Digital Ham Radio An Introduction to DMR and Fusion Or, how I came to the “dark side”… George W. Eckart (WB9KXD) and like it!

Why Digital Ham Radio?? Excellent audio quality The draw of new technology The opportunity to easily communicate world-wide from a comfortable couch in your own home or radio room The availability of new access routs The affordability of some of the equipment

Technical Background

2. Voice plus data (message, pics) DMR Fusion Origins in commercial communications Digital/Analog radios (mono band) Uses TDMA technology 12.5 Khz bandwidth provides room for two independent 6.25 Khz equivalent channels Allows two independent conversations to be conducted simultaneously Can integrate voice, sms messaging, APRS and GPS* data Is not field programable Created by Yaesu for HAMS Digital/Analog Radios (dual band) Uses FDMA technology 12.5 Khz bandwidth is dedicated to one robust multi-use channel Variable use of bandwidth allows user to determine what kind of data is transmitted 1. Full voice 2. Voice plus data (message, pics) 3. Full data Is easily programed in the field

Audio Quality

DMR Fusion Very Good Very Good A higher voice quality option is available but usually not used

Easily Communicate locally, Throughout the State, Across the Nation, or Around the World

Many may choose to utilize digital radios primarily for access to local repeaters Internet connectivity behind digital systems allows for communication well beyond the local community Analog Radio Definition An analog radio works by picking up the audio signal from the transmission site along radio frequency waves known as carriers. This allows listeners to tune into analog stations on FM/AM frequencies from home radio and car equipment. You listen to the electrical radio waves as they are transmitted directly from the radio station to your analog radio. These radios waves are transmitted continuously, without interruption to the sound. Pros of Analog Radios Analog radio waves broadcast a continuous signal, unlike digital transmissions, which means that every note of a melody is heard as a complete sound. This gives analog radio the ability to transmit a truer version of the original recording. Analog radios are eco-friendly by comparison to digital radios, which are computer driven. Cons of Analog Radio Analog radios pick up interference from other transmitting stations with relative ease, resulting in the crackle and hiss that can very often be heard in the background. Tuning into an analog station on your radio is manual and relies on the user selecting the desired station and pinpointing the best signal. Analog radios come supplied with a wire aerial, but this may be insufficient to pick up the best reception and you may need to purchase an additional aerial with better reception capabilities. Digital Radio Definition Digital radios work by picking up a processed signal which turns sound into patterns of digits (numbers) rather than the radio waves which are used for analogue transmissions. This type of signal uses a different digit for each respective note, which means that when a tune is played over digital radio the sound heard is actually a series of short individual notes rather than one continuous melody. These digital signals are transmitted via satellite to listeners' radios by the same technology as is used for digital television signals. Pros of Digital Radio Digital radios provide a clear sound and with less interference than traditional analog radios. Think of it as the difference between an LP and a CD. Digital signals are not affected by interference from other radio signals, making the sound sharper, and listeners will be able to select channels at the touch of a button without having to search for a station with a clear signal. As digital radios are effectively run by a computer chip with the ability to process information, they have the potential to become much more interactive, with the opportunity to provide additional services such as advertising or real-time weather reports via an on-screen display. Cons of Digital Radio Although digital radios generally have good reception, your radio may not pick transmissions up clearly if it is too far away from the nearest transmitter. Transmissions in your area may be limited, thereby decreasing the number of stations you will be able to hear. If you don't receive a good signal, you may need to purchase an additional aerial to enhance the signal. The Times Online (UK) reported that digital radios use four times the amount of energy than analog versions.

DMR DMR-MARC DMR-Plus Brandmeister Analog Radio Definition An analog radio works by picking up the audio signal from the transmission site along radio frequency waves known as carriers. This allows listeners to tune into analog stations on FM/AM frequencies from home radio and car equipment. You listen to the electrical radio waves as they are transmitted directly from the radio station to your analog radio. These radios waves are transmitted continuously, without interruption to the sound. Pros of Analog Radios Analog radio waves broadcast a continuous signal, unlike digital transmissions, which means that every note of a melody is heard as a complete sound. This gives analog radio the ability to transmit a truer version of the original recording. Analog radios are eco-friendly by comparison to digital radios, which are computer driven. Cons of Analog Radio Analog radios pick up interference from other transmitting stations with relative ease, resulting in the crackle and hiss that can very often be heard in the background. Tuning into an analog station on your radio is manual and relies on the user selecting the desired station and pinpointing the best signal. Analog radios come supplied with a wire aerial, but this may be insufficient to pick up the best reception and you may need to purchase an additional aerial with better reception capabilities. Digital Radio Definition Digital radios work by picking up a processed signal which turns sound into patterns of digits (numbers) rather than the radio waves which are used for analogue transmissions. This type of signal uses a different digit for each respective note, which means that when a tune is played over digital radio the sound heard is actually a series of short individual notes rather than one continuous melody. These digital signals are transmitted via satellite to listeners' radios by the same technology as is used for digital television signals. Pros of Digital Radio Digital radios provide a clear sound and with less interference than traditional analog radios. Think of it as the difference between an LP and a CD. Digital signals are not affected by interference from other radio signals, making the sound sharper, and listeners will be able to select channels at the touch of a button without having to search for a station with a clear signal. As digital radios are effectively run by a computer chip with the ability to process information, they have the potential to become much more interactive, with the opportunity to provide additional services such as advertising or real-time weather reports via an on-screen display. Cons of Digital Radio Although digital radios generally have good reception, your radio may not pick transmissions up clearly if it is too far away from the nearest transmitter. Transmissions in your area may be limited, thereby decreasing the number of stations you will be able to hear. If you don't receive a good signal, you may need to purchase an additional aerial to enhance the signal. The Times Online (UK) reported that digital radios use four times the amount of energy than analog versions.

