If you are an owner of a TRBO repeater on Amateur Radio frequencies and wish to add your repeater to our IPSC network, then read on.  This page will lay out exactly what you need to know and a bit of what DCI needs from you to get your repeater onto our network. 

DCI and TRBO-6 as well as NorCal IPSC networks use Time Slot 1 as the main connection across our networks and cBridges.  We at DCI and TRBO-6 use Comm 1, a Talk Group for use on Time Slot 1 only.  Comm 1 is connected to everything that is on our networks on Time Slot 1.  It is they de-facto "interComm" channel and is actually the only Talk Group used on Time Slot 1 by DCI and TRBO-6 that is linked to every network on our cBridge.  NorCal and other networks use a different TG on their networks but it is patched into our Comm 1 seamlessly.

Your Time Slot 2 will not enabled for IPSC on our networks generally .  This allows you to use your repeater locally as you wish without any issues, controls, or involvement from DCI/TRBO-6.  At some point in the future it is possible for you to request to join DCI or TRBO-6 networks directly and make use of TS2 on IPSC as that will provide you additional resources if you wish to move away a your TS 2 local only status.  The requirements are more involved then those here on the Open Demo Network due to the nature of the multiple organizations administrative rules.  So coming onto the Open Demo is a simple  way for you to get to know us and conversely, for us to get to know you and your users.  The other benefit while not apparent possibly at this early point, is that you may wish to move over to another network or cBridge operation.  Our Open Demo is designed for that easy movement if you decide to test the water elsewhere.  So jump in, get your feet wet, learn TRBO, IPSC and more while you are here, with no strings or expectations.  Stay as long as you wish.  The point of the Open Demo is to be able to learn, get up to speed and maybe enjoy your time here but not make a long term commitment upfront.  The choice is yours.

OK, some details, rules and other nasty stuff:

We expect all repeaters to be open for use on Comm 1 to visitors and travelers.  Consider it an open repeater system.  Your use of Time Slot 2 is entirely up to you as it is NOT on the IPSC network normally.  Do not enable your TS2  for IPSC on our network unless you are given express permission by DCI.

Typically, you must first get your repeater on the air.  We don't really deal with RF, towers, frequencies or other stuff one deals with in a standard analog repeater system as we expect you to have that basic knowledge.  We can help with Internet settings, router UDP pin-holing (port-forwarding), ISPC settings, Talk Groups, codeplugs and user/system management.  If you have your repeater operational, even if only on a dummy load, you still may be able to join the Open Demo network.  Our focus is on TRBO aspects rather than the normal RF overhead of a typical analog repeater installation and we are happy to help you get up to speed on TRBO. 

The initial Info needed from you: your repeaters location, freqs, color code, ID, Call Sign, owners/trustee/system manager's names, Email and phone numbers, number of users and any other helpful information surrounding your system and it's coverage area.  If you a serious and wish to get your repeater on one of our networks, then request our application.  It is much more detailed and will provide you a quick path to the DCI Open Demo network or a more permanent slot on the DCI or TRBO-6 Networks if that may be your goal now or later.

DMR/MARC maintains a database set of client radio and repeater ID numbers.  Please insure that your repeater, HT and mobiles have an issued radio ID number that it is programmed into your equipment.  If you are using a client radio that is issued by your employer or otherwise is using a non-standard ID, this can cause issues.  If you are in this situation, mention it to us and the details so that we can determine if that will work on our networks as well as other affiliated networks.  We expect you to use our settings in your codeplugs when operating on any of our networks and additionally, when operating on our affiliated networks that are available through your use of DCI.  If you use the DCI codplug, you will be all set but for your radio ID numbers, repeater frequency and color code.  If you need a radio ID, get it here.

Our info:  We use Comm 1 (TG ID# 3777215) on Time Slot 1.  We will provide you with the master IP, master UDP port and the network authorization key.  We publish all our information otherwise on this website.  Do not use Private Call or any unauthorized talk groups on Time Slot 1 (nor TS2 if it's on our network).  No encryption; period!

You must keep your repeater firmware up to date.  It should never be more than 2 releases behind.  Motorola issues releases rather frequently.  Be prepared to update your repeater every 4-6 months.

Your client radios should also have firmware updates frequently.  While not quite as important as your repeater, firmware releases generally are issued for repeaters, HT's and Mobiles in the same set, so please make the effort to stay current regardless of your repeater being on a distant mountaintop as well as your client radios and your users client radios (you are responsible for regular users of your network too!)

Client radios have many more operational settings than your repeater and that programming can have a major adverse impact if not programmed correctly.  DCI publishes a standard network codeplug for US repeaters and networks and we highly encourage you to clone or paste in our settings.  Then copy one of the DCI zones for your own zone and then change the freq and color code for your use on our network.  DMR-MARC, NorCal and others may have slightly different setting and these setting are customized to match each network.  This is very IMPORTANT stuff.  Do NOT simply use a new radio's default codeplug and change the freq/color code and call it job well done.  Incorrect programming of client radios adversely affects our networks and can further affect other networks that we are linked into.  This includes includes Transmit Interrupt and overly loud client radio audio into the network, so Digital Mic AGC should NOT be enabled on your HT's and mobiles.   If you are not able to enter all the settings correctly, please ask us for help.  If you do it wrong and will not or cannot fix it, you will be tossed off the network.  Did I mention how important this portion of programming is?

Do not use RDAC, Air Shark or other 3rd party clients as they can cause major problems system-wide especially if left running for any length of time.  This would include any services that require ARS or otherwise poll or load the network with data.  Ask before you do it and we can consider the project.  We want to play and learn but we all have other networks that frown on adding drag their repeaters and networks.

More details on how to program your repeater and your client radios for our network operation are linked below.  We strongly suggest that you follow our programming details as it will help the entire network to run more smoothly.  Not all of our suggested programming follow Motorola default settings but we have developed these setting during our 3 years of TRBO IPSC experience.  So use ours unless you have more experience and if you do, please share it with us.  We are all about helping others and not keeping anything but our network keys, hidden from the TRBO community.