Analog FM Configuration

Programming your first analog FM codeplug is much easier than configuring DMR. You mainly need the frequency, the repeater offset and, where required, a CTCSS tone.

This guide starts with the most useful 2 m and 70 cm simplex frequencies and then adds a selection of FM repeaters around the Mainz/Rhine-Main area.

The goal is a small and understandable starting codeplug rather than a huge database containing every repeater in Germany.

Default Configuration

Most radios, including the AnyTone AT-D878UV II Plus, are supplied with a sample configuration. These settings provide a useful starting point, but should be reviewed and adjusted according to your personal requirements and operating preferences.

Simplex FM Frequencies

Simplex means that your radio transmits and receives on the same frequency. No repeater is involved and no frequency offset is required. For normal FM simplex operation, no tone is configured unless specifically required.

2 m FM

The following channels provide a useful basic 2 m simplex section:

ChannelFrequency
SX 2mFM Call 500145.5000 MHz
SX 2mFM 5125145.5125 MHz
SX 2mFM 5250145.5250 MHz
SX 2mFM 5375145.5375 MHz
SX 2mFM 5500145.5500 MHz
SX 2mFM 5625145.5625 MHz
SX 2mFM 5750145.5750 MHz
SX 2mFM 5875145.5875 MHz

The channels follow the 12.5 kHz narrowband FM raster used in Germany under the IARU Region 1 band plan. Starting at 145.5000 MHz, frequencies progress in 12.5 kHz steps up to 145.5875 MHz (upper edge of the FM simplex segment 145.2125–145.5875 MHz); repeater outputs follow from 145.6000–145.7875 MHz (−600 kHz shift).

145.5000 MHz (“SX 2mFM Call 500”) is the FM calling frequency – used to establish contact, then QSY to a free simplex channel. Always check the current German frequency allocation plan and IARU Region 1 band plan for updates.

For 12.5 kHz spacing, set the AnyTone to “12.5K” (narrowband): max. FM deviation ±2.5 kHz. The IARU Region 1 plan specifies max. occupied bandwidth of 12 kHz (12K0F3E) – a separate spec from the 12.5 kHz channel spacing, not to be confused.

70 cm FM

A similar simplex section can be created for 70 cm.

ChannelFrequency
SX 70FM Call 500433.5000 MHz
SX 70FM 0000433.0000 MHz
SX 70FM 0125433.0125 MHz
SX 70FM 0250433.0250 MHz
SX 70FM 0375433.0375 MHz
SX 70FM 0500433.0500 MHz
SX 70FM 0625433.0625 MHz
SX 70FM 0750433.0750 MHz
SX 70FM 0875433.0875 MHz
SX 70FM 1000433.1000 MHz
SX 70FM 1125433.1125 MHz
SX 70FM 1250433.1250 MHz
SX 70FM 1375433.1375 MHz
SX 70FM 1500433.1500 MHz
SX 70FM 1625433.1625 MHz
SX 70FM 1750433.1750 MHz
SX 70FM 1875433.1875 MHz
SX 70FM 2000433.2000 MHz
SX 70FM 2125433.2125 MHz
SX 70FM 2250433.2250 MHz
SX 70FM 2375433.2375 MHz
SX 70FM 2500433.2500 MHz
SX 70FM 2625433.2625 MHz
SX 70FM 2750433.2750 MHz
SX 70FM 2875433.2875 MHz
SX 70FM 3000433.3000 MHz
SX 70FM 3125433.3125 MHz
SX 70FM 3250433.3250 MHz
SX 70FM 3375433.3375 MHz
SX 70FM 3500433.3500 MHz
SX 70FM 3625433.3625 MHz
SX 70FM 3750433.3750 MHz
SX 70FM 3875433.3875 MHz
SX 70FM 4000433.4000 MHz
SX 70FM 4125433.4125 MHz
SX 70FM 4250433.4250 MHz
SX 70FM 4375433.4375 MHz
SX 70FM 4500433.4500 MHz
SX 70FM 4625433.4625 MHz
SX 70FM 4750433.4750 MHz
SX 70FM 4875433.4875 MHz
SX 70FM 5000433.5000 MHz
SX 70FM 5125433.5125 MHz
SX 70FM 5250433.5250 MHz
SX 70FM 5375433.5375 MHz
SX 70FM 5500433.5500 MHz
SX 70FM 5625433.5625 MHz
SX 70FM 5750433.5750 MHz
SX 70FM 5875433.5875 MHz

The channels follow the 12.5 kHz narrowband FM raster used in Germany under the IARU Region 1 band plan. The dedicated FM simplex segment on 70 cm runs from 433.0000–433.5875 MHz (12.5 kHz spacing); 433.5000 MHz (“SX 70FM Call 500”) is the FM calling frequency. Channels above 433.5875 MHz fall within the adjoining all-mode segment (433.6000–433.9875 MHz), which is not a dedicated FM simplex zone. Repeater inputs and outputs for 70 cm are located separately, at 430.9500–431.8375 MHz and 438.5500–439.4375 MHz. Always check the current German frequency allocation plan and IARU Region 1 band plan for updates.

Recommended Zone Structure

A simple first codeplug could therefore contain these zones:

Simplex 2m FM

  • SX 2mFM Call 500
  • SX 2mFM 5125

Simplex 70cm FM

  • SX 70FM Call 500
  • SX 70FM 0000

Repeaters FM

  • ZDF 70 Oppenheim
  • GG 70 GrossGer

This keeps the codeplug easy to navigate and leaves DMR configuration in its own section.

Final Check Before Programming

Before writing the codeplug to the radio, verify every repeater channel against a current repeater directory or the repeater operator’s information.

Check at least:

  • RX frequency
  • TX frequency
  • offset
  • FM access method
  • CTCSS frequency, if required
  • 1750 Hz requirement, if applicable
  • current repeater status

A correct frequency is not enough if the access tone or repeater status is wrong.

For a beginner codeplug, it is better to have ten verified channels than fifty channels containing outdated or guessed information.