We’re on Brandmeister talk group 31266, the Michigan Nets channel, for the DMR Tech Net on Monday, August 19th from 7:30pm ET – 8:25pm ET. We end the show early to give you time to QSY to the Michigan One DMR Net that follows us at 8:30pm, but it is on BrandMeister talk group 3126.
Join us Monday night as the DMR Tech Net team discuss accessing multiple DMR networks with either a single hotspot or multiple hotspots. We all have opinions and what works for each of us may not be the best choice for you. We’d love for you to share your thoughts.
Join us as we demystify and have fun with DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) every Monday night! And don’t forget to join us Tuesday night for DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom. Log in details are listed later in this newsletter.
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.
If you want to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, send an email to subscribe@dmrtechnet.net with your instructions and we’ll take care of it. If you want to see previous newsletters, check out our website: https://dmrtechnet.net/
Using a single hotspot versus multiple hotspots to access multiple DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) networks has both advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a breakdown:
Single Hotspot
Pros:
- Cost Efficiency:
- You only need to purchase and maintain one hotspot device, which reduces initial costs and ongoing maintenance expenses.
- Simplified Setup:
- Managing one device simplifies configuration, monitoring, and updates. There’s only one set of settings to manage.
- Portability:
- A single hotspot is easier to carry around, making it more convenient for mobile operations.
- Ease of Use:
- For users who are new to DMR or prefer simplicity, managing one device can be less overwhelming.
Cons:
- Limited Network Access:
- A single hotspot can typically connect to only one DMR network at a time. Switching between networks requires reconfiguring the hotspot, which can be cumbersome.
- Potential Bottlenecks:
- If you’re accessing multiple talk groups or networks through a single hotspot, it can become a bottleneck, leading to delays or reduced quality of communication.
- Downtime Risk:
- If the single hotspot fails or encounters issues, all network access is lost until the problem is resolved.
Multiple Hotspots
Pros:
- Simultaneous Network Access:
- Multiple hotspots allow you to connect to different DMR networks simultaneously, making it easier to monitor and participate in multiple talk groups or networks without switching configurations.
- Redundancy:
- If one hotspot fails, others can continue to provide access to different networks, ensuring uninterrupted communication.
- Dedicated Connections:
- With separate hotspots for each network, you avoid the congestion and potential bottlenecks associated with a single hotspot handling multiple connections.
Cons:
- Increased Cost:
- Purchasing and maintaining multiple hotspots increases initial investment and ongoing costs for upkeep.
- Complex Setup and Management:
- Managing multiple devices can be more complex, requiring more time and attention to ensure each hotspot is configured and functioning properly.
- Portability Issues:
- Carrying multiple hotspots may be less convenient, especially for mobile or portable operations.
- Potential Interference:
- If not properly managed, having multiple hotspots in close proximity can lead to interference, reducing the quality of communication.
Conclusion
The choice between using a single hotspot versus multiple hotspots depends on your specific needs. If you require access to multiple networks simultaneously and can handle the increased complexity and cost, multiple hotspots may be the better option. However, if simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and portability are your priorities, a single hotspot might be more suitable.
What are the best-selling DMR hotspots in 2024?
As of 2024, some of the best-selling DMR hotspots include the SharkRF openSPOT4 Pro and the SkyBridge MAX Dual Band Digital Hotspot.
- SharkRF openSPOT4 Pro: This is a highly portable, battery-powered hotspot known for its extensive cross-mode capabilities, allowing you to use various digital modes like DMR, D-STAR, and others seamlessly. The openSPOT4 Pro is equipped with a multicore CPU and a new Wi-Fi module, offering fast updates and long-lasting battery life. It also features built-in transcoding hardware, which enhances voice quality during cross-mode operation. This device is particularly popular among those who require robust performance on the go (SharkRF).
- SkyBridge MAX Dual Band: This is another top seller, appreciated for its “plug and play” ease of use. It supports multiple digital modes, including DMR, D-STAR, and YSF, with cross-mode functionality. The SkyBridge MAX is built on the Raspberry Pi4B platform, ensuring reliability and smooth operation. It includes a web-based interface for easy configuration and can store multiple profiles, making it a versatile option for users who switch between different networks frequently (BridgeCom Systems) (BridgeCom Systems).
These hotspots are popular due to their reliability, ease of use, and advanced features that cater to both beginners and experienced digital radio users.
