Join us on Brandmeister Talk Group 31266 (Michigan Nets) for the DMR Tech Net on Monday, September 30th from 7:30 PM ET to 8:25 PM ET. The net will conclude early to allow time to switch (QSY) to the Michigan One DMR Net (which starts at 8:30 PM ET on BrandMeister Talk Group 3126).
This Monday night we want to hear your comments on what DMR network(s) you use, and why. This DMR Tech Net will be devoted to your comments. We’ll start first with K8DIY as last week’s show went over, without time for comments.
Join us every Monday night as we make Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) easy to understand and fun to use!
Here is a map of the United States highlighting the most popular DMR networks in various regions. You can see the different networks represented with symbols and colors for easy identification.
The popularity of amateur radio Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) networks can vary widely across different states, but some trends can be observed based on the networks’ infrastructure, user base, and regional activity. Here’s a general overview of some of the most popular DMR networks across various states in the U.S.:
- BrandMeister DMR
- Most Popular In:
- California: Large number of repeaters and active users.
- Texas: Significant activity due to the open network model.
- Florida: Major activity in large cities and emergency services.
- New York: Heavy use due to interoperability with other modes.
- Michigan: Popular for its open access and customization.
- DMR-MARC
- Most Popular In:
- Illinois: Home to DMR-MARC’s origin and high repeater density.
- Pennsylvania: Strong infrastructure and disciplined usage.
- Ohio: Heavy activity among structured operators.
- New Jersey: Significant mobile and repeater coverage.
- Arizona: Focused on organized communications and public service.
- TGIF DMR
- Most Popular In:
- Tennessee: Vibrant community and custom talkgroups.
- Georgia: Growing network with a focus on community engagement.
- North Carolina: Popular for its active involvement and niche talkgroups.
- Alabama: Increasing popularity for casual and specialized conversations.
- Kentucky: Large local activity through custom talkgroups.
- YSF (Yaesu System Fusion)
- Most Popular In:
- Washington: High interest in cross-mode digital communication.
- Oregon: Popular for its clear audio and community support.
- Colorado: Strong adoption due to interoperability with other digital systems.
- New Mexico: Gaining traction in remote and urban areas.
- Minnesota: Favored for its clear voice and easy access.
- FreeDMR
- Most Popular In:
- Nevada: Growing community and repeater activity.
- South Carolina: Known for open-access and experimentation.
- Mississippi: Popular for low congestion and flexible infrastructure.
- Missouri: Rapid growth in community-driven digital communication.
- Arkansas: Attracts operators looking for a decentralized approach.
- D-STAR
- Most Popular In:
- Virginia: Long-standing popularity with emergency services.
- Massachusetts: Heavy usage in metropolitan areas.
- North Dakota: Reliable for public safety and large-scale events.
- South Dakota: Rural operators favor D-STAR for clear communication.
- Wisconsin: Common among those involved in emergency communications.
- DMR+
- Most Popular In:
- Indiana: Well-structured repeater network and large user base.
- Iowa: Growing network with solid repeater infrastructure.
- Nebraska: Reliable communication across large rural areas.
- Kansas: Ideal for structured, regional talkgroups.
- Wyoming: Low congestion and strong local community activity.
- Mi5 Network
- Most Popular In:
- Michigan: Based here and highly active with emergency and local communication.
- Wisconsin: Expanding footprint with active local clubs.
- Indiana: Increasing popularity due to the flexibility for local talkgroups.
- AmComm
- Most Popular In:
- Louisiana: Strong focus on emergency communication and disaster preparedness.
- Texas: Increasing popularity for emergency management.
- Oklahoma: Focused on public service and emergency drills.
- Florida: Active in disaster response scenarios, particularly during hurricanes.
Summary:
- BrandMeister: Popular in large states with widespread infrastructure (e.g., California, Texas, Florida).
- DMR-MARC: Strong in Midwest and East Coast states, focusing on structure and discipline.
- TGIF: Favored in Southeastern states for its community-driven approach.
- YSF: Well-used in the Pacific Northwest and Central U.S. for clear voice and cross-mode capabilities.
- FreeDMR: Gaining traction in states with smaller, community-focused networks.
- D-STAR: Popular in emergency-preparedness circles and metropolitan areas.
- DMR+: Widely used in rural and structured regional networks in the Midwest.
- Mi5: Primarily active in Michigan and surrounding states with local focus.
- AmComm: Known for emergency and disaster response, especially in hurricane-prone states.
This overview highlights the varying regional preferences, but many networks coexist and are interoperable across the U.S., depending on user needs and local infrastructure.
Here are the Michigan DMR nets we know about.
Saturday:
- 7:00pm Arrow DMR Net on BrandMeister talk group 3126
- 7:30pm DMR Trivia Net on TGIF talk group 31268
Sunday:
- 6:30pm UP (Upper Peninsula) Net on BrandMeister talk group 31268
Monday:
- 7:30pm DMR Tech Net on BrandMeister talk group 31266
- 8:30pm Michigan One DMR Net on BrandMeister talk group 3126
Send an email to subscribe@dmrtechnet.net if you want to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter. To see previous newsletters, check out our website: https://dmrtechnet.net/
You can always chat with the DMR Tech Net team on TGIF talk group 31268, the DMR Tech Net channel or Brandmeister talk group 31266, the Michigan Nets channel.
The DMR Tech Net team is assisting Dustin N8RMA with NCS duties on the Michigan One DMR net.
Here’s the upcoming list of upcoming NCS’:
- Sep 30 Rick AD8KN
- Oct 7 Steve KC8WXM
- Oct 14 Dustin N8RMA
- Oct 21 Brad KE8WNV