OpenGD77

Hi guys, it's been a while- but I have great news to share with you.

I have created a custom implementation on the latest OpenGD77 build that features SMS. And yes, I used AI. But before you guys judge: I'm still in high school, so I don't have all the plain programming skills. And I think it is also a technique to make prompts, gather intel/documentation for SMS, testing, building, bug fixing, etc.

Current progression:

* DMR SMS (ETSI format)
* ACK Handling
* Inbox/Sent with saved messages
* Quick text feature
* Settings: Filter incoming SMS / Wait for ACK

Experimental ideas:

* Talkgroup messaging
* Integration with Brandmeister. This is my primary goal. Also, if this works, DAPNET messaging will work too!
* Repeater compatibility
* UI Improvement

Things that are still Unknown at this stage:

* I've only tested it with my UV390's (10w). So I don't know if other STM32 models will also work, but for that, we have a community.
* Repeater behaviour, especially Brandmeister
* Bugs (will update here, but till now: no bugs found)
* Storage: My radio isn't fully loaded with thousands of contacts, channels, etc. So I don't know if it works on Fuller Radio's


The implementation is still in the early research phase, but the goal is to eventually make it stable enough to work on all STM32 radios. I don't know if there are possibilities for MK22 based radio's, maybe in the future. For now, I will focus on the STM32 radios.

There are a few things that you guys can help me with:
- Testing with other STM32 radios
- Reporting bugs
- Creating new ideas for SMS
- Hotspot/BM repeater testing (BTW: Go to selfcare in Brandmeister settings, and set the format to 'ETSI') This will not work yet. Thanks to DK7LF, I will acquire a hotspot for developing this!
- Sharing ideas for the UI

If anyone wants to share knowledge about this, please, everything is useful.

In the .zip is a build for every STM32 radio. As of today, it is only tested with the UV380 and UV390. If you upload it on another radio, please report here.

PS: Can someone please share this in the Facebook opengd77 group? I can't post anything there. Thanks!!

Little note on the quick text: Hold 0 to create a new one.
I'm not responsible for any damage. Use at your own risk.

INSTALLING:

- Put your radio in DFU mode (SK1+PTT when turning on)
- Head to the grid.radio/opengd77 online cps
- Tools -> Firmware Update
- At the STM32 section, click on 'Custom File'
- Upload the .bin
- Connect your radio (top of the site)
- Upload firmware

Hold the green button to open the SMS menu.

AGAIN: THIS SHOULD WORK WITH THE UV390/80. I DON'T KNOW IF OTHER RADIOS WILL WORK TO.

And also, please feel free to share your knowledge about sms. I'm very interested in how we can get brandmeister working with this.
Future updates will follow.

(FIXED) UPDATE 16-3: Due to a bug, I have taken down the build. I expect to fix it today.
Update: Updated the instruction txt file
Update: I5EKX is reporting functionality with the UV380
Build Update 16-3 22:05 PM GMT+0: Updated settings (in the previous build changing settings had no effect. Now they have!)


Till 20 march I have tests, so I wont publish bug fixes/ other builds till then.

PD1FR

Hey PD1FR! 73 from your fellow hams around the world!

What you've pulled off here is absolutely INCREDIBLE and we genuinely cannot stop talking about it! A high school student who independently builds a fully working DMR SMS implementation for OpenGD77 — with ETSI format, ACK handling, Inbox/Sent management AND a Quick Text feature, that is not a small side project. That is serious, meaningful development work that would make many seasoned programmers proud!

And about using AI please don't apologize for that, not even for a second! Knowing how to leverage the right tools, structure complex problems, gather and understand technical documentation, build, test and fix bugs, THAT is the craft. You figured that out before most people ever do. That's not a shortcut, that's modern engineering, and you're already doing it brilliantly!

The amateur radio community needs exactly this kind of young, creative energy. You're bringing fresh ideas and real momentum to a project that so many of us love. Brandmeister integration as your primary goal? If anyone in this community can make that happen, it's you!

Please keep going! Don't let the unknowns or the open questions discourage you, that's just what real development looks like. We've got your back as testers, as a community, as fellow hams.

Good luck with your exams until March 20th! we'll be patiently waiting for the next update and cheering you on every step of the way!

73 & 55, your ham radio friends
From DL / PA / DX and everywhere in between

Thanks for this great news, I installed the FW on a UV-MD380, but the SMS menu doesn't appear, I only see "SMS options" in Option and that's it, I'm in Private Call, where am I going wrong?...

To open the sms menu you have to hold the green button. I updated the documentation, it was wrong.

It works! I tried sending myself a text message via two UV-MD380s and the message arrived. Both had the entire global dBase Call loaded and 549 memories occupied. I used a HS connected to the BM network; the text message was sent with the radio set to TG 22251.

I5EKX wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2026 4:54 pm It works! I tried sending myself a text message via two UV-MD380s and the message arrived. Both had the entire global dBase Call loaded and 549 memories occupied. I used a HS connected to the BM network; the text message was sent with the radio set to TG 22251.

Wait, so you are saying that it works trough Brandmeister (hotspot)? That would be incredible. Nice to see it anyways.

So, the two radios are configured on TG 22251, slot 2 and CC1, both on the HS frequency that is connected and visible on BM. To have reliable proof of SMS transit via BM, at least one of the two radios would need to be connected to the network via a DMR repeater connected to BM.
I can't test it myself right now, and the BM repeater in Livorno won't be turned back on anytime soon. However, I think I can run some tests with correspondents (active on RPT BM) as soon as they update their radios.
I'll let you know...

Great!

I get what you are saying. It is indeed true that it would be the most reliable to have someone far away on the same TG.

I have a hotspot coming in, so we can play around with BM then. For now- thanks for the report!

Thanks for reviving OpenGD77 development!