Every Monday night, join us on the DMR Tech Net as we try to make Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) easier to understand and fun to use!
Monday night, the DMR Tech Net team will go over and discuss the differences between Dynamic, Static, and Auto-Static talkgroups.
Join us on Brandmeister Talk Group 31266 (Michigan Nets channel) for the DMR Tech Net on Monday, March 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).
Upcoming (tentative) DMR Tech Net topics:
- March 10 Explanation of, & differences between Dynamic, static, and auto-static talkgroups
- March 17 International Contacts via DMR. Best practices for making worldwide QSOs
- Tuesday, March 18 DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom with Garrett Dow going over Repeaterbook.com
- March 24 How to find Active DMR Talkgroups
- March 31 Codeplug Best Practices – Organizing channels, zones, and talkgroups
- April 7 Benoit Sylvestre VE2VB discusses the BrandMeister Canada network
- April 14 Troubleshooting common DMR issues & how to resolve them
- April 21 Steve White N2RWE discusses APRS & how you can set up an APRS digipeater
- Tuesday, April 22 DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom with Steve White N2RWE explaining APRS.to
- April 28 DMR etiquette and best practices
- May 5 Using Software-Based Radios (like DroidStar or BlueDV) to connect to DMR
- May 12 Robert Bretzman K4WZV and Steve Smith KWØZ answer your questions about the TGIF Network & TGIF Products Store
- May 16-18 Dayton Hamvention
- May 19 Dayton Hamvention 2025 recap
- Tuesday, May 20 DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom with Steve Smith KWØZ about the TGIF Network
- May 26 How to learn more about DMR
- June 2 What is HamShack Hotline & Hams Over IP?
- June 9 WB8QJZ explains AllStarLink
- June 16 Antennas for DMR radios
- Tuesday, June 17 DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom with Benoit Sylvestre VE2VB from BrandMeister
- June 23 Using a Bluetooth headset with DMR
- June 30 DMR mobile radios hints and tips
If you have a topic suggestion for a future DMR Tech Net, please let us know! Send the email to Dana@dmrtechnet.net
To read this week’s complete 8-page newsletter, open the attached .pdf or go to our website: https://dmrtechnet.net/
Here’s a clear explanation of Dynamic, Static, and Auto-Static Talkgroups and how they differ:
1. Static Talkgroups
- These are talkgroups that are permanently assigned to a timeslot on a repeater or hotspot.
- They are always active, meaning that whenever someone transmits on that talk group, the repeater/hotspot will automatically pass the traffic through without any user action needed.
- Example: If Talk group 31266 is set as static on Timeslot 1, any activity on TG-31266 will always be heard.
- Dynamic (PTT) Talkgroups
- These are talkgroups that are activated on demand by a user.
- To activate a dynamic talk group, a user simply keys up (presses PTT) on that TG.
- The talk group remains active for a certain timeout period (typically 5-15 minutes) after the last transmission. If no further activity occurs, it drops off.
- Example: If you key up on Talk group 31266, you will hear traffic on TG-31266, but after a few minutes of inactivity, it will disappear from your repeater/hotspot.
- Auto-Static Talkgroups (Specific to Hotspots)
- This is a feature commonly found in Pi-Star-based hotspots.
- When you key up on a talk group, the hotspot locks that TG as if it were static—but only until you manually disconnect it or switch to another TG.
- Unlike a normal dynamic TG that times out, an auto-static TG stays active indefinitely until you change it.
- Example: If you key up on Talk group 31266 using a Pi-Star hotspot, it remains “latched” on until you switch to a different TG.
Key Differences:
| Feature | Static | Dynamic | Auto-Static |
| Activation | Always active | PTT activation | PTT activation |
| Timeout | Never times out | Times out after inactivity | Does not time out (until manually changed) |
| Common Usage | Repeaters & hotspots | Repeaters & hotspots | Hotspots (Pi-Star, OpenSpot) |
| Best for | Regularly used talkgroups | Occasional/temporary talkgroups | Semi-permanent but changeable use |
Setting up a static talk group on your BrandMeister DMR hotspot ensures that the talk group is always active and doesn’t require PTT activation. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Access the BrandMeister SelfCare Portal
- Go to BrandMeister SelfCare and log in with your account.
- If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to register first.
- Once logged in, click on your Callsign (top right corner) and select “SelfCare”.
Step 2: Select Your Hotspot
- Click on “My hotspots” to see a list of your registered devices.
- Choose the hotspot you want to configure by clicking its CCS7 ID (DMR ID).
