This Monday night will be a celebration of the third anniversary of the DMR Tech Net. Our very first DMR Tech Net was on Monday, February 14, 2022. We hope you’ll share your memories, thoughts, comments, highlights, lowlights, and recollections of the DMR Tech Net!
Join us on Brandmeister Talk Group 31266 (Michigan Nets channel) for the DMR Tech Net on Monday, February 10th 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 10 DMR Tech Net anniversary show. The very first DMR Tech Net was on Monday, February 14, 2022
- 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: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RTLGhqeAw95h2-Z1nfvnyLJ59LuZfxEp/view 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
- Monday, February 24 Exploring WPSD’s features, hints, and tips
To read this week’s newsletter in depth, click the attached .pdf or click this: https://dmrtechnet.net/join-us-monday-february-10-for-the-dmr-tech-net-third-anniversary/
Celebrating Three Years of the DMR Tech Net!
This Monday, February 10, 2025, the DMR Tech Net will proudly celebrate its three-year anniversary! It’s been an incredible journey since our very first net on February 14, 2022, when Tom N8TJ and Dana KCØMYP launched the DMR Tech Net to explore the many features, advantages, and benefits of Digital Mobile Radio (DMR). Our goal has always been to demystify DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) and make it easier to use.
Reflecting on Our First Net
Our very first DMR Tech Net began at 8:00 PM ET on BrandMeister 3126 talk group (the Michigan statewide calling channel) and lasted just 20 minutes, ensuring we ended up before the Michigan One DMR Net started at 8:30 PM ET. While we didn’t document the specific topic that night, we recall it was mostly an introduction to what we hoped to accomplish with the net—creating a space where hams could learn, experiment, and master DMR together.
Our very first check-ins were:
- Tom N8TJ (co-Net Control Station)
- Dana KCØMYP (co-Net Control Station)
- Stan WB8QJZ
- Sevim WB8BHN
- Greg W8VIJ
From that small but enthusiastic start, the DMR Tech Net has grown into a weekly staple for DMR users, providing education, troubleshooting, and discussions on the latest in digital voice technology. Last year on July 1st, we moved the DMR Tech Net from BrandMeister 3126 talk group to the brand new 31266 talk group, the Michigan Nets channel.
Since its inception, the net has evolved from those initial 15-25-minute sessions (carefully scheduled to end before the Michigan One DMR net) into a comprehensive resource for DMR operators of all experience levels. The net has covered everything from basic radio programming to advanced network features, helping countless operators better understand and utilize their DMR equipment.
The success of the DMR Tech Net reflects the growing popularity of digital modes in amateur radio and the community’s desire for technical education and support. What began as an experiment has become an essential part of many operators’ weekly routines on BrandMeister talk group 31266, the Michigan Nets channel.
A Growing Team and Community
Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to expand our team with incredible hams who bring diverse knowledge and experiences:
- Stan WB8QJZ joined early on, sharing his vast expertise.
- Steve KC8WXM, Brian KE8NJT, and Brad KE8WNV brought fresh perspectives as newer DMR users.
- Most recently, we welcomed Rick AD8KN (formerly WA3TUU), a long-time ham with deep technical knowledge.
Together, our team and audience have made the DMR Tech Net a premier resource for demystifying DMR and helping both new and experienced digital voice users get started and the most bang out of their digital voice radios.
Join Us for Our Anniversary Net!
This Monday’s DMR Tech Net will be a special anniversary edition, and we hope everyone can join us to celebrate! We’ll look back on our journey, share our favorite moments, and of course, continue exploring the ever-evolving world of DMR.
Join with us on Monday night at BrandMeister Talk Group 31266 (Michigan Nets Channel) at 7:30 PM ET and be part of the celebration!
Thank you to everyone who has checked in, asked questions, shared knowledge, and supported the DMR Tech Net over the past three years.
We wouldn’t be here without you!
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.
Here’s the original logbook entry of the very first DMR Tech Net:
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 group, 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 10 Dustin N8RMA (Allan N4ALK is backup)
- Feb 17 Brad KE8WNV
- Feb 24 Rick AD8KN
- Mar 3 Steve KC8WXM
https://www.michiganonedmr.net/
To hear the audio from this DMR Tech Net, please click (HERE):
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| Quick recap | ||
| The DMR Tech Net celebrated its 3-year anniversary, with Dana and Tom reflecting on the group’s growth and evolution. Members shared their experiences and memories of the DMR Tech Net, expressing gratitude for the knowledge and support it has provided. The meeting also highlighted the importance of learning and understanding the inner workings of DMR technology, with discussions on equipment, hotspots, and potential improvements. | ||
| Next steps | ||
| • Al (WD5GNR) to be a guest on next week’s DMR Tech Net to discuss his article “Digital Mobile Radio Networks: From Zero to Hero”. | ||
| • Al (WD5GNR) to join the February edition of DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom to explain and answer questions about getting started with DMR. | ||
| • Dana (KC0MYP) to include Al’s article in next week’s newsletter. | ||
| • Rick (AD8KN) and Dana (KC0MYP) to design a coin or key chain fob for the DMR Tech Net. | ||
| • DMR Tech Net team to continue hosting the weekly net on Mondays at 7:30 PM Eastern time on Brandmeister talk group 31266. | ||
| Summary | ||
| DMR Tech Net’s Evolution and Memories | ||
| Dana, one of the hosts of the DMR Tech Net, welcomed participants to the broadcast on Brand Meister Target 31266, the Michigan Nets Channel. The DMR Tech Net is a directed net focused on explaining and using digital mobile radio. The DMR Tech Net is the first of two back-to-back Monday night nets, with the second being the Michigan One DMR Net at 8:30 PM. Dana and Tom, the co-founders of the DMR Tech Net, shared their memories and thoughts about the DMR Tech Net, which started on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2022. The meeting also included a discussion about the evolution of the DMR Tech Net’s time length and the addition of more topics. | ||
