Is DMR Replacing Analogue Radio?

Radio is a medium that we take for granted. We listen to the radio for entertainment in the home and the car, using it for communication. Therefore it’s interesting to consider that radio as we know it is no more than 100 years old. Originally researched and developed by the great pioneer Guglielmo Marconi, the breakthrough came when short wave radio was shown to broadcast long distances. Free of the line of sight, ships at sea could now use radio to communicate from afar.

So, what has this to do with DMR, and indeed, what is DMR? That’s what we will talk about in this brief article, so let’s get started. 

What is DMR?

If you are new to the world of radio, then this interesting read about DMR is worth checking out. DMR stands for ‘Digital Mobile Radio’ and is among the latest developments in radio and communication. Digital radio has been with us for some time and is a more powerful and efficient method of broadcasting. 

However, digital mobile radio is now taking hold of traditional analog communication devices. DMR uses small hand-held transmitters/receivers. These look like – and indeed are – a new breed of ‘walkie-talkie.’ They’ve become popular for business use and have also been picked up by amateur radio enthusiasts – or ham radio users – for a good reason. There are three ‘tiers’ involved in DMR usage, so let’s talk about them. 

What Is DMR Used For?

Various groups of people use DMR. We’ve mentioned amateur radio users, and there are also business users. The benefit of DMR is that there are three different usage levels, these being ‘Tiers.’

Tier 1 DMR is the basic level. The attraction for amateur users and businesses is that DMR Tier 1 does not require a license. However, users of this level of DMR are restricted to set frequencies that are not part of the amateur radio frequency range. This does not prevent these handsets from being surprisingly usable.

DMR Tier 2 is a more sophisticated level of usage that allows for integrated data to be transmitted and does require a license. Tier 3 is for voice and short message services and supports data packets.

Who Uses DMR? Aside from the amateur band of users, DMR has widely used communication between two persons or perhaps a member of staff and a base. Think of the agriculture industry; persons tending to a crop or flock in a field far from the central hub can contact when needed. Large warehouses also use DMR for communications, as do office blocks, government buildings, and anywhere that one-to-one communication is needed.

The security industry is rapidly moving from two-way analog radio to DMR. The coverage is better, quality improved greatly, and they put less strain on the battery than analog models, thus providing longer use between charges. If you have checked the review we mentioned earlier, you will be aware of the low cost of equipping a DMR set, which is another reason they are becoming popular. 

Does Analogue Radio Have a Future?

There are many uses for analog radio, and as far as the future goes, it will always have a use. For example, many of the world’s military and security services use shortwave radio for communication. The aviation industry is also a shortwave user, as is the maritime industry. Short wave analog radio has benefits not found in other types of broadcast.

For the amateur radio enthusiast, short wave analog remains the method of choice. However, unlike the basic tier of DMR, to become a ham radio user requires passing an examination and being granted a license and a user code. Without these, you cannot broadcast on any analog radiofrequency. This is why newcomers to amateur radio choose a cheap hand-held DMR set to find out if the radio is something they want to get involved in. 

Should I Use DMR? 

If you are reading this, you’re likely here because DMR is something you are interested in using. The question is: are you looking at DMR for business use or pleasure? For the former, it is useful in any business venture where people need to work at different places but need to keep in touch. The businesses we’ve mentioned earlier are some examples, and others can be security or organizers at festivals and events, and even restaurants for front of the house to kitchen communications. 

Conclusion

DMR is not replacing analog radio, but more users are switching to portable DMR sets for its benefits in terms of versatility, quality, and the lack of need for a license. Check out DMR in more detail, and it might be the answer for you.