I see a lot of DMR codeplug files being passed around. It’s super convenient – just download the file, fill in your radio ID, and you’re good to go!
Here are a few reasons why you should create your own.
You will learn more about how DMR works.
Ham radio is a hobby that is about learning and experimentation. If all you want to do is rag chew and not learn anything, CB and GMRS would be happy to have you.
You will be able to help others.
Hams are supposed to help other hams. If you have no idea how to program a DMR radio, how will you be able to help others do the same when they are trying to learn?
You won’t take easy way out.
If you simply download a pre-made codeplug and squirt it into your radio, you are relying on other people to do the hard work for you. That is lazy, plain-and-simple. If you want to be lazy, go pay the FCC $80 and get a GMRS license.
Bottom Line
You are a licensed amateur radio operator. That means something, and you should be proud! Ham radio is hard, but you passed one or more tests wth hard questions to earn your license. Programming a DMR radio is less difficult to understand than some of the questions on the tests. If you cannot figure out how to program your radio, you may want to reconsider whether you should have one in the first place.
