First the bad news. Our EPA Section Talkgroup on Brandmeister has been canceled.
I have not received an explanation from the Brandmeister Administrators explaining why we were canceled after having received permission.
I know many people where using it and a lot of Digital Repeaters had added the Talkgroup. I’m sorry, but it’s gone and there appears to be nothing we can do about it.
However, not being one to give up easily, I have talked with owners of other Talkgroups and think we have hit on a better solution for an EPA Digital Net.
We have received permission to hold a weekly net on the PA Crossmode Talkgroup. This is great because the Crossmode Talkgroup allows communication with amateurs using other modes of Digital Communications.
I’m including a summary which covers how to connect to PA Crossmode TG32425 from various commonly used digital modes.
Please ask your local digital repeaters to add a gateway to PA Crossmode TG31425 if it’s not already included.
I can’t answer specific questions about the various modes. Up here in the boonies I only have DMR through a Hotspot. However, I do have experts available on the other modes that will gladly answer any questions.
At the bottom of this email I’m including instructions for connecting.
Now, my original goal for DMR was to have a Section-wide calling Talkgroup. Obviously that plan was negated by the lack of cooperation from Brandmeister.
Mark Wheeler, KZ3MW, has offered a solution.
We already have the Northeast PA Talkgroup (TG31424), commonly called NEPA, running on repeaters that pretty well cover Eastern Pennsylvania.
We have been invited to begin using NEPA (TG31424) as our calling frequency.
Effective today, I will begin monitoring PA Crossmode and NEPA for anyone wishing to contact me.
Within the next week I will announce a date for the inaugural PA Digital Net on PA Crossmode (TG31425)
I apologize for the delay and many complications which have come up.
Let’s make this new mode a reality. Watch for an announcement soon.
By the way, if you’re available on Wednesday at 1 PM, join the NEPA Net on TG31425 and don’t forget the Statewide net on TG3142 Tuesday evenings at 8 PM.
See the connection information below for other supported modes.
Hope to see you on the air soon.
George Miller W3GWM@arrl.org
Phone: (570)250-1007
How to Connect with PA Cross Mode
Overview:
PA Cross Mode, is a Pennsylvania Wide Talk Group which allows different digital voice protocols to talk with each other. Communications is accomplished by the cooperation of XLX Reflector technology and Brandmeister’s TG 31425. The Brandmeister talk group is the glue that connects the XLX reflectors and the various repeaters which are integrated into the system. The system has been piloted in the Lehigh Valley Area of Eastern PA, and allows the major digital protocols to freely communicate without hotspots by a series of interconnected repeaters, and the XLX Reflector systems. The system is available to any ham in Pennsylvania (or globally), through the use of hotspots.
Connecting with DMR:
Probably the simplest connection is accomplished with a DMR Repeater which has access to Brandmeister (BM) TG31425. Any traffic so connected, will be distributed throughout the system, and transcoded into YSF (Fusion), DSTAR, P25, and NXDN by the XLX reflector technology.
Any traffic entering the system through any of the non-DMR protocols will be transcoded into all the other protocols including DMR and DSTAR.
So, the easiest way to get into the system with DMR is to link to Brandmeister TG 31425.
Hotspot users can also link to DMR on XLX045A or XLX545B. Step-by-step instructions are included in the info.pennlinkgroup.com website, under the Downloads tab.
Of course, local DMR repeaters can offer a connection to TG31425, which allows you to connect through the repeater. Don’t forget that you will have to add a Zone/Channel to your radio which has the proper frequencies for your hotspot or repeater, and a group call to TG 31425.
Connecting with YSF (Fusion):
Probably the second easiest way to enter the system is with a Fusion transceiver and a hotspot. There are also step-by-step instructions for this at info.pennlinkgroup.com. There are two YSF Reflectors set-up as inputs to the system at US Penn-Link_1 for XLX045A, and US Penn-Link_3 for XLX545B. Just connect your hotspot to either of these two reflectors, and you will be connected to PA Cross-Mode.
Connecting with DSTAR:
Connecting with DSTAR: Connecting with DSTAR can be a bit more complex, but with the use of either an OpenSpot or Pi-Star based hotspot it’s very easy. Each of the XLX Reflectors have a fully functional DSTAR Reflector as an internal element. Each also has the ability to accept connections from D-Plus, D-Extra, or DCS DSTAR protocols. We suggest connections to DCS045A or DCS545B. There are step-by-step procedures for this connection at info.pennlinkgroup.com for both OpenSpot and Pi-Star hotspots.
DSTAR Repeaters can also participate in PA Cross Mode. The complexity of these connections depends on the type of Gateway which is installed on the repeater. Two differing systems are detailed below. W3OI-C DSTAR Repeater, Allentown, PA – This repeater has a G3 Gateway installed, and has a primary mission to serve as a County Emergency Communications System. The G3 Gateway normally only allows connection with D-Plus (REF) reflectors.
There is custom software installed on W3OI, which allows connection directly to XLX045A, the home reflector for the Cross Mode System. To link, the following command is stored in the radio’s “Your Call Sign” memory: ‘PENNLNKL’ To unlink select the ‘PENNLNKU’ To use the link, select ‘PENNLNK’. WA3PNYB/C DSTAR Repeater, Macungie, PA – This repeater has a QuadNet Gateway installed, and allows direct connections to D-Plus, D-Extra, and DCS external systems. To use this, the following command is stored in the radio’s “Your Call Sign” memory: XLX045AL or XLX545BL to link. The standard “Unlink Reflector” and “Use Reflector” are used to unlink or use the connection.
There is a third method for DSTAR systems to link into the system.
Penn-Link Group also maintains an X-Reflector: XRF245. Linking to XRF245A will result in connection to the Crossmode TG.
Connecting with P25:
Connecting with P25 is easy with either an OpenSpot or Pi-Star hotspot or a P25 Repeater. For hotspots, enable the P25 mode, and then select TG
31425 in the P25 server list. Don’t forget that you will have to add a Zone/Channel to your radio which has the proper frequencies for your hotspot or repeater, and a group call to TG 31425. There are step-by-step instructions at info.pennlinkgroup.com under the Downloads tab.
Connecting with NXDN:
Connecting with NXDN can be easy with either an OpenSpot hotspot or a NXDN Repeater. For hotspots, enable the NXDN mode, and then select TG
31425 in the NXDN server list. Don’t forget that you will have to add a Zone/Channel to your radio which has the proper frequencies for your hotspot or repeater, and a group call to TG 31425.
There are step-by-step instructions at info.pennlinkgroup.com under the Downloads tab. NXDN is still considered to be Experimental by our development team, and radio differences sometimes cause problems with linkage. WA3PNY Pi-Star repeater has NXDN working using external a Motorola CDM-1550 receiver and transmitter along with a ZUM MMDVM Radio Pi Hat.
What to Expect?
When you are properly linked to the system, you should expect to hear all stations, no matter what protocol they are using. We hope that you are successful in the use of the system, and are ready to offer help if you run into problems.
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ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section
Section Manager: George W Miller, W3GWM
w3gwm@arrl.org
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