Talk Groups, Time Slots and Colour Codes
The DMR system uses “colour codes” which function in a very similar fashion to CTCSS tones on analogue repeaters. A radio programmed with one colour code will not be able to transmit on a repeater programed with another.
All VK DMR network repeaters and hotspots use colour code 1.
Each DMR repeater connected to the network has two time slots, and each slot has a number of talk groups.
VK DMR repeaters and hotspots use the following slots and talk groups. Note that you don’t need to program every one of these TG’s
Time Slot 2 – TG505 -> TG505 is meant to be used as a “Call Talk Group”.
TG505 keys every VK repeater and connected hotspot. Once you have established contact with another station please QSY off TG505 to a TS1 Talk Group to leave TG505 free for others to call.
TGs in black are static – always on.
TGs in blue are user activated (UA – you need to “kerchunk” them).
User activated TGs are activated by pressing your PTT for about 2 seconds with the TG selected. Only repeaters and hotspots used in the QSO are connected.
Time slot 1 |
Time slot 2 |
TG 1 WW Worldwide |
TG 505 Calling and the Tuesday evening net |
TG 3 USA |
TG9990 Parrot – Repeaters or Duplex Hotspots (Time slot 1 for Simplex Hotspots) |
TG 5 Broadcasts |
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TG 8 Regional/State connections (May be revised) |
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TG 9 Local |
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TG 13 WWE World Wide English |
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TG 3JOTA (Scouts) |
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TG 53 Chat |
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TG 80 UK Chat |
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TG 113 |
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TG 123 |
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TG 133 USA |
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TG 143 TAC English |
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TG 153 TAC English |
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TG 310 USA TAC |
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TG 320 and 321 XLX Quadnet 1 and 2 |
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TG 530 ZL – DMR+ NZ |
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TG 870 Wales |
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TG 880 Northern Ireland |
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TG 1910 ARNSW Linked Repeaters |
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TG 1911 FNQ Linked Repeaters |
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TG 1921 Scouts Victoria |
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TG 1922 Scouts Victoria |
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TG 1923 Scouts Victoria |
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TG 1924 Scouts Victoria |
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TG 2351 UK Calling |
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TG 3167 USA DMR AllStar |
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TG 3191 Digital Radio |
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TG 3199 Skywarn & WX |
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TG 3801 – 3809 Chat – Not state based anymore |
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TG 3810 WICEN |
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TG 8406 DMR MARC Net |
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TG 8409 CQ-UK Fusion/Wires X (UK TG 4409) |
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TG 8509 VK/ZL Sport |
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TG 8540 XLX 313A Constellation |
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TG 8555 South Pacific |
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TG8454 XLX600E – peanut |
TG’s are explained in detail below, where necessary.
TIME SLOT 1
Time Slot 1 – TG1 = world wide calling – keys EVERY DMR repeater on the worldwide DMR+ network
Time slot 1 – TG3 = US wide
Time slot 1 – TG5 = used for broadcasts.
Time Slot 1 – TG9 = Keys your local repeater only
Time Slot 1 – TG13 = worldwide English calling channel. Keys every repeater on the United Kingdom Phoenix DMR network.
Time Slot 1 – TG30 = Used for JOTA. May be used for general comms at other times.
Time Slot 1 – TG113/123/143/153 = international user activated chat channels. Normally used after a call on TG1 or 13. Be aware that these channels are used internationally.
Time Slot 1 – TG53, TG3801-3809 and TG3810 = user activated chat channels for VK. 3810 is intended for WICEN, but may be used for normal ops when WICEN is not using it.
Time slot 1 – TG80 = 80 is used as a chat channel on the UK Phoenix DMR network. It is quite active, and worth a listen.
Time slot 1 – TG530 = Connects to Slot 2 on the ZL network – Presently only passes ZL DMR ID’s.
Time slot 1 – TG8409 = CQ-UK Wires X – Fusion cross mode.
Time slot 1 – TG8540 = Connects to XLX 313A constellation.
Time slot 1 – TG1910 = links repeaters supplied by AR NSW. 1910 was the year AR NSW (known as the WIA then) was formed.
Time slot 1 – TG1911 = links FNQ repeaters only – replaces TG8 for those repeaters.
Time slot 1 – TG1921/22/23/24 = Scout Victoria supplied repeaters.
The TG8 groups are as follows:
TG8 Group | Repeaters linked |
Simplex Operation:
If you are close to another operator you can use DMR simplex to chat directly to each other, without a repeater or hotspot.
Simplex channel configuration as follows:
- Colour code 1
- Talk Group 99
- Slot 1
Frequency 439.200 simplex 70cm – See band plan for other frequencies.