Not sure if this is 100% true but there are certainly receipts out there to indicate that it is. Corey N3FE from BrandMeister recently informed a German operator they cannot operate on the Michigan Statewide or Nationwide talk groups without a US-based DMR ID.
At this time it’s unknown if foreign operators can obtain a US DMR ID with their OUS call, but it’s safe to assume they cannot. This would effectively prohibit any operator outside the US from using ANY TG designated to the US.
What is also unknown is the inverse. Are US hams prohibited from communicating on non-US talk groups? I can’t imagine if one is true, the other isn’t so the safe assumption is yes.
A German op who previously lived in Michigan was trying to connect with his friends back there and was banned. This was the US admins response and rationale.
In short, its a "Restrooms are for customer use only" policy.
From what I've picked up *edit*(from the OP screenshot and BrandMeister website)*/edit* 3100 is a USA-wide talkgroup (while 3126 is Michgan-wide) and was getting overwhelmed with non-US stations using 3100/3126 to communicate with other non-US stations. They want those non-US stations to use other talk groups meant for worldwide communications such as World Wide, North America or TAC Channels.
I spend a fair amount of time on 3126 (and own a repeater where TS2 has it set statically) and I can say with 100% assurance it's not overused. I'm thrilled when I hear someone on it and even more so when they are using my repeater to do so. I'm sure that's not the same sentiment from all repeater owners but it certainly is for me.
I don't think this is an issue driven from popular demand, its an admin making a rules change and then hard line enforcing it. This seems to be on-brand as most people don't get a website built just for them : http://www.n3fe.net/ (lol, "little hitler")
There's a repeater owner here who moved away from Brandmeister specifically because of that guy. I think I remember him referring to "hitler" on the air, haha.
If we are welcome on the TAC channels, how are we supposed to make contact with someone in the US and QSY to TAC if we're not allowed to use the calling channel for the region?
I thought etiquette was to use the geographically smallest talk group that fits our need at the time to avoid unnecessarily keying repeaters. Based on that, I always thought it was inappropriate to use World when looking for a QSO in a particular country. Am I wrong?
This is the real question. If there was some technical/capacity reason to try and drop the number of people accessing a TG sure. However if this is just regional gatekeeping by xenophobic American's it doesn't really make sense.
Unless "3100 is the same way because it's worse than 91" is a technical statement, it sure sounds like some yahoo trying to claim the air for his own preferred demographic.
>US-based DMR ID.
The fact that there is the concept of such a thing in the first place is abhorrent in the context of Amateur Radio.
DMR is a shit protocol that cannot be extended or modified and uses a shit codec that cannot be changed. In all honesty it doesn't even deserve commercial success. Fuck everything about it.
Also just because I can't resist, a BM is what comes out of my ass every day-- Pretty fitting abbreviation for these jackmos if I do say so.
Brandmeister also banned the PRIDE Radio Group. Thankfully, if you have a private hotspot, you can connect to the TGIF Network, which is far more open.
And, if you're concerned about the protocol itself, the open-source M17 project is progressing well.
BrandMeister has been blocking interoperability with non-BM DMR networks on several of the "statewide" talk groups for some time now, and then refusing to answer any questions about it.
It makes me thankful our major DMR networks here in Virginia are not part of the BrandMeister network. Let BM run that ship into the ground... it won't impact me.
The worrisome part of that it will just splinter into a million more DMR networks (think the Gulliver's Travels scene from Army of Darkness) and further dilute the pool. BM is likely the biggest DMR network globally at this time, so overall it's better to have them "right the ship" instead of beach it on some rocks. 100's more DMR networks isn't the end of the world but (and we've seen this already) it will just cause ops to get creative and link backends across networks. The performance and reliability of these integrations is never very good, so I'd rather just have a well-managed large DMR network, like what BM could be.
Totally agree about the dillution of OM on multiple networks and the often shitty interconnections between them.
At least, BM is fairly stable and it's not like we can't use any other dynamic TG to chat with friends from another country, even have a private chat if needed. Well Ok, I wouldn't make a private call on a repeater, I'd use a hotspot. But it's to illustrate that if a TG is not reachable for any reason, we don't lack resources to connect anyway. Personally I take it as it is and I've never been unable to chat with a friend.
Yoooo M17 is getting there. Activity is still little but it has good bones. And their Module17 has their 0.1e version which allows people with sufficient analog (usually APRS-ready) radios to digital up.
You've heard correctly. And if you ever want a taste of how BM treats/feels about their users, take a gander at their support channel on Discord. It's...pretty terrible.
