and DMR mode. Operation is from 136 - 174 MHz and 420 - 480 MHz. RF transmitting power is around 46 - 50 watts on VHF and appox 45 watts on UHF. The display is clear and sharp. The advanced TDMA technology and DMR Tier II is compatible with Motorola TRBO and DMR Tier II. There are 250 zones available with 16 channels for each Zone. Advanced features include CTCSS/DCS, channel scan, priority scan, short text message features, DTMF mic and VOX. The radio is available as the updated latest series II from Martin Lynch & Sons. Series II has addressed all of the issues that were present on the original model. The  reviews would seem to praise this radio at the end of  the day. The Retevis RT 90 is exactly the same radio re branded. 

What is in the Box

The Tytera MD 9600
The mounting Bracket
12V Power Cable
User Guide
Driver and Software CD
Programming Cable

The MD9600 was specifically designed with the Radio Amateur in mind. The radio is capable of running full power as it has a heavy duty heat sink and built in fan. Anyone who has a Tytera Dual Band Handheld  radio will be relieved to know that it is possible to import the existing code plug to get the radio on air quickly.

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Receiver

The receiver has very good sensitivity on both analog and digital modes with good clear, loud and undistorted audio. Whilst not a big deal, in my opinion, the audio is a little on the treble side but when an external speaker is added the quality is a great improvement. Most mobile radios suffer from this problem so really nothing to worry about.

Transmitter

The power levels are consistent across the ranges 136, 174 MHz and 400 - 480 MHz. The radio has four power settings on VHF 5, 8, 18, and 45 Watts, and on UHF 5, 9, 16, and 40 Watts.

Firmware

The MD9600 is fully upgradeable and from time to time new upgrades become available and this process is easy enough to perform. This essentially keeps the radio up to date.

Programming

Like all DMR Radios, this one has to be programmed with channels of choice. This is not an onerous task and following conventions on the EI5DD website it will be easy enough with practice. Start simple with a handful of channels on each Band and then expand. The important thing is to get it up and running as quickly as possible. If you are not willing to program your own radio, it should be possible to obtain a Code Plug from your own coverage area. Do not be afraid to ask as most operators are only too glad to assist another on the air. 

Whilst it is possible to program from the microphone keypad, this is fine in an emergency but cumbersome and frustrating in normal usage.

Downloads

The latest Software and Firmware packages may be downloaded  >>> Here

Where possible keep the radio's Firmware up to date when updating the Firmware download the most recent version of CPS as well.

This is an excellent radio which ticks all the boxes as  high quality mobile radio. The issues encountered in the earlier series of MD 9600 have been resolved.

If you wish to change the colour of the LED back light for the screen  >>> Here

Notes on Programming the CPS for this Radio may be found on the EI5DD Pages >>> Here

A Code plug for the Galway area will shortly be available from Steve EI5DD

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The IRTS Weekend Hosted by the Galway VHF Group 2018

It was very much by accident that the Galway hosted this, the 86th Annual General Meeting Weekend of the IRTS. It was to be held in Cork but they decided against it and passed it over. The Galway VHF Group put their name forward at the last minute following a brief call to the Galway Bay Hotel. This is, in fact, the 4th IRTS Function organised by Steve EI5DD. The first was in 1985 in the Warwick Hotel, Galway (sadly the Warwick closed in 2008), the Second was 1992 in  the Royal Hoey Hotel, Athlone, the Third in the Galway Bay Hotel 2014 and this one in the Galway Bay Hotel for 2018. The service and facilities were excellent as on the previous occasion.

On Saturday the 14th at 2pm a series of talks were given on the Following topics. "Getting Started with Digital Radio" by Steve Wright, "The 7Q7EI Dxpedition", by Enda Broderick EI2II, "The FT8 Digital Mode" by Keith Wallace EI5KO, and "Having fun in Space" by Graham Shirville, G3VZV. The talks were of 45 minutes duration and saw a good attendance and great interest. Special thanks to all of the lectures who presented their specialist subjects.

