Every Monday night, join us on the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net as we try to make Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) fun to use and easier to understand!
Monday night, May 26th, the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net team will discuss how to learn more about DMR. We’d love to hear your comments on your learning journey, sources, hints, and tips.
The MichiganOne DMR Tech Net is on Brandmeister Talk Group 31266 (Michigan Nets channel) every Monday night, starting with check-ins and comments at 7:30 PM ET, followed by the DMR Tech Net portion after that.
Benoit Sylvestre VE2VB, the main admin of BrandMeister Canada, will be our guest for the Tuesday, June 17 “DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom” broadcast from 8pm-9pm ET. He’ll discuss BrandMeister and answer your questions about the BrandMeister Network.
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 watch the previous 17 DMR Tech Net TV episodes, visit https://www.youtube.com/@DMRtechnetTV
MichiganOne DMR Tech Net upcoming topics:
- May 26 How to learn more about DMR with Rick AD8KN
- June 2 HamShack Hotline & Hams Over IP by Brad KE8WNV
- June 9 Stan WB8QJZ explains AllStarLink (https://www.allstarlink.org/)
- June 16 Using a Bluetooth headset with DMR
- Tuesday, June 17 DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom with Benoit Sylvestre VE2VB from BrandMeister
- June 23 The M1KE radio reviewed by Stan WB8QJZ and Steve KC8WXM
- June 30 DMR mobile radio hints and tips
- Jul 7 DMR apps to use on your cellular phone
- Jul 14 Handheld & mobile Antennas for DMR radios
- Tuesday Jul 15 DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom going over the Open GD-77 firmware
- Jul 21 Using your radio’s side/hot keys
- Jul 28 Simplex vs Duplex Hotspots
- Aug 4 TOT, the Time-Out Timer feature
- Aug 11 Brad KE8WNV goes over the Open GD-77 firmware for your DMR radio
- Aug 18 Tom N8TJ will discuss and go over Q-codes
- Tuesday Aug 19 DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom about Maidenhead Grid Squares
- Aug 25 Using your Digital ID to make a Private Call or create a talkgroup
- Sep 1 How to use the Parrot, Disconnect, and Hotspot Power-Off features
- Sep 8 Front-panel programming on your DMR radio
- Sep 15 Using DMR in disaster response scenarios
- Tuesday Sep 16 DMR Tech Net TV on Zoom
- Sep 22 How to update your Digital Contacts
- Sep 29 Encouraging newcomers and more women to participate in DMR
- Oct 6 Organizing on-air contests and trivia nights to increase engagement
If you have a topic suggestion for a future DMR Tech Net, please let us know! Send an email to [email protected]
To read the whole newsletter, open the attached .pdf or visit our website: https://MichiganOnedmrtech.net/
Contents
📚 How to Learn More About DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) 3
🔹 2. Watch DMR-Focused Videos. 4
🔹 3. Get Involved with a DMR Net 4
🔹 4. Explore the Major DMR Networks. 4
🔹 5. Program Your Radio (Codeplugs) 4
🔹 7. Join Online Communities. 5
🔌 3. Install Programming Software. 6
🌐 4. Use RepeaterBook to Find Local DMR Repeaters. 6
📡 6. Program Your Radio (Codeplug) 7
🖥️ 7. Set Up Your Hotspot (If Using One) 7
🗣️ 8. Key Talkgroups to Try. 7
📚 How to Learn More About DMR (Digital Mobile Radio)
Learning more about Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) can be a fun and rewarding journey, especially for amateur radio operators looking to expand beyond analog. Here’s a guide to get you started and deepen your understanding:
Start by learning what DMR is and how it differs from analog FM and other digital voice modes like Fusion, D-STAR, and NXDN.
Key Concepts to Learn:
- What is DMR?
- Talkgroups (TGs)
- Time slots (TS1 and TS2)
- Color codes (CC)
- Zones and channels
- Codeplugs (the programming file for your radio)
Resources:
- AmateurRadioWiki: DMR
- BridgeCom University DMR Basics
YouTube is full of DMR tutorials for all levels. Start with these channels:
- DMR Tech Net TV
- Ham Radio Crash Course
- K6UDA Radio
- BridgeCom Systems
- Dave Casler (KEØOG)
- Ham Radio 2.0
🔹 3. Get Involved with a DMR Net
Joining weekly nets is a great way to listen, learn, and ask questions.
Some nets to check out (check out the Michigan-based DMR Nets listed further below):
- DMR Tech Net – Weekly discussions about features, gear, and real-world use.
- TGIF Net – Fridays on TGIF Network TG 31665
- Worldwide Nets on BrandMeister TG 91
- North America Net – TG 93
🔹 4. Explore the Major DMR Networks
Learn how different networks operate and how to access them.
- BrandMeister – Most popular and open; many global talkgroups
- TGIF Network – Easy to use, highly customizable, strong community
- DMR+ – Older but still in use, with reflectors
- FreeDMR – A growing open-source alternative
Each network has its own dashboard and talkgroup directory.
🔹 5. Program Your Radio (Codeplugs)
Learn how to build your own codeplug for your radio. This is essential and often confusing at first, so take it step-by-step.
Tips:
- Use CPS (Customer Programming Software) from your radio manufacturer.
- Start simple: one repeater, a few talkgroups.
- Gradually add zones, talkgroups, and hotspots.
Helpful Tools:
- Pi-Star (for hotspots)
- OpenGD77, AnyTone CPS, or CHIRP (some models)
- Codeplug templates from trusted sources (like your local club or DMRsupport.com)
A personal hotspot (like a Pi-Star, SkyBridge, or OpenSpot) connects your radio to DMR networks via the internet.