DMR is used on the amateur radio VHF and UHF bands, started by DMR-MARC around 2010. The FCC officially approved the use of DMR by amateurs in 2014. In amateur spaces, Coordinated DMR Identification Numbers are assigned and managed by RadioID Inc. Their coordinated database can be uploaded to DMR radios in order to display the name, call sign, and location of other operators. Internet-linked systems such as DV Scotland Phoenix Network, BrandMeister network, TGIF, FreeDMR and several others (including several previously closed clusters which now connect to larger networks to facilitate wide-area accessibility), allow users to communicate with other users around the world via connected repeaters, or DMR “hotspots” often based on the Raspberry Pi single-board computer. There are currently more than 5,500 repeaters and 16,000 “hotspots” linked to the BrandMeister system worldwide. The low-cost and increasing availability of internet-linked systems has led to a rise in DMR use on the amateur radio bands. Some Raspberry Pi-based DMR hotspots, often those running the Pi-Star software, allow users to connect to multiple internet-linked DMR networks at the same time. DMR hotspots are often based on the open source Multimode Digital Voice Modem, or MMDVM, hardware with firmware developed by Jonathan Naylor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_mobile_radio
If you have a comment or a DMR topic idea for the DMR Tech Net, please share it with any of us. Send an email to: steve@dmrtechnet.net, stan@dmrtechnet.net, tom@dmrtechnet.net, dana@dmrtechnet.net, or brad@dmrtechnet.net.
Here are the Michigan DMR nets we know about. Please join in & participate with them.
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, the Michigan Nets channel
- 8:30pm Michigan One DMR Net on BrandMeister talk group 3126
The DMR Tech Net team is branching out with a monthly show called DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom the third Tuesday of each month from 8pm-9pm ET. The next broadcast will be this Tuesday, August 20.
- We’re working to schedule Corey Dean N3FE to go over the BrandMeister USA network, how to get the most out of using it, and best practices.
- We’re also working to reschedule Steve Miller KC1AWV and Ed Wilson N2XDD to discuss the M17 Network Project.
- Stay tuned as we work on finding a time and date convenient for them.
- If you missed previous DMR Tech Net TV broadcasts, you can watch them on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq4TAnA-_yE7kdcuaKzw8rQ - If you have a topic or issue you would like to discuss, let us know.
Join the DMR Tech Net team on Telegram. Just search for “DMR Tech Net.” To download, 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
The DMR Tech Net team is helping Dustin N8RMA with NCS duties on the Michigan One DMR net, heard on BrandMeister talk group 3126 on Monday nights starting at 8:30pm ET. If you would like to help as a Net Control Station operator, send an email to dana@dmrtechnet.net as we need NCS help through the end of 2024.
Here’s the upcoming list of upcoming NCS’:
- Aug 19 Brad KE8WNV
- Aug 26 Rick AD8KN
- Sept 2 (Labor Day) Steve KC8WXM
- Sept 9 Dustin N8RMA
https://www.michiganonedmr.net/
Here is an Excel spreadsheet list of talk groups on BrandMeister, TGIF, FreeDMR, YSF, D-Star Reflectors, D-Star Repeaters, M17, and Michigan talk groups on BM & TGIF that you can download.
DMR Different Networks Talk Groups updated 6-2-2024
If you want to donate to BrandMeister to help them run their DMR network, Corey Dean N3FE shared the following links:
3102 and 3104 donations https://www.nfoservers.com/donate.pl?force_recipient=1&recipient=n3fe%40repeater.net
3103 donations https://www.nfoservers.com/donate.pl?force_recipient=1&recipient=w7xm%40w7xm.com
Robert Bretzman K4WZV of the TGIF network mentioned this if you want to donate to their network:
The servers that run the TGIF Network draw money from a coffer fund. We pay for much of it out of our own pockets, so we very much appreciate any donations. If you wish to donate, you may do so by clicking the donation link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/
If you want to donate to RadioID.net, Glen Bizeau VE9GLN said you can subscribe to his website for additional features: https://radioid.net/account/membership.
You can also purchase RadioID.net merchandise at https://store.radioid.net/.
Garrett Down KD6KPC of Repeaterbook.com shared this if you want to donate to his website:
To run a website like Repeaterbook.com, revenue is needed to keep it active on the web. There are bills to be paid, hosting companies to be paid, SSL certificates to be purchased, and other expenses that go along with the research and development of the data. The costs add up.
Repeaterbook has committed to keeping access to its data completely free. Since we don’t charge for the data or access to the site, we decided to incorporate ads into the site. The ads generate revenue that has been sufficient to pay the bills (most months). With the advent of ad-blocking technology, we began to see ad revenue slip. We get it. Many people don’t want to see ads and our stats indicate that up to 30% of our site visitors are using an ad blocker. Some say the performance on the site has even suffered waiting for ads to load. And come are concerned about Internet tracking through the ads (yes, Google does it).
We think we have found a solution to meet in the middle.
You can now subscribe to Repeaterbook and obtain a membership that will silence the ads on Repeaterbook. This form of obtaining revenue while quieting ads is used on qrz.com.
So now we have two option to fit your preference:
- Enjoy Repeaterbook completely free, while enduring the ads that appear.
- Sign up for a Repeaterbook subscription and silence the ads.
To take advantage of this offer, you must be a registered user in good standing. Look at our Subscription Plans:
https://www.repeaterbook.com/index.php/en-us/ad-free
Finally, join and become a member of your local amateur radio club. They can use your dues to help defray the costs of running the club and repeater. And you’ll be a member of like-minded people who can help you with amateur radio and equipment.
Check out (and share our website) to learn more about Digital Mobile Radio!