 Steve EI5DD lecturing on DMR

 Enda EI2II and Pat O'Connor EI9HX lecturing on the 7Q7EI  Dxpedition

 Keith Wallace EI5KO lecturing on the FT8 Digital Mode

 Graham Shirville G3VZV lecturing on Satellite Operation

The Annual Dinner took place at 7:30 pm and this was attended by 69 people. The food and service was excellent. It was a shame that a number had booked tickets and didn't show which placed a burden on our group given that we had to book for 75 and naturally the Hotel held us to this number.

Steve, EI5DD, welcoming the guests

Steve & Hilary Wright

John Anderson, MI0AAZ,  and Mary 

Joe Fadden, EI3IX

Tom Rea, EI2GP, and Loretta
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A view of the function room

IRTS President Gerry Gervin EI8CC

A really great night was enjoyed by all following the excellent meal. A quick draw for spot prizes took place which added to the fun of the evening.
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The following day was devoted to the Rally and AGM so it was an early start to ensure that the tables were marked and ready for their traders. One had to ensure that nobody encroached on the allocation for a neighbouring trader.
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Early Morning and the traders just arriving. Mike EI0CL was the first in and had a huge stand 

 Joe EI3IX at the Mayo VHF Group Stand

Steve EI5DD and John Anderson MI0AAZ at the Brandmeister Digital Radio Stand

Mark Bannon and John Anderson in deep discussion about DMR Repeaters
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 Raymond Long - Long Communications

Philip Hosey and the Region 8 RSGB team manning the RSGB stand

Jimmy Kelly, running the Mayo Radio Experimenters Club Stand

 

Jimmy Kelly and Padraig Baynes 

Two rogues Mike EI0CL and Steve EI5DD
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This and the next 7 Pictures show a sample of Mike, EI0CL's, goodies

Peter Green EI2IU

  Arek, EI9GWB, selling customised shack accesssories see items below

A handmade Shack Sign made for EI5DD

Sean with his 2nd hand commercial radio products

 The IRTS Stand manned by Pat Fitzpatrick

 

Silent Key Equipment at the end of the IRTS Stand

During the Rally CW tests were run by Dave Moore, EI4BZ, and there were two applicants who passed with ease. The Annual General Meeting of the IRTS took place at 2pm and the rally closed shortly after this time. It would be appropriate to thank all of the traders and Radio Clubs who were kind enough to attend and make this rally so successful. There was an excellent turn out for this rally. The proceeds of the weekend will be going towards our new DMR Repeater, antenna and feeders.

 The AGM in full swing

 John Brown EI7FAB receiving his trophy for the 1296 MHz contest

Steve EI5DD receiving the Kevin Freeney Trophy for Experimentation and Innovation. This was for time devoted to the promotion of Digital Radio both locally and Nationally.

This was a really enjoyable weekend and we thank the Galway Bay Hotel for their excellent service through out he weekend and during the organisation of the event. Special thanks to all those who attended the lectures, the AGM dinner and the large crowd from far and wide who attended the rally. We also thank the traders who put on a great show and contributed to the huge success of the Rally.

We thank Joe EI3IX and Joe EI7GY for their pictures shown above.

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New Product - Inrico TM-7 - Is It Real Radio?

The Inrico TM-7, a best seller network radio and is the first mobile network Radio. Great for amateur radio use with the new IRN platform, for Zello, Team Speak 3 and Echolink via 3G or WiFi. And it works as WiFi hotspot too! This network radio is fully compatible with the International Radio Network (IRN) and with the new Echolink for Android.  

What follows is not an APRIL FOOL JOKE.

  

Wot? - It looks a like a Motorola!

What is in the box?

The Inrico TM-7 comes complete with Microphone, Power Lead and GPS antenna. On switch on, it is blatantly obvious that the operating system is that of an Android Phone. As an optional extra, one can obtain a small mag mounted Cellular Antenna. It should be noted that there is a provision to insert a cellular network sim card into the underside of the radio. The actual data useage is not that heavy.