It’s ideal if:
- You don’t have a nearby repeater
- You want access to talkgroups worldwide
- You want to experiment safely and privately
- Can’t put up an outside antenna (HOA’s and/or apartment complexes)
DMR is supported by an active and helpful ham community. Join groups like:
- Reddit: r/DMR and r/amateurradio
- Facebook groups: Search for “DMR Radio,” “AnyTone Support,” or “DMR for Beginners“
- Groups.io: Many regional or device-specific mailing lists
- DMRsupport.com – (your project, if you plan to expand)
The best way to learn DMR is to use it regularly:
- Monitor talkgroups
- Check into nets
- Try private calls and simplex
- Tinker with your codeplug
- Host your own talkgroup or net
✅ DMR Beginner Checklist
Whether you’re brand new to Digital Mobile Radio or just getting your feet wet, this checklist will help you get started the right way!
✔️ DMR-capable handheld or mobile radio (e.g., AnyTone, TYT, Radioddity)
✔️ Programming cable
✔️ Hotspot (optional but recommended if no local repeater is available – e.g., Pi-Star, OpenSpot, SkyBridge)
✔️ Register for a DMR ID at https://radioid.net/register
➡️ One-time sign-up linked to your callsign
🔌 3. Install Programming Software
✔️ Download and install your radio’s CPS (Customer Programming Software)
✔️ Get the USB driver if required for your programming cable
✔️ Optionally install CHIRP (for analog and some DMR radios)
🌐 4. Use RepeaterBook to Find Local DMR Repeaters
✔️ Visit RepeaterBook.com
✔️ Click on Digital Repeaters > DMR
✔️ Search by state, city, or zip code
✔️ Review details like:
- Output/Input frequencies
- Color Code
- Time Slot assignments
- Linked Network (BrandMeister, TGIF, DMR+)
- Talkgroups available
📝 Add this info into your codeplug:
- Create a new channel for each repeater/talkgroup pair
- Add channels to a zone (e.g., “Local DMR” or “Michigan Repeaters”)
- Be sure to match frequency, color code, and time slot exactly
✔️ BrandMeister – popular and open
✔️ TGIF – highly customizable and friendly community
✔️ DMR+, FreeDMR, YSF, AmComm, ADN, Wires System-X, FreeStar, – other options to explore later
📡 6. Program Your Radio (Codeplug)
✔️ Create a simple codeplug with:
- One zone for your hotspot or repeater
- A few talkgroups (e.g., BrandMeister 31266 Michigan Nets, BM 91 Worldwide, BM 93 North America, BM 31268 Upper Peninsula, TGIF 31268 MichiganOne DMR Tech Net,)
✔️ Set color code and time slot (usually CC 1, TS 1 or 2)
✔️ Add your DMR ID to the settings
🖥️ 7. Set Up Your Hotspot (If Using One)
✔️ Flash and configure your hotspot with Pi-Star
✔️ Add your DMR ID, callsign, and Wi-Fi info
✔️ Choose a DMR network and master server (e.g., BrandMeister 3104, TGIF)
✔️ Match frequency and settings to your radio
- 31266 – Michigan Nets (BrandMeister)
- 31268– Michigan Upper Peninsula (BrandMeister)
- 3126– Michigan statewide (BrandMeister 10-minute QSO limit)
- 91 – Worldwide (BrandMeister)
- 93 – North America (BrandMeister)
- 3100 – USA Nationwide (BrandMeister)
- 31268 – MichiganOne DMR Tech Net (TGIF Network)
- 31665 – TGIF General Net (Fridays)
✔️ Check in to the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net
📆 Mondays @ 7:30 PM ET
📡 BM TG 31266
🎥 Monthly on Zoom (DMR Tech Net TV)
✔️ Follow YouTube channels: Ham Radio Crash Course, BridgeCom, KEØOG, DMR Tech Net TV
✔️ Join online groups: Facebook, Reddit, Groups.io
✔️ Ask questions and experiment!
- Backup, backup, backup your work before making changes
- Keep backups of your codeplug
- Use a printout or phone note with your favorite TG numbers
- Monitor the TG before transmitting (don’t interrupt a QSO)
- Update your hotspot and radio firmware when needed
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 Hose 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 on our website, located at the very bottom of this post (after the show ends). We also have the AI interpretation/transcription of the audio, so you can read along.
You can always chat with the MichiganOne Tech Net team on TGIF talk group 31268, the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net channel or Brandmeister talk group 31266, the Michigan Nets channel.
Join the MichiganOne 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 MichiganOne DMR Tech Net team on Discord: To join the MichiganOne 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 MichiganOne DMR Tech Net email distribution list. Just send an email to: [email protected] 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://michiganonedmrtech.net/
On May 5th, the MichiganOne DMR Net moved to BrandMeister Talk Group 31266, the Michigan Nets Channel and combined with the DMR Tech Net. The new combined net is renamed as the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net. We now start the combined net with a check-in portion for your comments at 7:30pm. After all check-ins, re-checks, and comments are completed, we switch to the DMR Tech Net segment (we estimate 8pm ET). The NCS schedule is:
- May 26 Dana KCØMYP
- Jun 2 Steve KC8WXM
- Jun 9 Allan N4ALK
- Jun 16 Brad KE8WNV
We’re looking for more net control operators to help us with the check-in portion of the combined net. If you are interested and would like to volunteer, notify any member of the DMR Tech Net team and/or send an email to [email protected]. Stay tuned as more changes are coming.
https://www.michiganonedmr.net/