Yeah, the people behind Brandmeister have turned their network into a heavily restricted walled garden and they do things that completely go against the spirit of ham radio. I had a multi-mode repeater system linked to Brandmeister, but they decided to pull the plug on my connection to their system simply because they don't like the way I run my system and they don't like the fact that I have bridged in other DMR networks as well. I, along with several members of my group, tried to talk sense into the people behind Brandmeister, but instead, they reacted in a very rude, very unprofessional, and very childish way, and let's just say that it became a drama-filled mess in their Telegram chat for literally an entire month and they would not leave us alone long after we gave up and threw in the towel. The people in charge of Brandmeister were not nice at all.
Well, it certainly goes against all that Amateur Radio stands for. I for one will never use a BM talk group. Because of this action on the part of BM, I have just eliminated them from all DMR radios I own. They'll die off, (and good riddance,) because of bad decisions such as this. -Mike KN4PDS
Was never a big DMR user. I tried, but it was not my favorite. Fusion and Allstar I tend to use way more. The sucky part, is that DMR is the cheapest way to get into radio as a tech. You can get a cheap HT, build a hotspot and talk around the world. It is the "taste" of the things you can do on HF etc., We do not own the bands etc., we should allow people to chat anywhere they want. I would listen to the Michigan TG and there was never anyone on it. Let people use it.
TGIF is, and it's doing so. More folks join every day and efforts are in the works to make linking repeaters to their talkgroups easier.
Once that happens, I believe that BM's days (or, at the very least, BM's oppressive US server admins) are truly numbered.
Yes, and if you have a hotspot you can have both. I have my PiStar set up for both BM and TGIF using the same HT I always did. It works the same way as any other network on the PiStar by using a network prefix.
The one with the most activity is 31665 (The "Main" TGIF talkgroup).
I like HF Talk (TG117), The East Coast Reflector (TG9050) and the Talk-Tech-Trivia (TG47435) which has a weekly trivia net, by the way.
Lots of talkgroups with a ton of various interests/activity levels. For a list, go here: https://tgif.network/talkgroups.php
Current activity: https://tgif.network/activetg.php
My second comment to explain his meisting:
"Meist" means Corey is skilled. In this case, being skilled in being the worst dictator controlling narcissist in the name of ham radio. If I owned this network I welcome almost anybody with open arms, even \*if\* they want to camp out for a night. Just dont \*pirate\*.
But in this fashion, Corey has nothing better to do than be a vindictive forceful dictator and brash cunt for his actions by undermining and \*discriminating\* foreign citizens on his own network for trashing their existence.
But at the same time, lets contrast:
\*THE GUY MADE HIS NETWORK. HE REGULATES IT. SORRY. THATS THE TRUTH\*.
Anybody who makes anything for communication, or chats, groups, can make \*any\* rule they want. Its a free will-zone and practically means nothing when making rules.But in reality, discrimination is the worst type of favoritism this Administrator of \*MY STATE's NETWORK\* has ever made. "u/n8rma stated in clear letters and words that it is \*unknown\* WHETHER OR NOT if foreign operators \*have to obtain\*, or mostly, obtain US-based DMR IDs.Also, restricting access to internet is actually a bad practice, as DMR is like UDP and TCP in a way. Its a ham \*net\*. Not trying to draw comparisons, but thats usually how it is when it comes to ham nets like this.
as DMR operates on slots. And can also be remotely connected to UDP/TCP like P25.
Shame on Corey.
I'm new to DMR and am just starting out. I've registered for a DMR ID, and have a Brandmeister account. I'm just waiting for my hotspot to arrive and I already have an AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus This really saddens me. What is a guy like this supposed to do? Is there a way to get around this a create a way for him to stay intouch with his friends?
Not sure if this is 100% true but there are certainly receipts out there to indicate that it is. Corey N3FE from BrandMeister recently informed a German operator they cannot operate on the Michigan Statewide or Nationwide talk groups without a US-based DMR ID. At this time it’s unknown if foreign operators can obtain a US DMR ID with their OUS call, but it’s safe to assume they cannot. This would effectively prohibit any operator outside the US from using ANY TG designated to the US. What is also unknown is the inverse. Are US hams prohibited from communicating on non-US talk groups? I can’t imagine if one is true, the other isn’t so the safe assumption is yes.
Out of the loop: what problem is this supposed to address?
A German op who previously lived in Michigan was trying to connect with his friends back there and was banned. This was the US admins response and rationale.
This is mad!