Fusion FCS Wires-X (Wide-coverage Internet Repeater Enhancement System) Analog Radio Definition An analog radio works by picking up the audio signal from the transmission site along radio frequency waves known as carriers. This allows listeners to tune into analog stations on FM/AM frequencies from home radio and car equipment. You listen to the electrical radio waves as they are transmitted directly from the radio station to your analog radio. These radios waves are transmitted continuously, without interruption to the sound. Pros of Analog Radios Analog radio waves broadcast a continuous signal, unlike digital transmissions, which means that every note of a melody is heard as a complete sound. This gives analog radio the ability to transmit a truer version of the original recording. Analog radios are eco-friendly by comparison to digital radios, which are computer driven. Cons of Analog Radio Analog radios pick up interference from other transmitting stations with relative ease, resulting in the crackle and hiss that can very often be heard in the background. Tuning into an analog station on your radio is manual and relies on the user selecting the desired station and pinpointing the best signal. Analog radios come supplied with a wire aerial, but this may be insufficient to pick up the best reception and you may need to purchase an additional aerial with better reception capabilities. Digital Radio Definition Digital radios work by picking up a processed signal which turns sound into patterns of digits (numbers) rather than the radio waves which are used for analogue transmissions. This type of signal uses a different digit for each respective note, which means that when a tune is played over digital radio the sound heard is actually a series of short individual notes rather than one continuous melody. These digital signals are transmitted via satellite to listeners' radios by the same technology as is used for digital television signals. Pros of Digital Radio Digital radios provide a clear sound and with less interference than traditional analog radios. Think of it as the difference between an LP and a CD. Digital signals are not affected by interference from other radio signals, making the sound sharper, and listeners will be able to select channels at the touch of a button without having to search for a station with a clear signal. As digital radios are effectively run by a computer chip with the ability to process information, they have the potential to become much more interactive, with the opportunity to provide additional services such as advertising or real-time weather reports via an on-screen display. Cons of Digital Radio Although digital radios generally have good reception, your radio may not pick transmissions up clearly if it is too far away from the nearest transmitter. Transmissions in your area may be limited, thereby decreasing the number of stations you will be able to hear. If you don't receive a good signal, you may need to purchase an additional aerial to enhance the signal. The Times Online (UK) reported that digital radios use four times the amount of energy than analog versions.

Multiple Access

one can Access DMR & Fusion networks directly Analog Radio Definition An analog radio works by picking up the audio signal from the transmission site along radio frequency waves known as carriers. This allows listeners to tune into analog stations on FM/AM frequencies from home radio and car equipment. You listen to the electrical radio waves as they are transmitted directly from the radio station to your analog radio. These radios waves are transmitted continuously, without interruption to the sound. Pros of Analog Radios Analog radio waves broadcast a continuous signal, unlike digital transmissions, which means that every note of a melody is heard as a complete sound. This gives analog radio the ability to transmit a truer version of the original recording. Analog radios are eco-friendly by comparison to digital radios, which are computer driven. Cons of Analog Radio Analog radios pick up interference from other transmitting stations with relative ease, resulting in the crackle and hiss that can very often be heard in the background. Tuning into an analog station on your radio is manual and relies on the user selecting the desired station and pinpointing the best signal. Analog radios come supplied with a wire aerial, but this may be insufficient to pick up the best reception and you may need to purchase an additional aerial with better reception capabilities. Digital Radio Definition Digital radios work by picking up a processed signal which turns sound into patterns of digits (numbers) rather than the radio waves which are used for analogue transmissions. This type of signal uses a different digit for each respective note, which means that when a tune is played over digital radio the sound heard is actually a series of short individual notes rather than one continuous melody. These digital signals are transmitted via satellite to listeners' radios by the same technology as is used for digital television signals. Pros of Digital Radio Digital radios provide a clear sound and with less interference than traditional analog radios. Think of it as the difference between an LP and a CD. Digital signals are not affected by interference from other radio signals, making the sound sharper, and listeners will be able to select channels at the touch of a button without having to search for a station with a clear signal. As digital radios are effectively run by a computer chip with the ability to process information, they have the potential to become much more interactive, with the opportunity to provide additional services such as advertising or real-time weather reports via an on-screen display. Cons of Digital Radio Although digital radios generally have good reception, your radio may not pick transmissions up clearly if it is too far away from the nearest transmitter. Transmissions in your area may be limited, thereby decreasing the number of stations you will be able to hear. If you don't receive a good signal, you may need to purchase an additional aerial to enhance the signal. The Times Online (UK) reported that digital radios use four times the amount of energy than analog versions.

Digital Ham Radio An Introduction to DMR and Fusion George W. Eckart (WB9KXD)