What changed
DMR, D-STAR and Fusion — edited Aug 31, 2026 by Unknown editor
This is the first recorded version, so every line is shown as added. Note: Imported from content/wiki
+
Three incompatible digital voice standards are in common amateur use. All three digitize your voice,
+
send it over VHF/UHF, and typically link repeaters worldwide over the internet.
+
+
| | DMR | D-STAR | System Fusion (C4FM) |
+
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+
| Origin | Commercial land mobile | ICOM/JARL | Yaesu |
+
| Radios | Cheapest, widest choice | ICOM, Kenwood | Yaesu |
+
| Networks | Brandmeister, TGIF | REF/XLX reflectors | Wires-X, YSF rooms |
+
| Learning curve | Steepest (code plugs) | Moderate | Easiest |
+
+
## Concepts you will meet
+
+
- **Talkgroups** (DMR) — worldwide, regional or topic-based channels you subscribe to.
+
- **Reflectors / rooms** — the equivalent on D-STAR and Fusion.
+
- **Code plug** — the configuration file for a DMR radio; borrow a local one rather than starting
+
from scratch.
+
- **DMR ID** — a numeric ID you register for once, free, at radioid.net.
+
- **Hotspot** — a small device (Pi-Star, openSPOT) that puts a personal low-power gateway to the
+
networks in your house, with no repeater needed.
+
+
## Is it "real" radio?
+
+
The RF link is real; the backhaul is the internet. It is superb for keeping in touch with distant
+
communities and terrible as an infrastructure-independent emergency system — which is exactly why
+
most emergency groups still train on analogue FM and [HF](/wiki/operating/hf-operating).