There is no question that DMR technology for hams has moved past the early-adopter phase and is now well into the mass adoption phase. The combination of an open source protocol and the availability of inexpensive, mass-produced Chinese DMR radios (in some cases for as low as $109 with a color display and free programming software), has made this possible. In addition to inexpensive new radios, there are a number of used, first generation Motorola and Hytera DMR radios for sale in flea markets. These radios perform just as well as the current models, but have less memory.
D-STAR, Fusion, and to a lesser extent NXDN, are all established digital voice modes, and are not going away anytime soon, but in many areas they are not experiencing any meaningful growth when compared to DMR. This is especially true for the Northeast. In New England alone, there are close to 80 active DMR repeaters, and this number is growing every day.
Because of Yaesu offering repeaters for $500 for a period of time, there were a few installed in the area (in most cases replacing existing FM repeaters), but from my experience, it’s been extremely rare to find anyone using C4FM, and in some cases these repeaters are operating in just FM mode, so the digital part isn’t even an option. It’s hard to say exactly why Fusion or D-STAR hasn’t taken off, (last time I checked there were only 3 D-STAR repeaters in Maine), but it probably has a lot to do with price. D-STAR and Fusion radios aren’t cheap, and without some assurance that there will be a repeater within range to use them on, it’s hard to justify the cost.
Unlike the other modes, there is also something unforced and organic about DMR. Its cutting edge, and yet, it still feels like ham radio. A lot of members of our club were early adopters, and have also explored uses for DMR in both the EmComm environment, and for SKYWARN. For SKYWARN, especially, the DMR-MARC network has been an extremely useful tool to gather weather reports from areas that are outside the range of typical FM repeaters.
For more information about DMR, click here to check out our DMR Intro web page.
WS1SM Ham Radio Blog 
It’s funny I bought a TYT MD-380 – nice radio and price range around $100. That said the majority of repeaters I’ve programmed in for my Zone are FM only – only one DMR repeater in RI. Plenty in MA though. I did install the New England code plug too.
And as to repeaters there is siting, then the cost of the repeater, cans, lightning protection and antennas. So you’re looking at $2K or more.
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Repeater cans are expensive, especially for 2 meters, but the cost of putting up a repeater is pricy regardless of whether its analog or digital. The one thing that’s important to consider for a DMR installation is internet access for the repeater. This is becoming more common on newer tower installations, but its still scarce on some hilltop sites.
Rhode Island is slightly underserved as far as repeaters go, but I did find four listed: 145.230 (- / CC2) in Bristol, RI, and 145.370 (- / CC2) in Providence, RI, (both listed as NECEDN) and 146.625 (- / CC1) in Cumberland, RI, and 446.425 (- / CC1) in Smithfield, RI (both listed as Hytera systems).
Thanks for reading and commenting!
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Ah and of course I have a 70cm DMR radio.
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