Step 3: Set Static Talkgroups
- Scroll down to the “Static Talkgroups” section.
- In the “Talkgroups” field, enter the talk group number (such as 31266) you want to set as static.
- Select the correct Timeslot (usually Timeslot 2 for hotspots).
- Click the “Save” or “Apply” button to confirm.
Step 4: Reboot Your Hotspot
- Restart your Pi-Star or OpenSpot device to apply the changes.
- The talk group should now be permanently active on your hotspot.
Optional: Confirm Static Talkgroups
- Go back to your BrandMeister Dashboard and check the “Static Talkgroups” section under your hotspot.
- You should see your selected talkgroups listed.
Important Notes
Static talkgroups do not time out, so you’ll always hear traffic.
Only set a few essential talkgroups to avoid excessive activity on your hotspot.
You can still use PTT to access dynamic talkgroups, but static ones will always remain active.
If you want to remove a static talk group, return to the SelfCare portal and delete it from the list.
Setting up static talkgroups on WPSD follows a different process than the BrandMeister website and we’ll show you both starting with WPSD:
Step 1: Access Your WPSD Admin Dashboard
- Log in to your WPSD interface.
- Navigate to the Admin page.
Step 2: Locate the BrandMeister Manager
- On the Admin page, find the BrandMeister Manager section.
- This section allows you to manage your BrandMeister talkgroup settings directly from WPSD.
Step 3: Add the Static Talkgroup
- In the BrandMeister Manager, look for the option to add static talkgroups.
- Enter the talkgroup number 31266 (Michigan Nets) in the provided field.
- Select the appropriate timeslot for this talkgroup.
- Typically, Timeslot 2 is used for such talkgroups, but verify based on your specific setup.
- Click “Add” or “Apply” to save the changes.
Step 4: Verify the Addition
- After adding, refresh the page and navigate to the Linked Talkgroups section.
- Confirm that Talkgroup 31266 appears in the list of static talkgroups.
Additional Notes:
- Ensure your BrandMeister API key is correctly configured in WPSD to allow seamless management.
- If you encounter issues, consult the WPSD documentation or seek assistance from the WPSD community.
On the BrandMeister DMR network website to manually add a static talk group (such as talk group 31266, the Michigan Nets channel, follow these steps:
Step 1: Log in to the BrandMeister SelfCare Portal
- Go to https://brandmeister.network/
- Click “Login” (top right corner) and enter your credentials.
- If you don’t have an account, register using your DMR ID.
Step 2: Access Your Hotspot or Repeater Settings
- Click on your callsign (top right corner) and select “SelfCare” from the menu.
- Click on “My Devices” to see a list of your registered hotspots and repeaters.
- Locate the hotspot or repeater where you want to add a static talk group.
- Click your DMR ID to open its settings.
Step 3: Add a Static Talk group
- Scroll down to the “Static Talkgroups” section.
- Under the Talkgroups field, enter the talk group number (31266) you want to make static.
- Select the Timeslot (most hotspots use Timeslot 2).
- Click the “Save” or “Apply” button.
Step 4: Reboot Your Hotspot (Optional but Recommended)
- Restart your Pi-Star, OpenSpot, or other hotspot device to apply changes.
- You can also key up on the talk group to test if it is now static.
Step 5: Verify Your Static Talk group
- Go back to your BrandMeister dashboard and check under Static Talkgroups.
- You should see the talk group listed as static.
- Any traffic on that talk group will now always be heard without needing to key up first.
Important Notes:
Static talkgroups do not time out, unlike dynamic (PTT-activated) talkgroups.
You can remove static talkgroups by deleting them from the list in your BrandMeister dashboard.
Only set a few essential talkgroups to prevent excessive activity on your hotspot.
If you can’t join us live for the DMR Tech Net, you can always listen to us via BrandMeister’s mobile Hoseline app or their Hoseline desktop software: (https://hose.brandmeister.network/).
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 this post (after the show ends) 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
If someone else forwarded this newsletter to you, why not get rid of the middle-man and subscribe yourself?!? It’s easy to join the DMR Tech Net email distribution list by sending an email to subscribe@dmrtechnet.net with your name and callsign. If you need to unsubscribe, follow the previous procedure but put “unsubscribe” in the subject line. We’ll miss you!
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:
- Mar 10 Dustin N8RMA (with Al N4ALK as backup)
- Mar 17 Brad KE8WNV
- Mar 24 Rick AD8KN
- Mar 31 6-year anniversary show with Dustin N8RMA
https://www.michiganonedmr.net/
DMR Tech Net TV is a monthly show broadcast on Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month. We’ll be live from 8pmET-9pm ET to explain and demystify DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) along with introducing you to fascinating and interesting amateur radio guests!
