DMR FAQ

Programmer

The Programmer auto terminates the application (during Start-up) with the error “Screen resolution is too low”

Our programmer requires a screen resolution of 800x600 at 100% scalability.
To use 150% scale, change the screen resolution to 1024x768

Why is the PRC version of the programmer different from the radio PRC?

PRC 1.0.3 is a database version. If the PRC version between the programmer and radio is not similar, it means that some features you see in programmer aren’t supported in the radio.

Why is the programmer not detecting my radio?

There could be several reasons:

the USB Driver is not installed. To find out if driver is installed or not, go to the ‘Device Manager’ and look for Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COMxx). If it is not shown when radio is connected, then driver must be installed first.
The Programmer is out of date.
The USB cable is not a data cable. There is a chance that the USB cable is only for charging and not exchanging data.

Is Programmer Win11 compatible?

Windows 11 is not officially supported yet, however we do have customers using the EDP successfully in Win11.

Programmer is not checking and downloading software updates

There could be several reasons.

Ensure your PC’s firewall and antivirus is not blocking the downloads. Please allow programmer through firewall.
Software updates can be interrupted by a weak/slow internet connection. Please ensure your internet connection is stable. Try another network connection such as mobile hotspot if possible.

If the issue persists, all latest updates can be manually downloaded from Entel Dealer Portal

Is Digital Programmer available for Mac OS?

No. Digital Programmer is not available for Mac OS

Programmer says "Visit the update site your downloaded firmware is old". What does it mean?

It means the FW version of the radio is higher than the FW version in the programmer.

You can run “Check for Updates” in the programmer to find any updates.

There is also a possibility that the radio has a Beta (Unreleased) version, in that case, please ignore the message and program as normal.

A future firmware update will correct this in time.

Which SDI Level should I use for TDMA-DM (Dual Capacity Direct Mode)?

Preferred aka SDI Level 3 – should be set for mains powered fixed mobile radios.
Eligible aka SDI Level 2 – should be the default setting for portables
Ineligible aka SDI Level 1 – should be for portables that are more rarely turned on, work multi-site, or are used on the fringes of the site coverage area.

Does DMR model have Talkaround function?

No. Talkaround is not currently available for DMR radio models.

How can i change the line up for a VHF Marine channels

Use Private channels.

Note: Ch16 cannot be modified

Battery and Power Management

How to tune the output power of DX485

The Dealer/End user programmer does not allow re-tuning/aligning the output power.

Is there any alert tone to warn of Low Battery on my radio? Can I disable the Low Battery alert?

In FW v1.2.x, the radio plays a single beep after the voltage drops below the low battery threshold.

In FW v1.4.x, 2.x.x, the radio plays a double beep at 20 second intervals after the voltage drops below the low battery threshold, and repeats until the voltage drops below the switch off threshold, at which point the radio will turn off.

The Low battery alert tone is not programmable and cannot be disabled.

The Low battery alert tone tracks with the radio volume and cannot be at a fixed level, or offset.

What are the Low Battery Warning and Switch Off thresholds?

The Low Battery alert sounds when the battery voltage drops below 7V. In FW v1.2.x, this is a single beep, in FW v1.4.x, and from 2.x.x, the the alert consists of a double beep at 20 second intervals.

The Switch Off threshold is set at 6.3V. The radio will switch off automatically.

How do I keep batteries charged, ready for use, and manage battery storage?

a) If left attached to a radio it is best to recharge the battery as soon as possible after use, but in any case no more than 7-days. Please re-charge every 7-days if stored un-used on the radio (we strongly recommend storing un-used batteries off the radio).

b) For batteries left in storage off the radio, we recommend a monthly multi-meter voltage check to decide if they need topping up. If voltage drops below 7.0V, batteries should be recharged. Typically it takes it takes 3 months for a battery to self discharge from 8.0V to 7.0V.

System planning

If company have 20 pcs DX482 or DX485 and the leader want to block 10 users to hear what is talking about, for a special reason and open commuinication for this 10 pcs later. Is this possible?

There are several ways, one of the common way is to split the users into two groups. Each group can listen to its own group but Leader can listen to both groups. If Leader wants to talk to one of the groups, he/she can select the desire group from contact list to communicate. Otherwise the Leader can communicate to all group

Can I program VA and Scan?

VA and Scan are not supported if FW version is 1.2.x (AK)

VA is not supported if FW Version is 2.x.x (CMX)

Scan is supported if FW version is 2.x.x (CMX)

Both features are available in FW version 1.4.x (AKZG DX Beta) and 1.10.x (AKZE DT Ofrel),

HT782 does not support VA?

Like any analogue radios, it does support VA but it needs to be fitted just like fitting MD sensor

Radio Operations

My radio is not turning on

Battery is not charged. Charge the radio for few minutes and then try again.
Programming data is corrupted. Press and hold lower side button and then turn the radio on. Is the radio’s LED flashing red and green alternately? If so, the radio should be reprogrammed with fresh data.
Firmware is corrupted. Press and hold upper side button and then turn the radio on. Is the radio’s LED flashing amber and red alternately? If so, the radio’s firmware should be upgraded.
Faulty hardware. If radio is not responsive (i.e. not giving tone and LED indications) after switching the radio on, most likely the hardware is defective and must be returned for repair/replacement.

Do tones track with volume control or can it be a fixed level / have an offset?

Most tones track with volume. We do not have fixed level or offset capability.

Emergency Search Tone does not track with volume and it is fixed at 75% max volume.

if a radio is flashing Green / Red - what does this mean?

Radio is in programming mode. If the behavior persists after restarting the radio, most likely the radio has corrupted data and should be-reprogrammed

Why did we move tx power indicator? CMX to AK UI differences?

This is the 1.2.x and 1.4.x differences. In 1.4.x, RX messaging is supported and H icon is in new position

Why my radio doesn't work with CMP/DXE or CMP/DXS?

Most likely the radio FW is out of date.

Please upgrade the radio to v1.2.122.

If the model isn’t available, please contact Support Desk and request a new FW.

Can I have more than 1 zone on my radio?

Display models can have up to 8 zones. To use multizones, Home screen must be set to Simple or Advanced.

Multizone is not available on non-display models.

on a non display radio which is the sound of low power?

on a non display radio the sound of low power is in the low pitch beep.

Condition:
Change Power button must be programmed and Power change should be allowed.

Compatibility issue with Talker alias over Motorola repeater SLR1500

It is known issue that talker alias is not compatible with Motorola repeater with old FW (i.e. R02.10.00.13)

Talker alias will be compatible if Motorola repeater has a new FW (i.e. R20.21.04.01).

It is also compatible with Hytera RD985 or Kenwood TKR-D710

ref: ESD1640

Is there a quick way to return a channel to its default contact after making a private call

If they have selected private contact as PTT contact, then yes, change channel or restart the radio.

If they make private call by PTT’ing in Contact List, then just press the Back (left soft key) button

Why do I hear motorlike noise in Entel DX482 speaker when receiving?

The radio is in analogue channel and is receiving digital transmission.

Emergency

Can we initiate an emergency call on a channel preset but not receive/decode one?

Yes - set Emergency Alarm Indication and Emergency Call Indication to disabled in the Emergency System.

Note: An Emergency system must be assigned to a preset.

Is silent alarm initiation available?

Silent and Silent w/Voice are currently not available

Can I clear the emergency from the other radio?

No

Is there a local indicator tone when a radio initiates an Emergency Call?

There is a tone called “Emergency Search Tone”. The tone is sounded only during Alarm Sending stage.

The tone is not sounded when radio is in Emergency Call stage

Misc

What should the Marine UI look like?