I’m just going to put this here until I memorize these….
6 Group Call - Talk on the XLX Reflector
64000 Private Call - Disconnect Channel
64001 Private Call - Switch to Module A
64002 Private Call - Switch to Module B
64003 Private Call - Switch to Module C
64004 Private Call - Switch to Module D
64005 Private Call - Switch to Channel E
64006 Private Call - Switch to Channel F
...
64026 Private Call - Switch to Module Z
65000 Private Call - Query Status
68020 Private Call - Connect to XLX Reflector 020Reflectors usage on DMR radios is somewhat unusual. The approach to using them differs from the typical way DMR is operated. Centralized networks like BrandMeister and others route transmissions to the correct DMR radio recipients by using the transmitted DMR talk group ID or private call ID. However, XLX on DMR employs a single dedicated talk group ID regardless of which reflector is in use.
When using XLX through a WPSD hotspot (pi-star), talk group ID 6 is used. To connect to a specific reflector, such as XLX307A, you first make a single private call (ker-chunk) to ID 68307. Then, you make another private call (ker-chunk) to ID 64001 to select reflector module A. From that point on, voice traffic to and from the Reflector (XLX307A) is handled via talk group ID 6. To disconnect from the reflector, a single private call (ker-chunk) to ID 64000 is sent.
This method of selecting a reflector is somewhat similar to how analog (non-digital) repeaters use reflectors. Analog repeaters use DTMF key tones to connect and disconnect from their reflectors. The difference with XLX DMR reflectors is that private call ID codes, as described above, are used to perform the same function.
One might question why such a reflector system is preferred over simply using talk group IDs for talk groups. There are several reasons. XLX reflectors, which support DMR, Fusion, and D-Star connections, resemble D-Star reflectors in that each reflector can have up to twenty-six modules (A-Z), each acting like an individual talk group on a typical DMR system. Because each reflector manages its own client connections, the Reflector system is decentralized, and a user can only be connected to one reflector and one module at a time.
Unlike reflectors, networks like BrandMeister allow statically enabled talk group IDs to be active, meaning those groups are transmitted whenever someone keys up on them. This enables monitoring of multiple talk groups simultaneously, unlike the single talk group limitation when using a reflector.
Furthermore, pressing the PTT on a different talk group ID dynamically activates that group. The network forwards those groups to your hotspot, which then transmits them. This functionality explains the presence of a receive list in a DMR radio channel configuration, where any talk group ID or private call ID in the receive list causes the radio to unsquelch, in addition to the main ID for that channel. Ham radios with DMR often have a promiscuous mode, where the radio unsquelches upon receiving any transmission, regardless of the ID.