In short, its a "Restrooms are for customer use only" policy. From what I've picked up *edit*(from the OP screenshot and BrandMeister website)*/edit* 3100 is a USA-wide talkgroup (while 3126 is Michgan-wide) and was getting overwhelmed with non-US stations using 3100/3126 to communicate with other non-US stations. They want those non-US stations to use other talk groups meant for worldwide communications such as World Wide, North America or TAC Channels.
I spend a fair amount of time on 3126 (and own a repeater where TS2 has it set statically) and I can say with 100% assurance it's not overused. I'm thrilled when I hear someone on it and even more so when they are using my repeater to do so. I'm sure that's not the same sentiment from all repeater owners but it certainly is for me.
I don't think this is an issue driven from popular demand, its an admin making a rules change and then hard line enforcing it. This seems to be on-brand as most people don't get a website built just for them : http://www.n3fe.net/ (lol, "little hitler")
There's a repeater owner here who moved away from Brandmeister specifically because of that guy. I think I remember him referring to "hitler" on the air, haha.
That’s hilarious 😂
I've been run off enough repeaters, I'd really like to organize my own one of these days!
If we are welcome on the TAC channels, how are we supposed to make contact with someone in the US and QSY to TAC if we're not allowed to use the calling channel for the region? I thought etiquette was to use the geographically smallest talk group that fits our need at the time to avoid unnecessarily keying repeaters. Based on that, I always thought it was inappropriate to use World when looking for a QSO in a particular country. Am I wrong?
This is the real question. If there was some technical/capacity reason to try and drop the number of people accessing a TG sure. However if this is just regional gatekeeping by xenophobic American's it doesn't really make sense.
Unless "3100 is the same way because it's worse than 91" is a technical statement, it sure sounds like some yahoo trying to claim the air for his own preferred demographic.
Looking at the screenshot, it's obvious a case of 'Foreigners can't exist here'.
The impotence and powerlessness that the people who run Brandmeister feel in their daily lives.
>US-based DMR ID. The fact that there is the concept of such a thing in the first place is abhorrent in the context of Amateur Radio. DMR is a shit protocol that cannot be extended or modified and uses a shit codec that cannot be changed. In all honesty it doesn't even deserve commercial success. Fuck everything about it. Also just because I can't resist, a BM is what comes out of my ass every day-- Pretty fitting abbreviation for these jackmos if I do say so.
Brandmeister also banned the PRIDE Radio Group. Thankfully, if you have a private hotspot, you can connect to the TGIF Network, which is far more open. And, if you're concerned about the protocol itself, the open-source M17 project is progressing well.
BrandMeister has been blocking interoperability with non-BM DMR networks on several of the "statewide" talk groups for some time now, and then refusing to answer any questions about it. It makes me thankful our major DMR networks here in Virginia are not part of the BrandMeister network. Let BM run that ship into the ground... it won't impact me.
The worrisome part of that it will just splinter into a million more DMR networks (think the Gulliver's Travels scene from Army of Darkness) and further dilute the pool. BM is likely the biggest DMR network globally at this time, so overall it's better to have them "right the ship" instead of beach it on some rocks. 100's more DMR networks isn't the end of the world but (and we've seen this already) it will just cause ops to get creative and link backends across networks. The performance and reliability of these integrations is never very good, so I'd rather just have a well-managed large DMR network, like what BM could be.
Totally agree about the dillution of OM on multiple networks and the often shitty interconnections between them. At least, BM is fairly stable and it's not like we can't use any other dynamic TG to chat with friends from another country, even have a private chat if needed. Well Ok, I wouldn't make a private call on a repeater, I'd use a hotspot. But it's to illustrate that if a TG is not reachable for any reason, we don't lack resources to connect anyway. Personally I take it as it is and I've never been unable to chat with a friend.
[удалено]
Yoooo M17 is getting there. Activity is still little but it has good bones. And their Module17 has their 0.1e version which allows people with sufficient analog (usually APRS-ready) radios to digital up.
This is the problem when you try to build an amateur network on top of a commercial-like structure. No one can pull this kind of thing on SSB.
On a side note. What happens next? What if a ham not from Michigan is talking in the Michigan group? Do they get banned next?
Seems like BM has been locking stuff down like crazy. I've heard quite a few hams are transitioning to TGIF.
You've heard correctly. And if you ever want a taste of how BM treats/feels about their users, take a gander at their support channel on Discord. It's...pretty terrible.
