Getting started
Getting started on M17
Ready to get on the air with M17? There are many options for operating M17, ranging from Internet clients that run on your computer or smartphone to modems and even commercially produced radios that are capable of M17 out of the box. There's a solution for just about everyone.
Unlike some other modes, registration is not required and your identifier is your Amateur Radio callsign.
This page describes the many options available for end users.
M17 over radio
For many people, using a radio on Amateur frequencies is their preference. Fortunately, there are many options available.
While M17 can be used on simplex between radio, most activity takes place on the worldwide network of reflectors. To access reflectors from a radio, you either need a local M17 repeater or install an M17 hotspot.
Commercially manufactured M17 radios
Connect Systems sell two models of M17 capable radios:
These radios run OpenRTX and are ready for M17 out of the box.
Modified DMR radios
A number of inexpensive DMR radios can be converted to run M17 by doing some basic hardware modifications (which require SMD soldering skills) and replacing the stock firmware with OpenRTX. Supported models include TYT MD380/390 and MD-UV380/390, and Retevis RT3 and RT3S. See the Radio Compatibility List for more information.
External modems
A number of external M17 modems exist. These work with 9600 baud compatible radios. The Radio Compatibility List lists radios known to work (or not) with M17 modems. External modems available include:
- Module 17 - a standalone Module17 modem.
- MMDVM running M17Client. M17Client also works with MMDVM hotspot boards, resulting in a very low powered M17 transceiver.
- Mobilinkd TNC4 - Can be used as a M17 data modem, or paired with the companion Android app for voice.
- m17tools - M17tools is a software modem suite which uses a computer soundcard to generate and decode M17 baseband. The DigiRig is a commonly available digital mode interface capable of passing M17 baseband, and recommended for use with m17tools.
- M17 Rust Toolkit - Crates for Rust developers to build M17 packet and voice applications or experiment with the protocol.
Software Defined Radios
There is some M17 support for SDRs.
- gr-m17 - This is an implementation of M17 for GNU Radio.
- SDRangel - Has native M17 support. May not be fully compliant.
Internet/IP clients
M17 reflectors can be accessed directly over the Internet using client software. Some of the available client software includes:
- DroidStar - Multimode digital voice client which runs on Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android and (by jumping through a few hoops, iOS).
- DroidStar-DMR - Fork of DroidStar. Adds some features and for iOS users, easier installation.
- mvoice - Original M17 client for Linux. Features ham-DHT support and direct routing.
Crossmode gateways
It is possible to create a software bridge between a M17 reflector and radios running other modes. Software such as MMDVM_CM tools and DVSwitch can be used to build such gateways. See the examples below.
WARNING Do not bridge non M17 repeaters to M17 reflectors without permission from BOTH sides.
For personal use, it is recommended to use a SHARI (or equivalent) or hotspot on the non M17 side of the bridge.
- AllStar to M17 gateway using USRP2M17
- DMR to M17 Gateway using DMR2M17
Receive or transmit only
There are a number of receive or transmit only systems. These include:
Receive only
- SDR++ Software Defined Radio. Includes native M17 support. Very useful for setting M17 transmitter deviation.
- OpenWebRx remote web SDR. Includes M17 support.
Transmit only
- rpitx Command line SDR transmitter which uses a GPIO pin to transmit RF. Can transmit M17.