This Monday night the DMR Tech Net welcomes Al Williams WD5GNR to discuss his DMR article, “Digital Mobile Radio Networks from Zero to Hero. DMR with or without a radio.” He’s new to the world of DMR and shared his insights about the ups and downs of getting started. You’ll pick up some hints and tips, and he will have time to answer your questions.
Don’t forget that Tuesday is our next DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom. Our guest for the show will also be Al who will share stories about his articles on Hackaday as well as ham radio. https://hackaday.com/author/wd5gnr1/
Join us on Brandmeister Talk Group 31266 (Michigan Nets channel) for the DMR Tech Net on Monday, February 17th starting at 7:30 PM ET. The net will conclude at 8:25pm to allow time for you to QSY over to BrandMeister talk group 3126 for the Michigan One DMR Net (which begins at 8:30 PM ET).
Every Monday night, join the DMR Tech Net as we try to make Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) easier to understand and fun to use! If you have a topic suggestion for a future DMR Tech Net, please let us know! Send the email to Dana@dmrtechnet.net
- Monday, February 17 Al Williams WD5GNR to discuss his article, “Digital Mobile Radio Networks from Zero to Hero. DMR with or without a radio.” By Al Williams WD5GNR, published January 2025 (v0.1). Original article: http://www.wd5gnr.com/dmr.html Updated version posted on our website : https://dmrtechnet.net/digital-mobile-radio-networks-from-zero-to-hero/
- Tuesday, February 18 DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom with Al Williams WD5GNR to discuss his Hackaday and Ham Radio articles. To join the Zoom meeting, click the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84447664395?pwd=djZMbFZaWVRkRDRudkRFeWc2WWV4UT09
- Monday, February 24 Exploring WPSD’s features, hints, and tips
Al Williams, WD5GNR, takes readers on a comprehensive journey through the world of Digital Mobile Radio (DMR), making it accessible for beginners while providing depth for experienced operators. This book breaks down the complexities of DMR networks, call routing, and talkgroups, helping readers understand how digital radio communication works.
A unique feature of the book is its focus on engaging with DMR networks even without a physical radio, using software-based solutions like network bridges and hotspots. Williams also explores the evolution of digital voice modes and how DMR fits into the broader landscape of amateur radio.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your understanding of DMR systems, Digital Mobile Radio Networks from Zero to Hero provides a clear, practical guide to mastering DMR—on the air or online.
Table of Contents
Step 2: Register with Brandmeister 6
Step 3: Get a Hotspot Password 7
Step 4: Download and Install Software 7
Step 9: Talkgroup Etiquette and Your First QSO 13
Step 10: Managing your Talkgroups 14
Network Gateways and Clusters 20
Leaping to Radio: Codeplugs, Zones 22
Simplex and Direct Operation (and Private, Too) 25
Appendix A: Selected Brandmeister Talkgroups 26
Appendix B: Selected TGIF Talkgroups 30
Appendix C: Selected Peanut Talkgroups 32
Appendix E: The DroidStar Screen 34
http://www.wd5gnr.com/dmr.html
[Al Williams]: Staff Writer
Al was in love with computers and ham radio before the Altair 8800 arrived. In the intervening years he designed hardware and software systems ranging from tiny embedded sensors to mainframe build systems. He’s been an editor or columnist for several magazines including Dr. Dobb’s Journal and has written numerous books on hardware and software topics. He has a strong passion for digital design, especially implementing CPUs on FPGAs. When he isn’t soldering or programming, you might find Al at a local high school teaching kids about engineering or riding his Can Am Spyder in the sweltering summer heat.
- Hackaday Articles
- Twitter: @awce_com
- Personal Site: AWC Electronics
- YouTube wd5gnr
- GitHub: wd5gnr
If you can’t join us live for the DMR Tech Net, you can always listen to us via BrandMeister’s Hoseline desktop software (https://hose.brandmeister.network/) or their mobile Hoseline app. We do record the show so if you miss out and want to listen, or re-listen, to it you can. The audio link is located at the very bottom of the post on our website, along with the AI interpretation of the audio so you can read along.
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.
Join the DMR Tech Net team on Telegram. Just search for “DMR Tech Net.” To download Telegram, go to: https://web.telegram.org and/or https://desktop.telegram.org/
Join the DMR Tech Net team on Discord: To join the DMR Tech Net team, click this link: https://discord.gg/EV82GNuCaS . To download Discord, go to https://discord.com
To subscribe (or unsubscribe) to this newsletter, send an email to subscribe@dmrtechnet.net.
To see previous newsletters, check out our website: https://dmrtechnet.net/
The DMR Tech Net team is assisting Dustin N8RMA with NCS duties on the Michigan One DMR Net, Monday nights at 8:30 PM ET on BrandMeister Talk Group 3126, the statewide Michigan calling channel. Here is the list of the upcoming NCS (Net Control Stations) for the Michigan One DMR Net:
- Feb 17 Brad KE8WNV
- Feb 24 Rick AD8KN (or Dana KCØMYP as backup)
- Mar 3 Steve KC8WXM
- Mar 10 Dustin N8RMA (or Al N4ALK as backup)
https://www.michiganonedmr.net/
FYI: We received the following email from Benoit VE2VB in Canada:
Our (Canada) Tech Net is every two Wednesday’s. The last one was on Feb 5th and the next one will be on Feb 19th.
The Talk Group is 30227 on BrandMeister starting at 19:00 Eastern time and the end is usually around 2030 maximum. You should know this net is in bilingual French & English and we have people from New Brunswick check-in.
