We've de-cluttered quite a bit and our navigation has changed. Let us know if you can't find what you're looking for.

Channels and Zones

Primary Locals and Statewides
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Alternate Locals and Statewides
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Cluster or Wide-Area Talkgroup
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TAC Channels
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EMCOMM Talkgroups
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Regionals
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National
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DMR Plus Reflectors
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Worldwide
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Special Talkgroups
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Control Channels

Standard Channel Order

Talkgroups will vary by repeater and network but the order in which they appear within each zone (where available) is consistent across each system in our coverage. You'll find the primary Local in channel 1, followed by statewide and wide-area talkgroups, TAC channels, and various other talkgroups which vary from system to system. Quiet, Echo Test, and control channels like Clear Timeslot are in the last channels.

See our standard channel order
⭐ indicates a talk path to/from DMRVA

Shared Talkgroups

Several talkgroups on the DMRVA network are shared and will pass traffic to or from other networks in our region:

Richmond Metro and Roanoke Metro are available in our BrandMeister zones.
C-Bridge VA Statewide is available in some Interstate and K4USD zones.
HEARS Link is available in our HEARS-NC and NC4ES zones.
VA Shendoah Valley, Southwest, Peninsula, Tidewater are in our BrandMeister zones; limited access from Interstate and K4USD.

DMRVA Locals and Metros

On most DMR networks, the Local talkgroup (usually 9 or 27500) does not leave the local repeater. Hence the name, Local.

Many of the DMRVA network repeaters are arranged into clusters that share a Local talkgroup. We call these arrangements Metros. For example, the Richmond Metro cluster consists of the Richmond, Beaverdam, Goochland, Middlesex, New Kent, Petersburg, Powhatan, and RVA portable repeaters. All of those are linked via the Local talkgroup. A few repeaters do have a traditional, freestanding Local talkgroup. This table shows the current Local/Metro arrangements as of July 2025.

NCPRN uses a similar Local/Metro setup in some areas, and this type of "clustering" is common on BrandMeister systems.

Codeplug Navigation

Our codeplugs are designed with ease of use in mind. When you use RATS codeplugs on all of your radios, you'll enjoy a consistent, familiar channel layout, not only across the DMRVA network, but also when traveling on the neighboring systems supported by our Specialty Codeplugs.

The Local/Metro talkgroup is always in the first channel, followed by the statewide or systemwide talkgroup(s), then TAC channels, then regionals. Echo tests and Clear Timeslot are in the last position. Many codeplugs incorporate an automatic Monitor-All function into the Clear Timeslot channel.

DMRVA system users should become familiar with the arrangement of Local and Metro talkgroups.

Easily move from repeater to repeater as you travel by programming softkeys to act as zone up/down buttons. Most talkgroups are on the same channel in every zone, and most radios stay on the same channel when switching zones.

Channel Naming Conventions

Our codeplugs are designed to provide a consistent layout across all supported radio makes and models. Channel labels consist of a 3- to 5-character site (or zone) identifier followed by the talkgroup name. If you are developing your own codeplugs for distribution, you are encouraged to respect existing site IDs.

Many DMR systems have standardized site IDs, usually 3 characters. The DMRVA site IDs found in the RATS codeplugs (for the most part) date back to the DMRVA-hosted codeplugs that have been circulating for over a decade. As the primary codeplug maintainer for the DMRVA network, we have taken the liberty of establishing site IDs for new systems as they've joined the network. Some examples of DMRVA site IDs are RIC (Richmond), NKC (New Kent County), and LX1 (Lexington #1).

Foreign Zones

Where established site IDs could be determined from existing codeplugs or other materials, we have respected those IDs in our own codeplugs. We add a 2-character prefix to the foreign zone ID to help identify which system the channel belongs to. For example, ISALX is the ALX (Alexandria) repeater on the Interstate (IS) network.

RATS codeplugs have a 3- to 5-letter Site ID prefix on each channel to identify the repeater corresponding to a channel.

Simplex Channels

The Southeastern Repeater Association's Frequency Use Plans (FUPs) help maintain order by designating specific frequencies for FM and digital simplex operation. Where simplex frequencies are included in one of our codeplugs, they are pulled directly from the SERA FUPs and are usable within SERA's coordination territory. Recommended simplex frequencies may vary in other areas. Consult the local frequency coordinator for recommendations.

Frequencies in bold/red are included in select RATS codeplugs.

For more information: SERA 144 MHz FUP | SERA 420-450 MHz FUP

147.4600
147.4800
440.9125
440.9250
440.9375
440.9500
440.9625
440.9750

440.9875
441.0000 Calling
441.0125
441.0250
441.0375
441.0500
441.0625
441.0750

441.0875
441.1000
441.1125
441.1250
441.1375
441.1500
441.1625
441.1750

All channels use timeslot 1, talkgroup 99, color code 1. Anytone, Alinco, and Bridgecom radios may need to set the channel mode to "DMO/simplex" in the CPS. Alternate talkgroups may be used when needed, but for general calling purposes, use talkgroup 99. DMR simplex channels in RATS codeplugs display an SPX zone ID.

* 145.5100 and 145.7900 are allocated as Wideband Digital Packet Simplex channels in SERA's regional plan, but these are regarded as valid 2m DMR calling frequencies on a national basis. This is noted in SERA's FUP. DMR users should be aware of potential (though highly unlikely) conflicts with local simplex packet operations on these channels.

** 146.4800 is being used as a SERA-coordinated repeater input for the Franklin County/Thornton Mountain DMR repeater. Amateurs in the area should avoid simplex operation on this frequency.

146.5950
147.4050*
147.4200*
147.4350*
147.4500*
147.4650*
147.4800*
147.4950*
147.5100
147.5250
147.5400
147.5550

147.5700
147.5850
445.9125
445.9250
445.9375
445.9500
445.9625
445.9750
455.9875
446.0000 Calling
446.0125
446.0250

446.0375
446.0500
446.0625
446.0750
446.0875
446.1000
446.1125
446.1250
446.1375
446.1500
446.1625
446.1750

All channels use wideband FM and carrier squelch. In RATS codeplugs, most of these channels also transmit a PL of 100.0 Hz which can be used for tone squelch as needed. FM simplex channels in RATS codeplugs display an Spx zone ID.

* 146.4000, 146.4450, 146.4600, 146.4900, 147.4050, 147.4200, 147.4350, 147.4500, 147.4650, 147.4800, and 147.4950 may be used as repeater inputs in some areas. FM simplex is secondary and traffic must yield to coordinated FM repeaters.

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