Preparing an Anytone DMR radio

There are many DMR programming guides, but I wanted to do a quick checklist to remind me how I did it.

Get your DMR ID.
- Apply for a DMR ID at https://radioid.net/register#!.
- Needs a valid Ham Radio License.
- Takes a few days
- Fully read and understand this page. Be careful filling out information in correct fields.
Create a new download folder to contain your working files (eg. Anytone Radio Software)
- Anytone AT-D878UV – Go to https://bridgecomsystems.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/63000105978-anytone-878-878-plus-cps-firmware-and-driver-downloads
  - Get the latest CPS and Firmware (1.21 as of Sep 2020)
- Anytone AT-D868UV – Go to https://bridgecomsystems.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/63000105671-anytone-868-cps-firmware-and-driver-versions
  - Get the latest CPS and Firmware (1.39 and 2.39 as of Sep 2020)
- Go to https://powerwerx.com/help/software-downloads#dmrcontacts and get a dump of the latest Ham DMR contact list in CSV format for import into the Anytone.
- Get the DMR Talkgroup list in CSV format. https://brandmeister.network/?page=talkgroups
  - Delete Column ‘D’ with heading
  - Delete Column ‘A’ with heading ‘Country’
  - Rename Heading ‘Talkgroup’ to ‘Radio ID’
- Add the following (I use the # to distinguish these special channels)
  - 2, #Local Network, Group Call
  - 9, #Local Repeater, Group Call
  - 99, #Simplex, Group Call
  - 9990, #Parrot, Private Call

Get 7-Zip from https://7-zip.org and install.
Extract the CPS, Firmware, and other files from the Zip file you downloaded.
Install the CPS software. It will try to install to the wrong Drive, correct it to your C: drive.
Plug in your radio to the USB cable and turn it on.
- If the Radio doesn’t show up as a Com port in Windows Devices and Drivers, then use the included GD Virtual Com Driver (v2.0.2.4994) in a RAR file. You will need 7zip to open this.
- Unplug your Radio while you install the driver. Plug your radio in and give it a few moments to register.
Unlock the keyboard using these instructions – https://youtu.be/dzFqEM-yC7A
Update your radios firmware using the CPS software
- Bridgecomm and others have excellent videos
  - 868 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ltjPu3oXHQ
  - 878 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qYpB9yDOvo
Add your DMR ID to the radio
- Select Digital > Radio ID List
- In the #1 slot, put your DMR ID in the Radio ID column and your Callsign in the Name.
In the CPS, import the contact list and talkgroups into your radio.
- Select Tool -> Import
- Click on Talkgroups, select your modified Talkgroups CSV file.
- Click on Contacts, select your downloaded Contact CSV file.
- Click on Import
- This will take a while for the contacts to import

Resources