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Create DMR contacts, talkgroups, and receive groups
The short version
Build the destination before you build the channel
A digital contact is a Group Call, Private Call, or carefully authorized All Call destination. A receive group decides which group calls may open audio on a channel.
Codeplug contacts are not the large caller database that displays names for received DMR IDs. Build the destinations your channels use first. Import caller-display data separately if you want it.
Models covered
The relationship stays the same even when the screens move
All three radios connect contact → optional receive group → channel → zone. Use the exact model’s CPS and do not import another model’s codeplug simply because the labels look familiar.
Compare models and required versions
| Model | Verified procedure | Required version | Important difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMR-6X2 | Create contacts and receive groups in DMR-6X2 CPS | Current matching CPS | Up to 10,000 codeplug contacts; separate 200,000-record caller database. |
| DMR-6X2 PRO | Create contacts and receive groups in PRO CPS | Current matching PRO CPS | Up to 10,000 codeplug contacts; separate 500,000-record caller database. |
| DA-7X2 | Create contacts and receive groups in DA CPS | Current matching DA CPS | Up to 10,000 talkgroups/codeplug contacts; separate 500,000-record caller database. |
Create one talkgroup contact and receive group
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Create or verify your Radio ID
Open the model’s Radio ID list, enter your assigned numeric ID, and give it a clear label. A Radio ID identifies the station; it is not a talkgroup.
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Create the talkgroup contact
Open Digital Contacts or Talk Groups, add the verified number, choose the correct call type, and use a short recognizable name. Do not turn a group destination into Private Call unless the system specifically requires it.
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Make a focused receive group
Add only the group contacts that should open audio on the channel. Leave private-call behavior to the exact radio/system workflow instead of treating the receive group as an everything list.
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Assign the contact to a channel
Create or edit the DMR channel. Set verified frequency, color code, time slot, Radio ID, transmit contact, receive group, power, and admit criteria.
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Put the channel in a zone
Add the finished channel to the zone you will select on the radio, save the codeplug, write it, and read the radio back.
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Test receive before transmit
Confirm the displayed talkgroup and slot on received traffic. Transmit only after you have verified authorization and the local system rules.
Keep the two contact systems separate
| List | What it does | When to update it |
|---|---|---|
| Codeplug contacts / talkgroups | Provides destinations that channels can transmit to and receive groups can reference | Whenever the repeater, network, or operating plan changes |
| Caller lookup database | Turns a received numeric Radio ID into display information | When you want fresher callsign/name/location data; it does not create a transmit destination |
Troubleshooting
| What happened | Likely reason | Next check |
|---|---|---|
| A talkgroup does not appear in the channel contact menu | It was created with the wrong call type or not saved | Reopen Digital Contacts, verify the numeric ID and Group Call type, save, then reopen the channel. |
| The channel receives one group but not another | The receive group is missing that Group Call contact | Add the verified contact to the channel’s receive group—or create a separate channel if the system expects separate operation. |
| The display shows a number instead of a person | The caller lookup database is missing or stale | Update the separate compatible caller database; do not add thousands of lookup records as codeplug contacts. |
| PTT targets the wrong destination | The channel has the wrong transmit contact or a manual-talkgroup override is still active | Stop transmitting, confirm the displayed contact, clear the override, and correct the saved channel. |
Comments (4)
How do you access the Friends List from the radio to contact those who are on that list?
Reach out to our support at [email protected]
Can someone please provide a link to this file AmateurRadio.Digital DMR-6X2 Digital Contacts Wizard (FREE)”, it is not showing on the update page.
Hi John — the older AmateurRadio.Digital wizard is no longer part of the current workflow. The article and DMR-6X2 repository now link to the current full worldwide contact database. Because the full list can exceed the radio’s 200,000-contact capacity, download it, edit or filter the CSV to the records you want without changing the required column headings, then import it in the DMR-6X2 CPS and write the Digital Contact List to the radio.