K2PI (Komunitas Komunikasi Portabel Indonesia, the Indonesian Portable Communications Community) grew out of the effort to build a Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) network in Indonesia with a structured, integrated user database, from district level up to national level, so that every account and DMR ID can be recognised as a unique identity.
Why K2PI was founded
In 2018, the founder of K2PI, now CEO of PT. Digital Mobile Radio Indonesia (DMRID), began building a communication system based on DMR network technology. A system like this needs a well-structured, integrated database so that every user can be identified by region, from district level up to the national level.
At first a single server was built carrying the talkgroups of the main groups. Because facilities were limited, the website at the time could only present the idea through an SOP for using DMR over the network; it was not yet a neatly organised server.
Even so, many people registered because they wanted to learn about DMR from the user side, especially users of DMR radios paired with MMDVM hotspots, which were popular at the time. That led to the initiative to build the Komunitas Komunikasi Portabel Indonesia server as a home for people who enjoy and want to explore everything about DMR.
The K2PI journey
- 2018Work began on a DMR network communication system with a user database structured from district to national level. The first server carried the talkgroups of the main groups, and the website set out the idea of an SOP for using DMR over the network.
- 2019Several servers (talkgroups) were provided for communication between community groups. The servers were first intended for an amateur DMR system. Because many people within the amateur community itself considered DMR illegal, inefficient and so on, the leading code 5 was reassigned to Komunitas Komunikasi Portabel Indonesia (K2PI).
- 20 October 2021Talkgroup 555 K2PI Nasional was born.
- The years that followedInterest in DMR stayed small, while VoIP + PTT communities backed by third-party platforms (Mumble, Zello, TeamSpeak 3 and others) took over the market. K2PI faded from view despite having more than 500 members, but stayed committed to the Indonesian DMR Network.
- Security reviewAfter years of running servers, the weaknesses of DMR communication in terms of security became clear. Based on these observations, the DMR ID, callsign and password were linked together, so users can use their account without worrying that someone else is transmitting with their DMR ID.
- TodayThe DMRID system has been upgraded in both its database and its network. The facilities that came out of these observations are built by developing the DMR server application dmrid_link, the Analog Bridge (dmrid-bridge + Opus–AMBE-3003 vocoder), and client apps that make operation easier for users.
Talkgroups active in the early days
TG 500 was renamed from AMATIR Nasional to KRAI Nasional because the word “amatir” (amateur) is closely associated with ORARI, the Indonesian Amateur Radio Organisation. The term KRAI only refers to a community or group of people who hold a legal amateur licence (IAR), and it has no connection with ORARI.
DMRID and K2PI: what is the difference?
| DMRID | K2PI | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | PT. Digital Mobile Radio Indonesia | Komunitas Komunikasi Portabel Indonesia |
| Type | Corporate (company) | Community |
| Role | Builds and runs the Indonesian DMR Network: the user database, the DMR server (dmrid_link), dmrid-bridge with its vocoder, and the client apps | A home for people who enjoy and want to explore everything about DMR, and users of the Indonesian DMR Network |
| On the network | The network and identity system: every account is tied to a DMR ID, callsign and password | Community talkgroups, with TG 555 K2PI Nasional as the main talkgroup |
Questions and answers
What is K2PI?
K2PI (Komunitas Komunikasi Portabel Indonesia) is a community for people who enjoy and want to explore everything about DMR. Its members communicate over the Indonesian DMR Network, with TG 555 K2PI Nasional as the main talkgroup.
What is DMRID?
DMRID is PT. Digital Mobile Radio Indonesia, the company that builds and runs the Indonesian DMR Network: a user database structured from district to national level, the DMR servers, dmrid-bridge with its vocoder, and the client apps.
What is the difference between DMRID and K2PI?
DMRID is the company that provides and manages the system and the network. K2PI is the community that uses it. The founder of K2PI is also CEO of DMRID, but the two are different in form and role.
When was K2PI born?
Its roots go back to 2018, when the DMR system and database began to be built. In 2019 several talkgroup servers were provided for the public and the leading code 5 was reassigned to K2PI. Talkgroup 555 K2PI Nasional was born on 20 October 2021.
Why does K2PI use the leading code 5?
The servers were first built for an amateur DMR system. Because many people within the amateur community itself considered DMR illegal, inefficient and so on, the leading code 5 was reassigned to Komunitas Komunikasi Portabel Indonesia.
What is KRAI, and is it related to ORARI?
KRAI is the name of TG 500, formerly AMATIR Nasional. The term KRAI only refers to a community or group of people who hold a legal amateur licence (IAR), and it has no connection with ORARI. The name was changed because the word “amatir” is closely associated with the Indonesian Amateur Radio Organisation.
Why does login need a DMR ID, callsign and password?
Years of running servers showed that ordinary DMR systems are weak on security: someone's DMR ID can be used by another person. Tying the DMR ID, callsign and password together lets every user use their account without fear of misuse, and keeps the integrity of Indonesian DMR Network users intact.
What equipment can I use?
DMR radios with an MMDVM hotspot (Pi-Star and similar), apps on phones, POC devices and PCs, and radio gateways. The DMRID client apps are on the Downloads page, and how to connect is in the Server Guide.
If you do not hold an amateur callsign, use a phone, PC or POC device when you QSO on non-amateur talkgroups. Digital Mobile Radio handhelds must not be used by people without an amateur callsign.
How is this different from VoIP + PTT apps such as Zello or Mumble?
The Indonesian DMR Network brings DMR radios, hotspots and apps together in one network. Every member has a unique DMR ID structured by region, and login is tied to a callsign and password, so every speaker on the network can be identified.
How do I join?
Sign up on the Registration page. Once an admin approves it, you get an account with a callsign and DMR ID that you can use straight away in the DMRID apps or on a hotspot.