Modifying DMR codeplugs: scan lists

  Previously, we've looked at how to edit zones and channels on a DMR radio using the programming software. Scan lists are another aspect of the DMR radio that users like to shape to their tastes. This is a list of channels that the radio will scan when placed in scan mode, and every channel can have a different scan list assigned to it if you prefer. You can also change scan parameters -- even make duplicate lists with only the parameters changed. 

Let's look at that file "tree", and click on the "+" next to "Scan List": 

   As you can see, I have several different scan lists in this codeplug.  Let's suppose that I want to add  "MSP Midwest Regional" to the "MSP Regionals" scan list. First, single-click on "Midwest Regionals": 

  You'll see a box like this, similar to what we saw when we edited zones. You can, of course, change the name of the scan list -- though it never displays on your radio -- by typing in a new name at the top box. This scan list only has digital channels (talk-groups) on it, but you can mix in analogue channels if you prefer. By clicking on "MSP Midwest Reg", the "Add>>" box appears. Clicking this will add "MSP Midwest Reg" to the "MSP Regionals" scan list. 

  You will have to go back to the "MSP Midwest Regional" channel and assign this scan list to it once this is done, however. 

  There are boxes for Priority Channels with a drop-down menu. You can make any channel in the scan list a priority channel, meaning the radio will check it more frequently when scanning, and you can set the amount of time you want the scan to dwell on that priority channel to the right (under Priority Sample Time). "Signaling Hold Time" determines how long the radio will remain on a channel once it detects activity. When you key up your mic during a scan, the radio will transmit on the channel specified under "TX Designated Channel". It doesn't have to be the channel that activity was detected on, though that's usually what's done. 

  To be clear, what this change has done -- once the channel is edited, the file saved, and the file uploaded to the radio -- is to change which channels will be scanned. If you are on "MSP USA" and hit scan, "MSP Midwest Regional" will now be scanned along with the other channels in the scan list. Previously, it would have been left out because it wasn't on the scan list. 

  In the last post, we had an analogue channel without a scan list assigned. Using the "Add" button on the bottom of the scan list box (shown above), I made a new scan list called "UHF Local". And, using the same technique that we employed above to add "MSP Midwest Reg" to the "MSP Regionals" scan list, I made the following new scan list of analogue repeaters: 

  You'll notice that "HHM .650" (the 444.650+ HandiHam repeater) is second from the top. Again, we take channels from the left side and add them to the right side. Every channel on this list had to be edited to assign "UHF Local" as the scan list. This is how that looks in the case of "HHM .650": 

   Once "UHF Local" was created as a scan list, I selected it from the drop-down menu on the channel. If properly done, hitting scan when on any one of the channels in "UHF Local" will scan all of the channels in the list. 

  As you might have guessed by now, making a code plug is a lot of work. These modifications are relatively easy, because of the groundwork laid by codeplug's author. With a little effort, you can polish up that original effort and make something that works ideally for your individual situation.