| DMR Tech Net Progress and Versatility | ||
| Tom discussed the progress of the DMR Tech Net over the past three years. He emphasized the importance of ensuring equipment is working properly, a lesson he learned early on. He also highlighted the versatility of DMR, which can be used alongside other modes for effective communication. Dana acknowledged Tom’s contribution to the net, particularly his focus on audio quality. The meeting also included a check-in with Stan, a member of the DMR Tech Net team and a winter Floridian, who shared his thoughts on the net and the weather in Florida. | ||
| DMR Tech Net Progress and Anniversary | ||
| Stan shared his experience of joining the DMR Tech Net in 2021, initially struggling to communicate effectively due to technical issues. He highlighted the progress made since then, with the group now being more reliable and knowledgeable. Dana also mentioned an upcoming event featuring Al Williams, who will discuss his article on digital mobile radio networks. He encouraged attendees to share their thoughts and memories about the DMR Tech Net, marking their 3-year anniversary. | ||
| DMR Tech Net’s 3rd Anniversary Celebration | ||
| Dana led a discussion on the DMR Tech Net, highlighting the contributions of various members. Norm from New York expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share his knowledge and experiences, particularly regarding DMR networks. John from Michigan shared his journey with DMR, mentioning his initial departure due to W8CMC’s shutdown and his subsequent return after acquiring a hotspot. Both Norm and John expressed their appreciation for the DMR Tech Net’s role in rekindling their enthusiasm for digital voice technology. The meeting also marked the 3rd anniversary of the DMR Tech Net. | ||
| DMR Tech Net’s 3-Year Anniversary Celebration | ||
| Dana hosted the DMR Tech Net’s 3-year anniversary show, welcoming participants from around the world, including Paul from New Zealand and Dave from Ann Arbor. Paul shares his appreciation for the network and the information it provides about North American experiences. Dave reminisces about his early days with DMR and expresses gratitude for the weekly opportunity to ensure his equipment is working properly. Dana emphasizes the net’s goal of demystifying technology and making DMR easier to use. | ||
| Dana’s Appreciation and Upcoming DMR Tech Net | ||
| In the meeting, Dana expressed his appreciation for the DMR Tech Net team and the valuable information shared during the net. Dennis W3DEN mentioned that he had only been a part of DMR for about six months and had found the topics discussed to be informative. Dana then introduced the guest for the next week’s meeting, Al, WD5GNR from Texas. The team also discussed the upcoming Dmr Tech Net TV and the wealth of knowledge available within the team. Dana ended the conversation by thanking everyone for their contributions and comments. | ||
| Exploring GMR and Radio Technology | ||
| Dana discussed the benefits of Gmr, emphasizing its ease of use and the potential for digital voice communication. He also highlighted the importance of learning and understanding the inner workings of a radio and hotspot, suggesting that this knowledge can lead to greater customization and comfort with the technology. Stan, another participant, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of learning through doing and the value of backing up data to avoid mistakes. Both Dana and Stan encouraged the group to explore and learn more about digital voice technology, emphasizing the satisfaction that comes from mastering it. | ||
| DMR Tech Net Community Appreciation | ||
| Dana introduces Ron from Niagara Falls, who shares his positive experience with the DMR Tech Net. Ron expresses gratitude for the informative and encouraging nature of the group, mentioning how it has helped him learn about DMR technology. Steve from Florida then checked in, expressing excitement about discovering the DMR Tech Net as a newcomer to DMR technology. He describes the community as a valuable resource for learning and looks forward to getting more involved. | ||
| DMR Tech Net 3-Year Anniversary Show | ||
| Dana welcomed everyone to the DMR Tech Net’s 3-year anniversary show, encouraging attendees to check-in or re-check-in, and share their thoughts, memories, and experiences. The meeting also included check-ins from various members, including Brad KE8WNV from Ferndale, Michigan, and Kurt KCØCQN from Villa Ridge, Missouri. Brad shared his memory of the DMR Tech Net, mentioning his transition from answering questions to becoming a net control operator. He also offered his assistance to anyone with questions. Dana then handed the floor to Al N4ALK, who had checked in the most times on the Michigan One DMR Net and would be the net control for the Michigan One DMR Net beginning at 8:30 PM Eastern time. Al was down in Florida at the time. | ||
| DMR Tech Net Anniversary and Future Plans | ||
| Rick celebrated the 3-year anniversary of the DMR Tech Net, emphasizing that participation is not limited to those from Michigan. Rick, also known as AD8KN, was mentioned as a key contributor to the team. Dana and Rick discussed the challenges with hotspots and the potential for improving their performance with better memory cards. They also mentioned a future project involving a 3D printer to design a keychain fob for the DMR Tech Net. The conversation ended with Rick expressing his thoughts on the progress of the DMR Tech Net. | ||
| DMR Tech Net 3-Year Anniversary Show | ||
| In the 3-year anniversary show of the DMR Tech Net, Kurt KFØCQN expressed his appreciation for the group’s diverse discussions and his introduction to the group through Bridgecom. Dana thanked Kurt for his participation and highlighted the group’s role in making the DMR Tech Net successful. The show also featured a check-in from Benoit from Quebec, Canada, who shared his experience with the group’s bilingual net on Brand Meister. The show concluded with a transition to the Michigan One DMR Net, with Allen N4ALK as the net control. The DMR Tech Net team expressed their gratitude to all participants. | ||