DMRGateway-6

Documentation & Configuration Guide

Updated: June 23, 2025

Author: VE3RD (ve3zrd@gmail.com)

History:

  • 2023-06-09: DMRGateway-5 Created
  • 2024-03-10: Upgraded to DMRGateway-6

⚠️ IMPORTANT: READ EVERYTHING BEFORE DOING ANYTHING.

Overview & Key Features

This DMRGateway version adds critical filtering missing in the standard Pi-Star version. It provides an efficient method to handle 7-digit talk groups (TGs) and introduces the following stability enhancements:

  • Network Locking: Locks a network to prevent other networks from bleeding through to your radio.
  • Stop Arbitrary Switching: Prevents the hotspot from changing talk groups based on external network activity.
  • TX Mode Protection: Stops the hotspot from going into TX mode due to unwanted network activity (which causes a busy light with no audio), ensuring you don’t miss traffic on your radio’s tuned TG.

The RawNet Parameter

A new parameter RawNet has been added to /etc/dmrgateway in the [General] section.

  • RawNet=0: DMRGateway-6 will not assume any network is running in RAW Mode.
  • RawNet=1 to 6: The designated network will be forced into Raw Mode, regardless of whether the rest of the DMRGateway is running in 7-digit or 8-digit mode.

Examples:

  • If GWMode=8 and RawNet=4 (Assuming Net4 = TGIF, Net5 = MNET):
    • Entering 31665 routes to Net 4 (TGIF) via Raw Mode.
    • Entering 15031665 routes to Net 5 (MNET) via 8-Digit Mode.
  • If GWMode=7:
    • Entering 5031665 routes to Net 5 (MNET) via 7-Digit Mode.

Operational Modes

DMRGateway-6 runs in one of three distinct modes:

1. Raw Mode

  • Function: Radio on 31665 will pass 31665 straight to the server. Handles 7-digit talk groups out of the box.
  • Network Selection: Keying TG9001 to TG9006 selects and locks Network 1 through Network 6 (similar to OpenSpot profile selection).

2. 7-Digit Mode

  • Function: The leftmost digit (1 through 7) selects and locks the corresponding network.
  • Example: 4031665 selects TG 31665 on Network 4.
  • Limitation: This mode WILL NOT handle 7-digit talk groups unless a raw mode network is mapped.

3. 8-Digit Mode

  • Function: The leftmost two digits (11 to 16) select and lock the corresponding network (Network 1 to Network 6).
  • Example: 14031665 selects TG 31665 on Network 4.
  • 7-Digit Support: Handles all 7-digit talk groups via a rewrite rule:TGRewrite1=2,1000001,2,1000001,899999

Special Commands & Limitations

  • XLX Mode Activation: Sending TG9007 turns off all DMRGateway networks and enables XLX mode. Audio returns on TG6 (if enabled). Sending a standard 9001–9006, 7-digit, or 8-digit TG turns off XLX and reverts to the corresponding network mode.
  • Network 6 Limitation: Network 6 has a hardware high-number limit. It only accepts values just under $2^{24}$ (16,777,216), translating to approximately 777200 as the highest accessible talk group.

Installation & Updates

Fresh Installation / Upgrade from Legacy Version

Run the following commands in your terminal:

Bash

sudo su
rpi-rw
sudo git clone https://github.com/ve3zrd/DMRGateway-6
cd DMRGateway-6
./GWConfig.sh #

(Replace # with your HotSpot Number 0-9)

Updating an Existing DMRGateway-6 Installation

Run the following commands to pull the latest updates:

Bash

cd /home/pi-star/DMRGateway-6
rpi-rw
sudo su
git pull
make clean
make
make install
./GWConfig.sh #

(Replace # with your HotSpot Number 0-9)

Configuration Script Menu (GWConfig.sh)

When running the configuration script, you will be presented with the following options:

  • 1 Create/Edit the DMRGateway Password File(Mandatory for new installs). Creates/edits an offline repository for your network security codes to enable desired networks.
  • 2 Install DMRGateway & Update /etc/dmrgateway – Basic ModeOverwrites the configuration with defaults, compiles a new binary if needed, and sets up Basic Mode (e.g., use 31665 in radio CPS, key 9001–9006 to switch networks). Handles 7-digit TGs.
  • 3 Select Network for Raw/Basic Mode 0-6 (default=0)Selects a specific network to run in basic mode. 0 disables this feature. Handles 7-digit TGs via:TGRewrite1=2,1000001,2,1000001,5599999
  • 4 Install DMRGateway & Update /etc/dmrgateway – 8-Digit Translation ModeOverwrites configuration for 8-digit mode. (e.g., use 14031665 for TG 31665 on Network 4). Handles 7-digit TGs.
  • 5 Install DMRGateway & Update /etc/dmrgateway – 7-Digit Translation ModeMatches default Pi-Star gateway layout (e.g., 4031665 for Net 4). Does not support 7-digit TGs unless a raw mode network is assigned.
  • 6 Install DMRGateway NO Config File UpdateCompiles and installs the new binary file without touching your existing configuration settings.
  • 7 Restore Original DMRGateway Binary FileRestores the stock backup from /usr/local/bin/DMRGateway.orig if available.
  • 8 QuitExits the configuration script.

⚠️ CAUTION: This script cannot anticipate all unique configurations. Use nano /etc/dmrgateway to manually review and complete your setup.

Technical Appendix & Examples

Pi-Star Update Warning

Pi-Star updates regularly overwrite modified files. If an update overwrites your setup, re-run the GWConfig.sh script in the DMRGateway-6 directory to restore your functionality.

Typical Rewrite Rules (Network 5 in 8-Digit Mode)

Plaintext

TGRewrite0=2,15000001,2,1,999999            // TGs 15000001-15999999 -> 1-999999 (Max 6 digits)
TGRewrite1=2,1000001,2,1000001,899999       // Allows 7-digit TGs after locking via an 8-digit TG
PCRewrite0=2,15000001,2,1,999999
SrcRewrite0=2,1,2,VE3RD,9999999

Log Output Reference Example

Plaintext

I: Rewrite RF: 2:TG15000001-TG15999999 -> 2:TG1-TG999999
I: Rewrite Net: 2:TG1-TG999999 -> 2:TG15000001-TG15999999
I: Rewrite RF: 2:TG1000001-TG999999 -> 2:TG1000001-TG999999
I: Rewrite Net: 2:TG1000001-TG999999 -> 2:TG1000001-TG999999
I: Rewrite RF: 2:15000001-15999999 -> 2:1-999999
I: Rewrite Net: 2:1-9999999 -> 2:TG0

Author’s Personal 8-Digit Arrangement Example

  • Net 1: BrandMeister (11xx)
  • Net 2: DMR+ (12xx)
  • Net 3: YSF2DMR (13xx)
  • Net 4: TGIF (14xx)
  • Net 5: MNET (15xx)
  • Net 6: Not Used (16xx)(Where xx = 000000. XLX is treated conceptually as Network 7).