Radio Tech 2018

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This page provides technical information about the Firefly radio setup. If you're just using a radio, you probably don't need it.

Radio Channels

Firefly Radio Channels 2018

See this sheet for the latest version of the 2018 radio channels. This version is current as of 2018-06-29:

Channel BF-888

Channel

MD-390

Channel

UV-82HP

UV5R

Channel

Rcv Xmt

(if different)

Tech Tone/Isolation Description
MURS1 0 151.82 VHF Analog None
Safety1 1 1 1 464.5 469.5 UHF Analog 127.3 Primary Safety Core channel. Repeater-enabled
TAC1ICS 2 2 2 469.55 UHF Analog 114.8 For use when ICS is activated
Sanctuary 3 3 3 456.8 UHF Analog 100 Sanctuary-only
Board 4 4 4 451.8125 UHF Analog 88.5
DPW 5 5 5 456.8125 UHF Analog 94.8
LNT 6 6 6 456.8 UHF Analog 203.5
GGGP 7 451.8 UHF DMR Group Call 1 Gnome Gate Greeters Parking Security
GTFO 8 451.8 UHF DMR Group Call 2 Get The Freaks On/Off (the hill). Digital only.
Accessibility 9 451.8 UHF DMR Group Call 3 Digital radios only!
WAKE 7 151.505 VHF Analog 123
TAC2 8 151.625 VHF Analog 114.8
TAC3 9 151.7 VHF Analog 100
WX W VT 10 162.5 --- VHF AnalogWide None West Vermont NOAA weather broadcast.
WX E VT 11 162.475 --- VHF AnalogWide None East Vermont NOAA weather broadcast.
WX W NH 12 162.525 --- VHF AnalogWide None West NH NOAA weather broadcast.

Chirp Files

If you'd like to program your own radio, Chirp files are available here. This is entirely at your own risk -- neither Radio Core nor Rangers offer support for personally owned or programmed radios.

License

Our callsign is WQVL648 and expires in 2025.

Frequency Band Power Notes
464.5 UHF 25 Current repeater input
464.55 UHF 25
469.5 UHF 25 Current repeater output
469.55 UHF 25
451.8 UHF 5
451.8125 UHF 5
456.8 UHF 5
456.8125 UHF 5
151.505 VHF 5
151.5125 VHF 5
151.7 VHF 5
151.76 VHF 5
151.955 VHF 5
154.5725 VHF 5
158.4 VHF 5
158.4075 VHF 5

Radio Hardware

Firefly uses several variants of commercially-produced, commonly-available amateur handheld transceivers (HTs).

BF-888s

Bf-888s.jpg
Name BF-888s
Channels 16
Bands UHF only
Frequency Range 400 - 470MHz
RF Power ~3W
Operating Voltage 3.7V
Users Dirt Rangers, other Safety Cores, anyone who doesn't need a different radio

Links

UV-5R

UV-5R diagram
Name UV-5R (also UV-5Rv2, UV-5R+, etc.)
Channels 128
Bands UHF/VHF
Frequency Range 136-174MHz, 400-520MHz TX
RF Power ~4W
Operating Voltage 7.4V
Users Khaki, anyone on a long shift

The UV-5R has several ~identical-looking variants. When programming the radio, it's important to look at the model plate on the front and see what you have. If it's not "UV-5R", you likely have one of the custom variants -- see Baofengtech's compare chart for more info on the differences. They all have basically the same capability, with the exception of the RD-5R, which is a digital radio.

Links

TYT MD-390

MD-390
Name TYT MD-390
Channels lots
Bands UHF
Frequency Range 400-480MHz
RF Power ~4W
Operating Voltage 7.4V
Users For 2018: GGGP, GTFO, Accessibility

This is a DMR (Digital Mobile Radio). It can be used on the analog UHF channels in a similar fashion to the other radios, but its primary use is on the digital channels. For users, its operation is the same as the others: push to talk.

We may expand our use of DMR in the future depending on how 2018 goes.

Links

Firefly Repeater

GR1225

The Firefly repeater is a Motorola GR1225 desktop repeater.

Programming Radios

Analog radios

Preparation: (Open CHIRP, load files: BF888, UV-5R- {307, 311, 313})

Chirp.png

BF-888: just flash it

  • Select BF-888 file tab
  • Turn on radio
  • Plug in programming cable
  • Upload to Radio → Alt-U or Radio→ Upload
  • Wait for upload to complete
  • Unplug and turn off

Firefly UV-5R (no +, E, V2, etc.): flash with care

  • Select UV-5R 311 file tab
  • Turn on radio, volume up, plug in
  • Upload to Radio
  • IF OK: unplug, turn off
  • IF ERROR (firmware mismatch)
    • note version of firmware (in error message)
    • if 307 or 313, open that file, retry flash
    • otherwise, see procedure below

Firefly UV-5R V2+, E, U, etc., Other Radio, or Privately Owned Analog Radio

  • Download from Radio: Alt-D or Radio → Download
  • Plug in cable, turn on, wait 5 seconds
  • Select correct radio type in dropdown (All UV-5R variants use “UV-5R” option)
  • Press enter, wait for download
  • Open new file (tab all the way to the right, may need to scroll using little arrow in upper right)
  • File → Import → Select type “.csv” in dropdown → open FF2018.csv
  • Leave 1-7 or 1-8 checked (include MURS1 = 0 if there)
  • Press Enter
  • Upload to Radio, unplug, check/test freqs

DEBUG

"Error: Radio did not respond"

  • Is it on?
  • Check cable -- fully plugged in?
  • Turn volume up
  • Wait 5 seconds, retry
  • Recharge, retry

Other error:

  • Write down error on post-it
  • Stick it in dead radio bin

Digital radios

Hoo boy. Best to get someone who knows how to help you with this for now. Better instructions to come.

Additional resources

Firefly Radio Basics

Radio Reference Card 2016-print version

Burning Man Radio Training:

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