This Monday night will be a discussion of the different DMR Talk Groups available for you to use. Your question on Monday will be letting the DMR Tech Net team know the talk groups you monitor.
Join us on Brandmeister Talk Group 31266 (Michigan Nets channel) for the DMR Tech Net on Monday, February 3rd starting at 7:30 PM ET. The net will conclude at 8:25pm to allow time 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
The DMR Tech Net website has an Excel spreadsheet with a list of talk groups on different DMR networks and modes, including BrandMeister, TGIF, FreeDMR, YSF, D-Star Reflectors, D-Star Repeaters, M17, and Michigan talk groups on BM & TGIF. https://dmrtechnet.net/home-2/talk-groups/
BrandMeister Talk Groups: Dynamic vs Static
Overview of the Dynamic and Static Features on BrandMeister Servers.
- Timers – USA Master Servers
Hold Off – 5 Minutes
Dynamic – 15 Minutes
- What is a talk group?
A DMR Talk group is a means to digitally organize a group of radio traffic by assigning a virtual channel known as a talk group ID. Talk groups can be organized into regional such as cities, counties, states, countries, etc. and also by topics or special interest groups such as radio clubs.
For example, Talk Group ID 91 is the worldwide talk group and encourages users from around the world to meet up and communicate with each other.
- Static
A static talk group is set by either the repeater owner/trustee or hotspot user on a particular timeslot and is set to permanently allow traffic to be sent. This means all traffic will pass through the repeater/hotspot to the end user radio when there is active traffic or communications.
For example, if a repeater owner sets the talk Group to 3100 USA Local on timeslot 1 on their repeater to static it will send traffic to all to hear on that repeater.
- Dynamic (Repeaters & Duplex Hotspots)
A dynamic talk group, or sometimes referred to PTT of a talk group, is a temporary activation of a particular talk group by the end user either being through a repeater or hotspot device.
On BrandMeister this dynamic talk group will stay active for a period of 15 minutes on USA Master server (sometimes referred to on-demand timers), this will depend on the master server if not in the USA and will deactivate or timeout if no local traffic (no local user keying up the repeater) is heard during this time.
Please be mindful when using a DMR Repeater to activate a dynamic talk group to do it on the correct timeslot. Generally, timeslot 1 is used for this purpose. Please consult the repeater owner or group on their preferred timeslot for dynamic talk group activations.
- Auto-static (Simplex Hotspots only)
A auto-static is for hotspots only and sets the hotspot to stay on the current active talk group which was activated by keying up the radio through the hotspot by the user. This means this talk group will stay active until the user on the hotspot keys up another talk group and of which will set the new talkgroup as the new auto-static.
https://help.brandmeister.us/talk-groups/dynamic-vs-static
Create a Talk Group
Talk groups are used to allow for users to communicate in a virtual like room. Talk groups generally are a 4-to-7-digit ID which are programmed in radios as Group Call.
- Overview
Talk groups on BrandMeister follow the MCC – Mobile Country Code. For example, USA Talk Groups begin with a 3. Talk groups which start with a 9 are assigned as Global Talk groups. More info about MCC can be found at | Wiki | ITU
Talk groups typically are labeled as topics or activities (such as POTA, YOTA, etc.), regional (such as state, city, worldwide, etc.), or user’s groups (such as clubs, or users of a product or open-source project). Manufacture/Vendor specific are not allowed and will not be created.
- 5-Digit Talk groups
As of May 2020, 5-Digit Talk groups are no longer being labeled/issued in the USA due to the limited number of talk groups available. See options below which are available to use.
- Use Your 7-Digit Radio ID
Users may use their RadioID.net issued radio ID as a talk group. Please only use your registered ID and don’t pick one that you think is empty. (If your group has a club call you may also register for a 7-digit ID and use that as a talk group).
- Steps to begin using your ID as a Talk Group:
- Program your radio by adding the 7-Digit Radio ID as a Group Call using the CPS Program.
- Label it as you see fit in the CPS as this will show on your radio Display.
- Provide the 7-Digit to others to program into their respective radios.
- Finally key up and test it out.
- Use Your Repeater 6-Digit Radio ID
Repeater Owners may use their 6-Digit Radio ID which is used for the repeater ID as a talk group. Please only use your registered 6-digit Repeater ID and don’t pick one that you think is empty. You are able to use the 6-digit ID for both the ID for the repeater and as a talk group.
- Steps to begin using your ID as a Talk Group:
- Program your radio by adding the 6-Digit Radio ID as a Group Call using the CPS Program.
- Label it as you see fit in the CPS as this will show on your radio Display.
- Provide or post the 6-Digit to others to program into their respective radios.
- Finally key up and test it out.
https://help.brandmeister.us/talk-groups/create-talk-group
TGIF Talk Group FAQ’s
- What do I do to get a talk group on TGIF?
First make sure you are Logged into your account, then go to your Callsign which will show up on the top menu bar, there in the drop down list is link to the Talkgroup Request Form. just fill it in and submit.
Please note, only request a Talk Group that is 5 numbers long only (Example “12345” ) unless you are going to use your own 6 digit repeater ID or 7 digit DMR ID.
- Does TGIF have static talk groups?
Not at this time but could be implemented in the future.
- Is there a limit to how long I can talk on a talk group?
Unless the admin of a specific talk group has a rule for this no. Talk as long as you like.
Just be considerate to your fellow hams and pause 3-5 seconds between TX to allow other stations to break in and switch talk groups.
- What is the proper way to break in when a conversation is going on a talk group?
Say your call in between TX. You usually will be acknowledged and then you can join the conversation or make your call. Please try and only transmit your callsign and wait to let the next station talk and pass it to you next, this is common courtesy.
