anytone 868 codeplug uk
anytone 868 codeplug uk

The Ultimate Guide to the Anytone 868 Codeplug for UK Amateur Radio

If you are a licensed amateur radio operator in the United Kingdom and own an Anytone AT-D868UV (or its newer firmware cousins, the D878UV), you have likely encountered the single most critical file for your radio: the codeplug. Searching for the perfect “Anytone 868 codeplug UK” can feel like a wild goose chase. Do you build your own from scratch? Do you risk downloading an outdated file from a random Facebook group?

This article will explain exactly what a codeplug is, why the UK market requires a specific setup (analogue, DMR, and the UK General/Simple UK Light frequency bands), where to find reliable community codeplugs, and how to build your own master configuration.

Step 1: Setting Up the Radio ID and Contact

5. PMR446 (RX Only – Legal Warning)

Never transmit on PMR446 with this radio – it is illegal and risks interference. Program as RX only:

| Channel | Frequency (MHz) | Note | |---------|----------------|------| | PMR1 | 446.00625 | Simplex | | PMR2 | 446.01875 | Simplex | | … | … up to PMR8 | 446.09375 |

In the codeplug, set TX Disable = On for these channels.

Analogue Integration: The Often-Overlooked Half

Despite the digital trend, VHF/UHF analogue remains vital in the UK for simplex, legacy repeaters, and emergency backup. A solid codeplug dedicates equal care to analogue channels. The UK band plan dictates that 144.000–146.000 MHz is for exclusive amateur use; thus, the simplex calling channel on 2m is 145.500 MHz (FM), and on 70cm it is 433.500 MHz. These should be in every codeplug’s top zone.

Crucially, the D868UV handles analogue squelch and CTCSS (Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System) differently from digital. The codeplug should set CTCSS tone encoding (but not necessarily decoding) on all analogue repeater channels to ensure access, while simplex channels should use carrier squelch (CSQ) to hear all callers. The operator must also input the correct ±600 kHz (2m) or ±1.6 MHz (70cm) shift for repeaters. A common error is copying a DMR codeplug and leaving analogue channels with no offset, rendering them useless for repeater access.

Practical Considerations: CPS Software and Firmware

No essay on the D868UV codeplug is complete without addressing the Customer Programming Software (CPS) . The official AnyTone CPS (version 1.35 or later) is non-negotiable; third-party tools often corrupt the codeplug structure. Furthermore, UK operators must update the radio’s firmware to at least v3.40 (or later) to resolve the infamous "DMR audio lag" and to enable proper display of talkgroup aliases.

When building, the operator should follow the "Import from CSV" method: create a master spreadsheet containing channel number, name, frequency, colour code (for DMR), timeslot, and TX/RX tones. This allows version control and easy sharing—provided the operator redacts their private DMR ID. A solid codeplug is never static; it requires a review every six months to prune dead repeaters and add new hotspots.

Common UK Codeplug Mistakes on the Anytone 868

Even experienced hams mess these up. Avoid these pitfalls:

  1. Wrong Band Plan: The 868’s “Band Plan” menu (under Settings) must reflect the UK amateur allocations. If set to “USA,” you cannot access 433.500 MHz for simplex.
  2. Forgotten Receive Groups: You program a DMR channel, but you hear nothing. Why? Because you haven’t assigned a “RX Group List” that includes the talkgroup you are monitoring.
  3. DMR ID Typo: One digit wrong in your 7-digit DMR ID, and your radio will key the repeater, but no audio will pass. Triple-check it.
  4. Intelligent Priority Scan: On the 868, if you enable “Intelligent Priority,” the radio periodically checks a priority channel. If that priority channel is a DMR frequency with no Colour Code match, the radio will stall the scan.

Step 6: Upload to Radio

Step 3: Build Your Repeater List (The "Hard" Part)

Visit the BrandMeister UK Repeater Map (repeatermap.brandmeister.network). Filter by “DMR." For each repeater you want, note:

  1. RX Frequency (e.g., 439.4125)
  2. TX Frequency (e.g., 437.8125 - remember the -1.6MHz offset)
  3. Colour Code (Usually 1)
  4. Time Slot (Check the repeater's listing)

In the CPS: