Useful Links
Gruppo Radio Firenze
https://grupporadiofirenze.net
Gruppo Radio Firenze (GRF) is a collective of radio amateurs active mainly in the Tuscan area, committed for years to the experimentation and management of digital radio systems. It is not a formal association, but an informal group of OMs who share a strong passion for communication technologies, homebrewing, and innovation applied to amateur radio.
Among the group's main activities, the management of digital DMR, C4FM, and D-Star repeaters stands out, as well as the development and maintenance of multi-protocol systems (including XLX and pYSFReflector servers) interconnected to the main Italian and international digital networks. The GRF infrastructure is designed to guarantee redundancy, interoperability between protocols, and easy access for users, with particular attention to stability and territorial coverage.
But the beating heart of the group is undoubtedly technical experimentation. In particular, GRF is carrying out very interesting projects related to the LoRa APRS world, with the aim of building a light and low-consumption network for transmitting GPS positions, beacons, and text messages on 433 MHz frequencies. This is an ideal technology for mountain activities, civil protection, outdoors, and contexts where traditional networks (mobile or internet) are unavailable.
Alongside this, the group also tests and documents solutions like MeshCom, a decentralized messaging system via radio, useful in emergency or isolation scenarios. Everything is done with transparent documentation, published in an open and collaborative way on the official website (grupporadiofirenze.net).
The GRF operates in a completely free and horizontal manner, supporting itself through voluntary donations from participants (typically around €30/year), which are used to cover running costs: site rental, servers, electricity, network equipment, and radio gear.
Gruppo Radio Firenze aims to be a reference point for those wishing to go beyond the conventional use of digital systems, getting hands-on with configuring reflectors, multi-protocol gateways, APRS-IS servers, and developing new operational solutions. It is an ideal environment for OMs with an experimental spirit, interested in contributing to real projects and the collective growth of amateur radio knowledge.
Anyone interested can consult the online resources or contact active members directly through the official website. Participating is simple: just bring curiosity, technical competence, and a desire to contribute.
VHF and Above
VHF e Superiori is an online platform designed for Italian radio amateurs passionate about VHF, UHF, and higher bands. The site was born with the aim of creating a dedicated space for those who experiment, activate, listen, or simply want to stay updated on the world of high frequencies.
The philosophy of the project is simple: connect operators active on 50 MHz, 144 MHz, 430 MHz, and beyond, valuing everyone's work and promoting a collective and participatory radio activity. The site hosts events, tools, and content useful to all OMs operating on these bands, offering a clear and easily accessible reference point.
One of the most famous events organized by the platform is the Radio Flash Mob, a monthly event involving hundreds of stations across Italy. During the flash mob, participants meet on the frequency to test connections and check propagation in a friendly but well-structured context, with reports, rankings, and even digital eQSLs to remember the activity.
But the portal doesn't stop at events. Any user can contribute by reporting active repeaters, working beacons, or simply sharing their operating experiences. All collected data is publicly available and helps track the "state of health" of high frequencies in the Italian amateur radio landscape.
VHF e Superiori is a collaborative, free, and open tool for all radio amateurs. It has no commercial or advertising purposes and is powered exclusively by the passion and participation of its community. Registration allows access to additional features, such as sending logs, downloading eQSLs, and viewing event rankings.
In a radio world often focused on HF, this platform represents a true home for those who love to experiment above 30 MHz. Whether you work from a fixed station, portable, mobile, or in the mountains, here you will find a space to feel part of an active and competent network, always ready to share and grow together.
XLX585
The XLX585.net site is the access point to a multi-protocol digital reflector that connects ham radio operators from all over Italy (and beyond) via D-STAR, DMR, and C4FM/YSF systems. It is a platform designed for those operating in digital who wish to communicate easily across different protocols without worrying about compatibility.
Behind XLX585 is a flexible and well-organized structure that allows automatic transcoding between the various systems. In practice, an OM connected in D-STAR can speak with one using DMR or YSF, simply by connecting to the same module of the reflector. It is an extremely useful tool for those with home hotspots or repeaters that support the XLX protocol.
