Dynamic Memory Architecture
From The RadioReference Wiki
Dynamic Memory Architecture is Uniden's implementation for storing and organizing systems, sites, groups, channels, and talkgroups in a scanner.
A scanner that implements Dynamic Memory Architecture has a pool of memory to store any programmed data. The pool is divided into blocks.
A system is the top-most element that can be created in DMA. Within each system, a number of Groups can be created. Within each Group, a number of Channels (for a conventional System) or Talkgroups (for a trunked System) can be created.
Some scanners also allow multiple Sites to be programmed for a trunked System.
Each System, Site, Group, Channel, or Talkgroup will occupy one or more blocks.
Usually, each System can be assigned a System Quick Key, to provide easy access to enable the System to be scanned. If the scanner implements Sites to be programmed for a System, usually each site may be programmed with a Site Quick Key. Likewise, Groups can usually be assigned a Group Key Quick.
The number of memory blocks varies by scanner. The allowable number of Systems, Groups within a System, and Channels/Talkgroups within a Group also vary by scanner model.
The following Uniden models are considered DMA scanners, along with the type of trunking they perform. Please see the respective links for more information
- BCD396T analog/digital trunking
- BCD396XT analog/digital trunking (expected 1Q 2009)
- BR330T analog trunking only
- BC346XT analog trunking only (expected 1Q 2009)
- BC246T analog trunking only
- SC230 no trunking
- BCD996T analog/digital trunking
- BCT15 analog trunking only
How Can I Get Started?
Your first step begins with an article written by UPMan called Scanner Programming;Man Machine Interface. This article will give you an introduction into how to set up a DMA radio; note that it was written before all the current models were in production, but the basic ideas are still the same. A basic description of the architecture can be found here .
How do I Lay Out My Groups and Systems?
As suggested in the above article, the use of a spreadsheet or other columnar layouts will help in getting things organized.
Return to the Uniden DMA FAQ