It is necessary to import a few apps from the Google Play Store such as APRS Droid, Teamspeak 3 and Echolink for Android and perhaps even Zello. Provided that you have registered with Echolink, it is a case of entering your callsign and password and away you go on Echolink. Absolutely no problem as it will work first time.

APRS Droid requires a small payment for the app followed by the entry of a registration key and the app will fire up very quickly once the GPs antenna is connected to the "Radio". There is no problem with any part of the route. Operation on APRS via 2 metres would often see parts of the route missing due to poor coverage. Cellular towers cover pretty much everywhere nowadays.

Teamspeak 3 is required to link into other Amateur Radio Applications. After download, it is necessary to join the International Radio Network to obtain the privilege key to allow access to the amateur radio transmitting areas. A simple process, without the necessity to upload the license. After filling out  the necessary online forms, the IRN team check QRZ.com, and other areas, to ensure that your details are correct before issuing the key. I stress here that unless you can prove that you are a radio amateur, you will not get the key.

 

There are a number of zones in the IRN server which cater for Amateur Radio. The most popular is the UK Hub and one may find repeaters and other Amateur Groups linked together. To select a particular station, or net, one uses the touch screen. This is not too easy as my fingers are a bit large for the small display, however, the stylus for the Android tablet does come in handy. 

Operating this "Radio" is no different to the operation of any other VHF/UHF black box radio. Just press the PTT and talk. In fairness, this all happens via the data connection on the WiFi or 4G Network. The audio quality is excellent on both Echolink and on the networks available via Teamspeak 3 and the International Radio Network. The UK Hub is connected to Echolink, DMR, D-Star, Wires-X and a couple of Repeaters. Searching through other areas, there are nets from the UK, Australia, the States, and South Africa to name a few. Temporary groups may be set up for private chats amongst individual hams. There is always activity on this device from many parts of the world.

Zello can be added and it is possible to chat to non-radio hams and for personal use. This would not enable connection into the zones where amateur radio operation takes place.

The RT4 4G /LTE is a handheld radio that would pair nicely with this device and an added bonus is that it doubles as a mobile phone. It provides all the functions of the TM-7 but you can make mobile phone calls as well. It is chunky and has an antenna sticking out of the top. The antenna has nothing to do with phone or communications. It is the GPS antenna.

Is it Real Radio?

The debate can go on for ever. Looking back in time, it could be said by CW operators that the new AM mode was not real radio. The introduction of SSB caused more discontent and, to cap it all, the introduction of FM was the end of the world. I remember saying that FM would never catch on in the 1960s as there were very few using it - a bit like comments about digital radio today. FM resulted in the introduction of Repeaters and then it was really necessary to hold up the crucifix. In time, this sacrilege soon became acceptable and the norm. One should not forget that, as time progressed, many Analog repeaters were linked via IRLP and Echolink and the first generation of Yaesu's Wires system. 

Whilst discussing Digital Radio, at an IRTS Lecture in Dundalk, two Radio Amateurs became quite irate and irrational, saying that Digital Radio would never be encouraged in their area - end of story. Famous last words me thinks! Their part of the country now has the highest uptake of Digital Radio according to the DMR listings and I am sure that they will have a DMR repeater in their City sooner or later. The circle turns!

A well seasoned HF contest operator would throw forty fits at the thought of an internet connection to a major HF radio installation in a beautifully RF quiet area. I am sure that WiFi radio would provoke instantaneous Hari Kari in his case.

Looking at another angle, one has to see the way commercial broadcasting has developed. Not only is it Digital but almost all commercial broadcasters stream via the internet and can be picked up on WiFi radios or mobile phones with the correct app. Nobody bats an eyelid about this and it is an excellent opportunity to listen to stations in HiFi quality from locations all over the world.

Commercial two way radio is very much influenced and controlled via the internet whether it be by DMR or TETRA operation. Security companies would be lost without video feeds from remote sites via the internet. Taxi companies are a prime user of 4G internet communications.

Yes things are changing, and we, as radio amateurs, will have to adapt, adopt and improve as this is what we do. DMR, D-Star, Yaesu Fusion, P25 and NXDN all have an input and output via the internet somewhere along the line. One can transmit into a repeater or gateway in Galway and come out in Australia over another repeater. Hey - how many sit patiently waiting for DX on the HF bands. Australia is not DX on Digital Modes! A few seconds of a call will bring up an Australian station almost immediately on Digital Radio - no pile ups or poor operating here. Digital operators are gentlemen.

The formation of interlinked modes, Echolink and repeaters into a Hub has proven successful and it has enabled a number of operators who just cannot transmit on an external antenna or who are not in the range of a repeater to communicate. 

If you are not into Amateur Radio, this is the ideal system to keep in touch with family and friends all over the world via Zello or other personal talk areas not associated with the licenced operator's area. The cost is minimal.

Whatever floats the boat at the end of the day. To quote Chris, G7DDN, "Does the fact that one transmits on cellular frequencies at 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz or on Wi-Fi on 2.4GHz or 5GHz matter? Is there something intrinsically evil about that? Is there more virtue in using 14 MHz or 144 MHz, for example? They are just “frequencies” after all".

This article does not reflect the view of the Galway VHF Group apart from the avid texters WattsApp and mobile phone users. As they will say in the future, "You are 5 9, whats your IMEI Number - QSL"!

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Galway County 70cm Repeater EI7AKR

The Galway 70cm Repeater, EI7AKR, located at Knockroe, Abbeyknockmoy, continues to give an excellent service and coverage throughout county Galway and into adjacent counties. All of the roads leading in and out of Galway have a good strong signal from this repeater and it is possible to drive from just outside of Limerick through to Claremorris Co. Mayo with a strong signal for the majority of the journey.

Like all of the repeaters around the country, this does not seem to be very busy and if not used, there will be fewer monitoring the output. It would seem a shame that one almost has to make a phone call to another operator to get a contact on this Repeater, but, sadly this is the state of play nowadays. 

If you have equipment in the car take time to listen on 430.825 and transmit on 438.425 (+7.6 MHz)  CTCSS tones of 77 Hz are required to access the repeater. The repeater does also transmit 77 Hz CTCSS tones which will ensure that you receive no interference on channel when the repeater is not transmitting.

Do spare a thought for this repeater as it has huge potential and is just standing by for use

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Have You Tried the Worlwide Net on DMR TG 91 16:00 UTC Saturday Evenings?

The TalkGroup 91 Worldwide net takes place on TalkGroup 91 commencing at 16:00 UTC on Saturday evenings. The net commences with call-ins from the Far East and working across the continents in a westerly  direction where the last call-ins are taken from the individual States of America.

This is a great opportunity to access the activity on DMR and also to note the countries that call into the net. Naturally, the amount of call-ins from some areas will coincide with the early hours of the morning but sometimes it can be surprising that even these countries will input the the net despite the early hours in their location. 

The net controller will request the countries that he wishes to call in. The station will then give the following reply Call sign ...... , Name ...... , QTH ........ and finally the words "No Traffic" if there is no emergency or information for the net. Do not try to enter into a QSO as this is just for check-ins from each country.

When the net is finished,  the Net controller will correlate all the calls and place the table on the website at http://www.ac2he.com/ usually by 10pm at the latest. The chart below is the typical summary of the net held on Saturday afternoons.
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As illustrated, there are a wealth of participants on this Net and a good indication of interest and support around the world. Well worth a try and also an opportunity to put your area on the map.

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Galway City Multimode Digital Gateway EI2GCD

On Monday the 13th of November 2017, the Galway City Multi mode Digital Gateway was pressed into service. The Digital Gateway is fabricated from a Motorola GM350, Raspberry Pi, Arduino Due and a MMDVM modem board. See Picture below.

With assistance from John MI0AAZ on Team Viewer, the program was initially set up on the Raspberry Pi. Unfortunately, the setting of the Transmit and Receive audio levels were critical and required setting on a spectrum analyser. John McCarthy EI8JA had performed this task on his own Repeater and offered to set these critical levels for us. The Repeater was returned and a decision was taken to load the Pi-Star software on the Raspberry Pi as it was easier to manage and set up. 

