Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions specific to the RATS Codeplug Project.  You might also want to check out our DMR Frequently Asked Questions.

Why doesn't your codeplug include talkgroup <anything>?

The DMRVA network carries a limited assortment of carefully selected talkgroups focused on Virginia regional and statewide communications.  The talkgroups available on the DMRVA network are published on the DMRVA talkgroup matrix, and these are the only talkgroups included in our public files.

Our codeplugs for neighboring DMR systems are focused on talkgroups that are shared with the DMRVA network, and other carefully selected talkgroups most likely to be of interest to the average Richmonder who is traveling through one of these other networks.  Other talkgroups may be available.

Our codeplugs are built with a limit of 16 channels per zone for maximum compatibility, which means we can't include all talkgroups on larger DMR systems.

I am having trouble getting the codeplug to load to my radio.  Help?

We get a lot of these questions.  Here are the most common root causes:

• Check the cable.  Be sure you have the correct programming cable and drivers for your operating system.  If your radio uses the "K" style 2-pin mic/speaker port connection for programming, apply a little extra force when inserting the cable to ensure it is fully seated.

• Confirm that your CPS version matches your radio firmware.  A mismatch between CPS version and radio firmware can cause data corruption and transfer failures.

• Confirm that your radio firmware and CPS versions are the same or newer than the source codeplug.  An exact version match isn't usually necessary, but your radio should have at least the firmware version indicated in our codeplug file, if any.   You may have problems when using a codeplug that is newer than your firmware, if it loads to the radio at all.  (This doesn't apply if you're doing a conversion using the N0GSG DMR Contact Manager according to our conversion instructions.)

• Confirm that your radio is in the correct mode for programming.  Refer to your radio's operating manual for any model-specific programming instructions.

If you still can't get your codeplug loaded, we may be able to help.

Can you program my radio for me?

Generally, no.  There may be some occasional opportunities for in-person programming assistance like at a club Field Day, but this type of service is not something we have the personal bandwidth to offer.

What are Quiet channels?

Most RATS DMRVA codeplugs currently include a Quiet channel.  This channel has no talkgroup associated with it.  It allows the radio to idle on time slot 1 and listen only for direct ("private") calls, text messages, and All Calls.  If you want to be available for direct calls without being disturbed by any other radio chatter, spin the dial to the Quiet channel.

What is Monitor All?

Many RATS codeplugs include a Monitor All function.  Monitor All is a combination of Receive Group Lists and a Scan List, working together to listen for traffic from specific talkgroups on both time slots.  This is not the same as promiscuous mode, which will receive all activity on the current time slot, regardless of talkgroup.

RATS DMRVA codeplugs incorporate Monitor All into the Clear Timeslot channel.  When your radio is on Clear Timeslot, Monitor All (if supported) is automatically activated.  RATS codeplugs for neighboring DMR systems place Monitor All on Clear Timeslot if it exists on the system;  otherwise Monitor All may have a dedicated channel in the zone.

Do you plan to offer codeplugs for the K4USD network?

We would love to, but so far we have not been able to locate any good documentation on that system, and there appears to be no functioning website.  If you are aware of an up-to-date list of repeaters and talkgroups for K4USD, please email us at codeplug-request@rats.net.  If we can get all the information we need, we'll consider making a codeplug for nearby repeaters on the K4USD network.

Do you plan to offer codeplugs for the WV DMR network?

We are aware of a handful of repeaters in West Virginia that are listed as part of a "WV DMR" network, but we don't have any information on that system, such as a full repeater list or talkgroup matrix so it's not something we can build a file for right now.  If you have good information about these WV DMR machines, email us at codeplug-request@rats.net and we'll see what we can do.

I see very few FM repeaters in your files.  What's up with that?

Our primary focus is DMR.  For user convenience, we include a few popular FM repeaters in the Richmond area.  Additionally, when one of our supported DMR networks has a small number of affiliated FM repeaters, we include those as well.  We hope to expand this to statewide coverage of major repeaters at some point in the future, but our bandwidth is dedicated to DMR right now.