So, you’ve just unboxed your new Anytone AT-D868UV (or the 878). It’s a fantastic handset—rugged, dual-band, and capable of handling DMR, analog FM, and DPMR. But let’s be honest: the out-of-the-box programming is bare-bones. If you want to hit the local repeaters, especially on the DMR network, you need a solid codeplug.
For new hams in the UK, the terminology can be daunting. Codeplugs, talk groups, time slots, colour codes... where do you even start?
Here is a guide to finding, downloading, and installing a UK-ready codeplug for your Anytone 868.
A surprising number of UK hams host their codeplugs on GitHub. Search anytone 868 codeplug uk on GitHub for the most up-to-date, open-source versions. anytone 868 codeplug uk
Major Caveat: A downloaded codeplug will contain the previous owner's DMR ID. You must delete their ID and insert your own UK DMR ID (e.g., 234XXXX). Failure to do this will result in you keying up under someone else’s identity, which is a serious breach of amateur etiquette and could get their ID banned.
Every UK codeplug needs these simplex channels for direct radio-to-radio contact:
| Channel Name | Frequency | Mode | Power | Tone | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | UK 2m Calling | 145.500 MHz | FM | Medium (5W) | None (CSQ) | | UK 70cm Calling | 433.500 MHz | FM | Medium (4W) | None | | UK Simplex 1 (2m) | 145.375 MHz | FM | Low (1W) | None | | UK Simplex 13 (70cm) | 433.475 MHz | FM | Low (1W) | None | So, you’ve just unboxed your new Anytone AT-D868UV
Note: The 430-432 MHz segment is for secondary use only (weak signal modes like SSB/CW). Stick to 433.000-433.500 and 434.000-434.500 for FM simplex.
While these vary by repeater, a good UK codeplug will poll the online repeater database (BrandMeister) to ensure each repeater channel uses the correct Colour Code (CC) and Time Slot (TS) . Most UK repeaters use TS1 for local traffic and TS2 for talkgroups like 2350, but this is not universal.
Organise your codeplug into Zones (max 16 channels per zone recommended for fast scrolling). The D868UV is not a scanner – receiving
| Zone Name | Contents | |------------|----------| | UK Simplex | 145.500 (S20 calling), 145.400, 145.575; 433.500 (S20 UHF), 433.400, 433.575 | | UK FM Repeaters | Local 2m & 70cm analogue repeaters (with CTCSS where needed) | | UK DMR (BM) | UK BrandMeister talkgroups (see §4) on local DMR repeaters | | PMR446 (RX) | 8 PMR446 channels (RX only – set TX disable) | | Emergency | Calling channels + CB UK (RX only optional) | | Scanner | Marine VHF, airband (RX only – if radio supports) |
The D868UV is not a scanner – receiving outside amateur bands may be poor.