Radio Contra Episode 58: Digital Mobile Radio for Tactical Communications

Radio Contra Episode 58: I cover notes from the RTO Course on the tactical level uses of DMR and wargaming its possibilities in an asymmetric battlefield.
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By NC ScoutPublished On: July 1, 2021Categories: Culture, NC Scout10 Comments

About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

10 Comments

Rick Costa July 1, 2021 at 21:52

Thanks NC Scout, been waiting patiently for another podcast
- NC Scout July 1, 2021 at 22:24
  
  Thanks for listening brother!
tim schaefer July 2, 2021 at 15:45

I picked up an Anytone AT-D868UV a while back. I wish I found it as intuitive as you state. I can’t even get up to a level of basic functionality. Any recommendations on forums or other learning resources? I’ve searched high & low, and come up empty. Thanks.
- NC Scout July 2, 2021 at 17:00
  
  It was pretty plug and play. I figured it out literally on the fly.
  Start with the manual and write down everything you do when you start punching buttons or changing options.
- MikeJ July 3, 2021 at 10:07
  
  Two sources which have been extremely helpful to me in both code plugs and firmware updates have been “The Smokin’ Ape” YouTube channel, and “Ham Radio 2.0” YT channel. The Smokin’ Ape has an entire series on the BTech 6×9, and Jason on Ham Radio 2.0 has a few on the Anytone. They both have great presentations on digital Ham radio and how it works etc. I find myslef referring to their channels quite often.
  - tim schaefer July 3, 2021 at 15:34
    
    much appreciated
    - MikeJ July 4, 2021 at 20:46
      
      Tim,
      Here is the Yt address for a BridgeCom Tech guy named Duane N6DMR. He gives a very detailed look at DMR and how to program an Anytone D868UV specifically. He goes into great detail with simple to follow instructions. I found it very helpful as an overview, even though I have the BTech 6×2.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlHISXDDcio
      I don’t know if this link will work, but go to BridgeCom Systems Inc. and look into their video instructions. Good luck.
MikeJ July 2, 2021 at 22:29

Scout,
The Anytone looks exactly like the BTech 6×2. The Smokin’ Ape says that they are the same radio. Ready Made Resources used to stock these too, as I bought two from Bob back in February at the RTO course. If folks can’t source one at Spamazon, then maybe RMR still has some in stock, as from what I have read, they are hard to come by right now.
- NC Scout July 2, 2021 at 23:03
  
  I have one of the Btech radios in hand. It’s similar but not the exact same. Both, however, are good to go.
Ursus Americanas July 3, 2021 at 23:15

Solid episode! After listening I realized that we had never availed ourselves of the 32 bit encryption on the Baofeng GD-77’s we standardized on a couple years back. The algorithm is ARC4 not AES, but it’s better than nothing.
What do you think about the Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum radios such as the Motorola DTR-700? Would this be an increase in security over the 32 bit encryption?