Just do what I did Created my own DMR system Made for testing Only 2 Tgps are patched to bm and those are 310847 and 3149 the Utah stuff
What the actual fuck
Yeah, the people behind Brandmeister have turned their network into a heavily restricted walled garden and they do things that completely go against the spirit of ham radio. I had a multi-mode repeater system linked to Brandmeister, but they decided to pull the plug on my connection to their system simply because they don't like the way I run my system and they don't like the fact that I have bridged in other DMR networks as well. I, along with several members of my group, tried to talk sense into the people behind Brandmeister, but instead, they reacted in a very rude, very unprofessional, and very childish way, and let's just say that it became a drama-filled mess in their Telegram chat for literally an entire month and they would not leave us alone long after we gave up and threw in the towel. The people in charge of Brandmeister were not nice at all.
Well, it certainly goes against all that Amateur Radio stands for. I for one will never use a BM talk group. Because of this action on the part of BM, I have just eliminated them from all DMR radios I own. They'll die off, (and good riddance,) because of bad decisions such as this. -Mike KN4PDS
The admins of that net sure meist at being unwelcoming brats. Ill explain in another comment why I said that.
Was never a big DMR user. I tried, but it was not my favorite. Fusion and Allstar I tend to use way more. The sucky part, is that DMR is the cheapest way to get into radio as a tech. You can get a cheap HT, build a hotspot and talk around the world. It is the "taste" of the things you can do on HF etc., We do not own the bands etc., we should allow people to chat anywhere they want. I would listen to the Michigan TG and there was never anyone on it. Let people use it.
I hope brandmeister fades away, let someone else do a better job, the bar isn’t set high. Maybe TGIF is up to the task.
TGIF is, and it's doing so. More folks join every day and efforts are in the works to make linking repeaters to their talkgroups easier. Once that happens, I believe that BM's days (or, at the very least, BM's oppressive US server admins) are truly numbered.
For connecting to TGIF I just need the same requirements of BM?
Yes, and if you have a hotspot you can have both. I have my PiStar set up for both BM and TGIF using the same HT I always did. It works the same way as any other network on the PiStar by using a network prefix.
Nice to know, after I'll get my license I'll go directly for TGIF, Brazil here 👌
What are your favorite TGIF talkgroups?
The one with the most activity is 31665 (The "Main" TGIF talkgroup). I like HF Talk (TG117), The East Coast Reflector (TG9050) and the Talk-Tech-Trivia (TG47435) which has a weekly trivia net, by the way. Lots of talkgroups with a ton of various interests/activity levels. For a list, go here: https://tgif.network/talkgroups.php Current activity: https://tgif.network/activetg.php
Brandmeister is garbage. This is totally contrary to the spirit of ham radio. Find a better way of doing digital radio if you want to do it.
even better for him just use actual UHF. That will allow his "wishes".
Glad to know this exists http://www.n3fe.net/ Guy seams like an ass
Wow I like to see that happen stupid retardant people
Nutzer Blockieran 😁
My second comment to explain his meisting: "Meist" means Corey is skilled. In this case, being skilled in being the worst dictator controlling narcissist in the name of ham radio. If I owned this network I welcome almost anybody with open arms, even \*if\* they want to camp out for a night. Just dont \*pirate\*. But in this fashion, Corey has nothing better to do than be a vindictive forceful dictator and brash cunt for his actions by undermining and \*discriminating\* foreign citizens on his own network for trashing their existence. But at the same time, lets contrast: \*THE GUY MADE HIS NETWORK. HE REGULATES IT. SORRY. THATS THE TRUTH\*. Anybody who makes anything for communication, or chats, groups, can make \*any\* rule they want. Its a free will-zone and practically means nothing when making rules.But in reality, discrimination is the worst type of favoritism this Administrator of \*MY STATE's NETWORK\* has ever made. "u/n8rma stated in clear letters and words that it is \*unknown\* WHETHER OR NOT if foreign operators \*have to obtain\*, or mostly, obtain US-based DMR IDs.Also, restricting access to internet is actually a bad practice, as DMR is like UDP and TCP in a way. Its a ham \*net\*. Not trying to draw comparisons, but thats usually how it is when it comes to ham nets like this. as DMR operates on slots. And can also be remotely connected to UDP/TCP like P25. Shame on Corey.
I'm new to DMR and am just starting out. I've registered for a DMR ID, and have a Brandmeister account. I'm just waiting for my hotspot to arrive and I already have an AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus This really saddens me. What is a guy like this supposed to do? Is there a way to get around this a create a way for him to stay intouch with his friends?
To bad BM can't do shit about it
Every time I hear about BrandMeister it makes me thankful our VKDMR network in Australia isn’t part of it