Note – this page is continually being developed as I map out more of the system, collate repeater data into a spreadsheet and then into a file you can download to add to your radio using N0GSG Contact Manager – so check back often as these are daily updates right now!
The Interstate DMR network consists of numerous repeaters in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, the District of Columbia and Florida.
As part of my project to develop a codeplug (programming) for my radio I started to map the repeaters to gain an understanding of how they are connected. Initially it was challenging as I found that repeaterbook listings were not up to date and indexing did not include all of the repeaters across the various states. Also not all the information needed to develop a codeplug was on the Interstate DMR web page, and you have to have a degree of technical knowledge to read the mapping spreadsheets to understand what talkgroups are on what repeaters full time, part time (push to talk – PTT) or not at all (and there is a lot of information on there!). This grew into a mind map, then several mind maps! I discovered, in talking to the system admin, how the repeaters are set up in “clusters” for the “local” talkgroup (TG2) and mapped this out. We then began cooperating to provide a different way to view and understand the network for those not technically minded or new to digital mobile radio (DMR).
The system is continually growing as more repeater owners join the network.
I hope this is useful to you. As I complete this project I’m working on developing a codeplug for the Interstate DMR network in the N0GSG contact manager format. I’m doing this because I use contact manager as it allows me to “copy” to my Anytone 578, 868 and 878 radios. Contact manager will allow you to incorporate into a codeplug for most of the DMR radios on the market.
If you use the Interstate DMR network consider making a donation (see their web page) to offset the costs to run the system.
If you use contact manager please consider doing the same. These folks put a lot of time and personal money into their projects.
As I complete the mapping for local clusters I’ll make cards available.
Local Clusters
“Local 2” or talkgroup 2 on the system group repeaters in clusters. So when you key up on talkgroup 2 you are bringing up multiple repeaters, these are “full time” (FT) connections. (At this time I’ve only mapped those repeaters that are connected full time in various clusters.)
Current “clusters” are:
South Central PA – SC PA
North East PA – NE PA
Western PA – W PA
Washington-Baltimore – W-B
Southern Maryland – S MD
West Central Florida – WCF
North East Ohio – NE OH
Tri-State (PA, NJ, DE)
Delaware
DelMarVA (DE, MD, VA, NJ)
You can connect to a cluster from a repeater that is on the network but not in that cluster by using the talkgroup associated with that cluster (in blue on the diagram), i.e., if you are on a repeater in Florida and want to bring up the South Central PA (SC PA) cluster you can use talkgroup 31423.
Some clusters can be accessed from a MMDVM (or another Brandmeister repeater) using the cluster talkgroup, i.e., you can access the north east PA (NE PA) cluster using talkgroup 31424). In the diagram those talkgroups with (BM) can be accessed this way.
As more repeaters come on line the system admin will add new clusters, such as central PA or northern PA. This will reduce the number of repeaters in a cluster that are brought up, especially as system data shows where conversations are occurring.