At the same time Joe, EI3IX, had built a similar system for the Mayo area. It was decided that we would adopt the same Software for his Gateway. The aim was to place the two systems on air together.

Once Pi-Star was installed on both systems it was possible to mimic the settings and they both worked with a few minor problems that were easy enough to rectify.  A Skype chat between Mayo, Galway and Northern Ireland enabled final checks and the Gateways were powered within minutes of each other.

The GM350 and the Raspberry Pi booted up together with the status lights indicating that all was well.

Following tests on both Yaesu Fusion and DMR, the system appeared to be connecting to the server and stations were being heard by the system. A typical screen shot from the Pi-Star dashboard is shown below.

The dashboard was well populated in a very short space of time with DMR contacts. Yaesu Fusion was tested later and proved to be functioning well. The Brandmeister Dashboard revealed the connection was functioning properly on both DMR and Fusion.

A look at the network map showed the Gateway positioned in its corrrect location in Galway City.

The map coordinates were interpreted properly on this occasion unlike my DV Mega which was shown about a mile further east from my home location. 

Whilst there is not a huge amount to activity in Galway, this system will, at least, bring some activity to those who do go on the air and also provide an opportunity to operate whilst mobile in the car or walking with a handheld radio.

For further information about this project see the EI5DD Blog >>  click here
Further information about Digital Radio may also be found on the EI5DD Blog.

Special thanks to John Anderson MI0AAZ, John McCarthy EI8JA, and Joe EI3IX who were all involved in the set up and final testing phase of this Gateway.

Parameters and operation: Click>>>  HERE
 

Specifications of the Galway City Gateway

Call sign EI2GCD

Location Galway City

Frequency 144.8500 MHz

Time slot 2 

Colour code 1

Default DMR Talk Group TG 2722 ( Ireland Calling) 

Default Yaesu Fusion Server IE YSF Ireland

Sysop Steve EI5DD - reports welcomed >> HERE

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Specifications of the Mayo Gateway 

Call sign EI2DOD

Location 10m East of Castlebar Co. Mayo

Frequency 144.8250 MHz

Time Slot 2

Colour Code 1

Default DMR Talk Group TG 2722 (Ireland Calling)

Default Yaesu Fusion Server IE YSF Ireland 

Sysop Joe EI3IX - reports welcomed>> HERE

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Galway City DMR Repeater EI7RHD

A proposal has been made to set up a DMR repeater for the Galway area operating from a site near Circular road on the West side of the City. Our group was offered a reasonably priced Hytera 985 repeater which was really not to be refused. 

This Repeater is a Commercial system easily programmed to operate on the 70cms band. Once connected into the internet, it will network with the Brandmeister Server located in Waterford giving connectivity o a worldwide basis . The Hytera is capable of running 50 watts but we will reduce this to 30 watts as there is little point in running it to the extremes of its capabilities. 

The cavity filters are situated on the chassis. and, unlike an analog repeater, these cavities will operate quite comfortably at 30 watts without warming. As the DMR signal is 50% duty cycle, these will run and remain cool and stable. There is a facility to run an Analog signal from this repeater but this may be a conflict of interest. There is already a 70cm Analog Repeater in the City and also EI7AKR situated in a rural area to the East.

The proposed coverage from site chosen is as follows:

The antenna will be a vertical system which is a 3 x 5/8 colinear antenna giving a reasonable gain over a dipole. This plot was derived assuming 30 watts power and the antenna with a gain of 9dB. over a dipole. 

This will be the third DMR repeater to be established in Ireland and will be networked into the existing Brandmeister system. 

This Repeater will facilitate those with an interest in DMR and the development of this aspect of the hobby. The networking capabilities are endless and will ensure that any activity in Ireland will be transmitted to our area. 

To see more of the digital facilities around Ireland click here
EI7RHD Web page click >> Here

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