To join the DMR Tech Net TV Zoom meeting, click the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84447664395?pwd=djZMbFZaWVRkRDRudkRFeWc2WWV4UT09
Another option is to go to https://zoom.us/, then select “Join” (in the top right-hand corner), and input the following details to connect to the DMR Tech Net TV Zoom meeting:
- Meeting ID: 844 4766 4395
- Passcode: 370040
To join with only your phones’ audio, dial (312) 626-6799 and input the following:
- Meeting ID: 844 4766 4395
- Passcode: 370040
To hear the audio from this net, please click (HERE):
|
||
| Quick recap | ||
| Dana led the DMR Tech Net meeting on Brandmeister Talk Group 31266, focusing on explaining the differences between dynamic, static, and auto static talk groups. The meeting also covered the confusion between the terms “static” and “dynamic” in the context of DMR digital voice signals and the pros and cons of using static talk groups. The discussion concluded with Dana announcing the upcoming Michigan One DMR Net at 8:30 on Brandmeister Talk Group 3126 and the 6th anniversary of the Michigan One DMR Net on March 31st. | ||
| Next steps | ||
| • Lucille to review the Newsletter for instructions on adding static talk groups to her DV Mega hotspot. | ||
| • Stan to share screens demonstrating simplex and duplex hotspots during the Wednesday afternoon Zoom chat. | ||
| • Dana to post information about Stan’s Wednesday afternoon Zoom chat on the DMR Tech Net website. | ||
| • DMR Tech Net team to prepare for next week’s topic on international contacts via DMR. | ||
| • DMR Tech Net team to prepare for the Zoom meeting with Garrett Dow on Repeater Book features. | ||
| • DMR Tech Net team to prepare for upcoming topics in April, including APRS and DMR etiquette. | ||
| • Attendees to tune in to the Michigan One DMR Net at 8:30 PM on Brandmeister talk group 3126. | ||
| • DMR Tech Net team to prepare for the 6-year anniversary show of the Michigan One DMR Net on March 31st. | ||
| Summary | ||
| DMR Talk Group Configuration Explained | ||
| The DMR Tech Net meeting on Brandmeister Talk Group 31266. The meeting focused on explaining the differences between dynamic, static, and auto static talk groups. Tom, N8TJ, explained the concept of static and dynamic talk groups, while Stan discusses auto static talk groups. The meeting also included a discussion on the confusion between the terms “static” and “dynamic” in the context of DMR digital voice signals. The conversation ended with a reminder about the upcoming Michigan DMR Net on Brandmeister Talk Group 3126. | ||
| DMR Talk Group Configurations | ||
| Stan explains the differences between static, dynamic, and auto-static talk groups on DMR. Static talk groups are set up in Brandmeister self-care and remain active at all times. Dynamic talk groups are temporary and drop out after 15 minutes of inactivity. Auto-static talk groups only occur on simplex hotspots and remain active even after the dynamic version drops out. The discussion covers the pros and cons of using static talk groups, with advice to limit their number to avoid blocking transmissions. Participants share their experiences with different hotspot setups and configurations. | ||
| DMR Talk Group Configurations Discussed | ||
| The discussion covers various aspects of DMR talk groups, including static, auto-static, and dynamic types. Stan offers to provide a visual demonstration of hotspot configurations during a weekly Zoom meeting. Dennis shares his experience setting up static talk groups on Brandmeister and TGIF networks. James describes his setup for monitoring multiple talk groups simultaneously across different networks. Rick mentions preferring a simpler approach without static talk groups to avoid confusion. Tom emphasizes that talk group configuration varies depending on the network being used. The net control, Dana, announces upcoming topics for future DMR Tech Net sessions, including international contacts, finding active talk groups, and code plug best practices. | ||
| Michigan One DMR Net Update | ||
| Dana concludes the DMR Tech Net, thanking participants and repeater owners. He announces the upcoming Michigan One DMR Net at 8:30 on Brandmeister Talk Group 3126, with Dustin N8RMA as net control, Allan N4ALK as backup, and Rick AD8KN handling net logging. Dana also mentions the Michigan One DMR Net’s 6th anniversary on March 31st, encouraging listeners to join and potentially set a new record for check-ins. | ||
| AI-generated content may be inaccurate or misleading. Always check for accuracy. | ||