Testing and Troubleshooting

Basic Configuration:  Echo Test

Start by attempting a test transmission on the Echo Test channel.  Hold down your PTT button and wait for your radio to indicate permission to transmit -- usually indicated by either a talk permit tone, green light, or on-screen message... something that indicates your radio has reached the repeater and is allowed to transmit.  When you see or hear this, record a short message like "AB1CDE on Echo Test" and then release your PTT.  The repeater should play back your recorded audio.  Success?

Callwatch

Combined with the network Echo Test feature, the DMRVA Callwatch service is a great way to check your radio's programming and signal quality.

From left to right, Callwatch provides:

►  Start time of the transmission
►  Duration of the transmission.  In-progress transmissions will appear at the top of the screen.
►  Source Peer Alias is the originating repeater, network, or hotspot ID
►  Source Radio Alias is the originating user's radio ID and network identity
►  Destination Bridge Group is the target talkgroup (group calls) or radio ID (private calls)
►  RSSI (dBm) is the received signal strength
►  Site Name is the originating network
►  Loss rate is the percentage of packet loss during the transmission, an indicator of audio intelligibility

Things to watch for:

►  Your radio ID should display in the Source Radio Alias column.  (If your radio ID was issued in the past 30 days, your name and call sign may not appear.  This is OK.)
►  Destination Bridge Group should display a talkgroup name.  If it shows UnKnown Ipsc and you are transmitting to a talkgroup, check the talkgroup number and timeslot.
►  RSSI and Loss rate:  increase power or re-orient the antenna for best performance.

In the sample Callwatch output above, we see two instances of UnKnown Ipsc, along with several successful connections to VA Statewide and the Parrot (Echo Test).

►  UnKnown Ipsc 3151:  Virginia Statewide (3151) is on timeslot 2.  Since we know the talkgroup number is valid, this error indicates the timeslot is incorrect.
►  UnKnown Ipsc 99:  Simplex (99) is not carried on this repeater, so Callwatch shows this message.

💡  Radio-to-radio (private) calls will always show as UnKnown Ipsc on Callwatch.

Verifying Talk Permit

To confirm that your Talk Permit setting is working correctly, run through this test:

1. Tune to the Echo Test and send a test transmission of around 20 seconds in length.  You can simply state your call sign and "testing" followed by dead air.

2. As soon as the Echo Test begins to play back, press your PTT button.  You should see a Call Failed, Call Denied, Channel Busy, or similar message, and/or call denial tone.

3. While the Echo Test is still playing back, quickly switch to the Clear Timeslot channel and attempt to transmit.  You should be allowed to transmit, since this is on the other timeslot (2) and should not be busy.

4. While the Echo Test is still playing back, quickly switch to RVA Metro and try to transmit.  You should not be allowed to transmit since the timeslot (1) is busy with the Echo Test playback, and you should see a call failure message and/or hear a call denial tone.

5. With the radio out of coverage range, or with the antenna removed and the radio connected to a dummy load, you should receive a call failure message and/or denial tone.

If any of those tests produce unexpected results, your Talk Permit setting needs to be adjusted.