Topics covered so far in 2025:
- January 8th Round Table (Learning how DMR works)
- January 22nd Private Call and practicing by groups of two (even with many people, easy to control)
- February 5th SMS TEXT message on DMR BrandMeister and practicing by groups of two (even with many people, easy to control), as well as SMS ID to ID, ID to TALK GROUP
- February 19th We will be focusing on a totally different topic (QSO via ISS and amateur radio satellites)
More subjects to come:
- Weather Satellites
- decoding with SDR USB KEY ($15)
- DSTAR, Radio programming software’s, etc.
Our Tech Net is based on a no-protocol, as I say. You can wear your pajamas, have a drink, relax, and ask your questions any time you like.
Sometimes answers come from participants between themselves. To be more exact, a part of this net is to teach our people how to best use their equipment.
.
73’s (Ben) VE2VB
Benoit Sylvestre VE2VB
BrandMeister Canada Admin
Hams Over IP # 100807
Intercom # 208
Ve2vb@hotmail.com
To hear the audio of this week’s DMR Tech Net show, please click (HERE):
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| Quick recap | ||
| The DMR Tech Net team and Al discussed their experiences and challenges with digital mobile radio (DMR) networks, with Al sharing his article “Digital Mobile Radio Networks from 0 to Hero: DMR With or Without a Radio” to guide others. The meeting also covered the use of Droid Star software, the importance of understanding DMR equipment and setup, and the evolution of radio technology in the ham radio community. The participants also shared their personal experiences and insights about amateur radio, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the hobby. | ||
| Next steps | ||
| • Al Williams (WD5GNR) to continue updating and maintaining the “Digital Mobile Radio Networks from 0 to Hero” document and DMR FAQ wiki, incorporating community feedback and contributions. | ||
| • Dana (KCØMYP) to forward the newsletter containing Al’s article to Willard (W8PAY). | ||
| • Al Williams (WD5GNR) to continue working on and release the WPSD feature that allows users to create a list of common talk groups accessible by number from the radio. | ||
| • DMR Tech Net team to host Al Williams on DMR Tech Net TV to discuss his Hackaday articles. | ||
| • Brad (KE8WNV) and Rick (K8KN) to lead the discussion and answer questions about WPSD on next week’s DMR Tech Net. | ||
| Summary | ||
| DMR Networks and Radio Configurations | ||
| Dana introduced Al Williams (WD5GNR), who discussed his article “Digital Mobile Radio Networks from Zero to Hero: DMR With or Without a Radio.” The article covers various aspects of getting started with DMR, including obtaining a DMR ID, registering with Brandmeister, configuring software, and using hotspots. Dana highlighted Al’s perspective that people should enjoy the hobby in their own way, regardless of whether they’re using traditional radio or internet-based solutions. Al, who has been a ham since 1977, shares that he wrote the article to help others navigate the complex world of DMR, as he found existing documentation scattered and often assuming prior knowledge. | ||
| Navigating Digital Mobile Radio Challenges | ||
| Al discusses his experience getting into digital mobile radio (DMR). He explains that the biggest challenge was understanding what equipment was needed and how to get started without investing in a radio first. He eventually found Droid Star, a software solution, but struggled with the lack of documentation. He persevered and eventually figured out how to use Droid Star, obtain an ID, and set up a system. Motivated by his experience, Al wrote about the process to help others and has started a DMR FAQ on his website to answer common questions. | ||
| Amateur Radio Digital Mobile Radio | ||
| Dana hosts a DMR Tech Net session with guest Al (WD5GNR) to discuss digital mobile radio networks. Dana invites participants to check in with their call signs, names, and locations, and explains the format for asking questions. Several amateur radio operators from various locations check in, including participants from the United States and New Zealand. Dana then begins to call on participants to ask their questions, starting with Dave (N8SBE) from Ann Arbor, but encounters difficulties hearing Dave’s response. | ||
| Droid Star and Disconnect 4000 Explained | ||
| Al discussed the convenience and effectiveness of using Droid Star for network connectivity while on the go. John W8TOY raised a question about the need for ‘Disconnect 4000’ in DMR networks, to which Dana explained that 4000 is used to disconnect from a talk group, particularly in simplex setups where a hotspot is used. Al confirmed Dana’s explanation, stating that using 4000 helps disconnect from a talk group and is especially useful in simplex setups. The group appreciated the clarification provided by Dana and Al. | ||
| Digital Radio Evolution in Ham Radio | ||
| Dana and Al discuss their experiences with DMR and other digital radio technologies. Al mentions writing a document about different versions of Droid Star and invites community input. The conversation then shifts to the broader topic of digital radio acceptance in the ham radio community. Brad from Northern Michigan argues that digital radio is a natural progression in radio technology, comparing it to historical advancements like AM, FM, and sideband. Al agrees, suggesting that ham radio has always been about innovation, and digital modes are simply an extension of this tradition. | ||
| The DMR Tech Net meeting saw participation from amateur radio enthusiasts from different locations. The discussion revolved around various aspects of amateur radio, including different modes of communication, technical issues, and the evolution of radio technology. The participants also discussed the use of different networks like Brandmeister and TGIF, and how these could be configured to operate multiple networks simultaneously. The meeting also explored the possibility of using the DMR Master for network configuration. The participants also shared their personal experiences and insights about amateur radio, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the hobby. The conversation ended with a discussion on the use of the WPSD Dashboard and the potential for connecting with others globally through DMR. | |
| DMR Tech Net Meeting and Transition | |
| Dana closed the DMR Tech Net which closed at 8:26 PM Eastern time. The meeting was a collaborative effort between DMR Tech Net and Brandmeister, with the latter’s network being used for the meeting. Paul provided additional information about the TGIF network, specifically about using talk group 9 to park the network. The conversation ended with a transition to Brandmeister’s talk group 3126, which is the Michigan statewide DMR calling channel. The next meeting, DMR Tech Net TV, was scheduled for the following day at 8 PM Eastern time, with Al Williams as the guest speaker. | |
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