The site offers a very clear dashboard where you can see connected stations, active modules, and even network latency graphs between nodes in real time. There is also a section dedicated to connected repeaters, showing their geographical position and altitude, such as those installed on Monte Cimone or at Ceresole Reale.
A very interesting aspect of XLX585 is its integration into the Italian BrandMeister network: by selecting the right module (such as module B or C), you are automatically connected to talkgroups 222xx, making the connection experience simple and accessible even for those not too familiar with more advanced digital configurations.
Everything is designed to offer maximum interoperability and freedom of connection, without protocol limits. All you need is a registered ID, a digital radio, and a bit of curiosity to start exploring this system.
OpenGD77
https://opengd77.com/downloads/PC_CPS/Latest/
https://opengd77.com/downloads/releases/
Site dedicated to the modified firmware par excellence for Chinese brand radios. Initially a forum, it became a static site due to repeated cyber attacks.
IJV Mod for Quansheng K6
Site featuring the modified firmware for Quansheng K6 and clones.
Nicsure mods
https://www.patreon.com/nicsure
Patreon page of Nicsure, firmware hacker of Tidradio TD-H3, H8, and RadTel RT-880/890 radios.
IZ8WNH.IT
The IZ8WNH.it website is an indispensable tool for every amateur radio operator working on the move, portable, or simply wishing to plan their radio activities with precision. Born from the initiative of the Calabrian OM of the same name, the portal offers an interactive and constantly updated map of repeaters and beacons in Italy and around the world.
The interface is simple and intuitive: by opening the map, you can quickly view all active repeaters in the desired area, with detailed info on frequency, shift, CTCSS/DCS tone, and modulation type (FM, DMR, C4FM, D-Star, etc.). Thanks to geolocation, it is also possible to automatically identify repeaters closest to your position, a feature extremely useful during car trips, hikes, or field activities.
One of the most appreciated aspects of the platform is the ability for users to report new repeaters or update existing ones, thus helping keep the database alive and reliable. The community itself becomes an active part of the project, making IZ8WNH.it a collaborative and continuously evolving tool.
Whether it's planning a weekend portable, planning the activation of a reference, or simply knowing which repeaters are active along a road route, IZ8WNH.it is a practical, fast, and updated reference, accessible from any device connected to the internet.
The site is particularly aimed at those ham radio operators who engage in dynamic activities — in cars, campers, or during mountain activations — and need to know "on the fly" where to transmit and listen. But it is also useful for those operating from home who want to monitor repeater coverage in their region or neighboring areas.
MAP4HAM
MapForHam is a completely free online platform designed for radio amateurs, CB, SWL, and radio communication enthusiasts. Conceived and developed by Diego IU1FIG, it quickly became a practical and powerful tool for locating repeaters, hotspots, beacons, and digital and analog radio repeaters worldwide.
Its interface is based on an interactive map, available both in 2D and in a spectacular 3D globe view. Users can zoom, pan, click on markers, and view all technical information: frequencies, shift, CTCSS/DCS tones, modulation type (FM, DMR, C4FM, D-Star, EchoLink, etc.), and even the distance from their current location.
One of MapForHam's strengths is its collaborative philosophy: any user can contribute by reporting new repeaters or modifying existing ones via a simple form. In this way, the database is always kept up to date thanks to the direct contribution of the amateur radio community. It is not a commercial project, but is born out of the ham spirit of sharing and collective growth.
MapForHam is not just a map. It also integrates advanced features, such as an online logbook to record QSOs and send eQSLs, an event calendar with amateur radio appointments, and even the ability to report your QRV status via app or Telegram bot.
It is the ideal tool for the OM on the move: traveling, in a camper, portable, or during mountain activations. Just open the map, locate yourself, and instantly view all active repeaters in the surroundings. But it is also useful from home to plan activities or simply browse repeaters in other countries.
It is accessible from any connected device: enough a browser, or you can install the handy Android app available on Google Play.
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