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TGIF DMR Amateur Radio Net – Friday, February 20, 2026
Talk Group 31665
Net Control: KW0Z Steve, from Jefferson County, Kansas
Co-host/Tag-team: K4WZV Robert
Start Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern

Opening Remarks
CQ, CQ, CQ—this is KW0Z, Steve, calling CQ and welcoming everyone to another fantastic edition of the TGIF DMR Amateur Radio Net, right here on Talk Group 31665! Good evening to all our friends across the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, and wherever your signal reaches tonight. Whether you're kicking back after a long week with a cold one, tweaking that latest hotspot script, or just joining us for the camaraderie, we're thrilled you're here.

My name is Steve, Kilo Whiskey Zero Zulu—KW0Z—coming to you live from the heart of the Midwest in Jefferson County, Kansas. Tonight, I'm honored to serve as your Net Control Station, and I'm tag-teaming once again with the one and only Robert, Kilo Four Whiskey Zulu Victor, K4WZV, our tireless chief engineer and the guy who keeps the TGIF backbone humming 24/7/365.

We gather every Friday night at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on TG 31665 to celebrate what we love most: amateur radio in all its forms—building, experimenting, troubleshooting, ragchewing, emergency preparedness, contesting, and most importantly, the unbreakable bonds of friendship that span modes, bands, and borders. This is a directed net, so please stand by for your call from Net Control. Emergency traffic takes priority—triple break (break break break) gets immediate attention. When checking in, give your call slowly and phonetically: for example, my call is Kilo Whiskey Zero Zulu.

Tonight's agenda includes announcements, events and contests, solar/band conditions, a huge round of check-ins (we're expecting a big crowd!), the TGIF Hamfest & Swap Meet, troubleshooting Q&A, a heartfelt remembrance of a true TGIF legend who's now a silent key, and plenty of open discussion on what makes us hams tick. So settle in, key up when called, and let's make this another memorable Friday. Thank God It's Friday—let's get started!

Announcements

• KD9ITO Kerry announced the Northern Illinois Bottle Cap Balloon Brigade (NIBBB) weekly net: Mondays at 7:00 p.m. Central on TG 64222. Website: NIBBB.org. All welcome to discuss pico/fecal balloon projects and launches.
  
• VE3RD Phil reminded everyone of the new net scheduler on tgif.network (under profile → Net Scheduler) and the Nextion screen hotspot update (use "Get Copy" for EA7KDO update; date appears after fetch/flash). New version as of Feb 19, 2026.
  
• Events & contests: DXLook.com composite views, ARRL Year of the Club, America 250 Partnership, ARRL Sweepstakes Icom DreamStation winner (Orlando Hamcation), Flying Pigs QRP Walk for the Bacon (Feb 19–20), ARRL International DX CW (Feb 21–22).
• Solar/Band conditions: M2.4 flare, G2 storm, variable/unsettled ahead.

Check-Ins
Massive turnout approaching 100 check-ins. Short-time and regular rounds by digit groups (0-3, 4-6, 7-9, all-call), plus late check-ins. Notable mentions: WB3GTM, W2SHR, N0XLR, KC3NRS, K4WZV, KF5WFA, KB5TZK, KC8USA, W9UHF, N9XR, KB9LIQ, N2MRH, NP4M, K6KWV, N9RUT, W1GSK (caboose). Silent keys remembered: KF6S James Valley, EA7KDO Mitch.

TGIF Hamfest & Swap Meet

• K4WZV Robert: Selling 2× EF Johnson 5100 ES P25 handhelds (likely with batteries/chargers). Email via QRZ for details.
  
• Open for buys/sells/trades and stories (e.g., Orlando Hamcation experiences).

Troubleshooting Discussion

• KE2KL Angel: Radioddity GD-88 bricked post-vacation. Codeplugs load but contacts vanish ("No Contact" error on key-up); works on GD-77 but not GD-88. Tried DFU, wipes, multiple software versions.
  
• Suggestions from K4WZV Robert: Check Pi-Star calibration graph for RF detection; possible firmware corruption or internal battery issue. Contact Radioddity support. Deferred to Q&A; KE2KL to test calibration.
  
• KC8USA Fred: Asked about Pi-Star dashboard indications; clarified hotspot keys but no traffic.
  

Main Topic
KW0Z Steve prompted discussion: What makes you an amateur radio operator? Builder, troubleshooter, elmer, emergency planner, leader? Outlier in ~0.25% of US population (~3 million worldwide). Light responses; transitioned to remembrance.

Remembrance – Silent Key
KW0Z Steve honored KB5RIR James Dusik ("Texas Trucking Tornado, running in reverse"), SK Feb 17, 2026. Trucker, Harley rider, mechanic/inventor. Epic mobile setup with cross-mode bridges, APRS beaconing, Pi-Star scripts. Generous sharer of knowledge. One minute of silence observed. Harley Softail sound effect noted.

• KC8USA Fred commented on the unusual noise heard (Harley into sunset).
  

Questions & Answers

• KB5TZK: SharkRF OpenSpot 3 login loop (stuck at Wi-Fi entry).
  
  • K4WZV Robert: Try simple SSID/password (no special chars), ensure broadcast SSID.
• WC7V Terry: Nextion update clarification (repo tag/date now fixed via VE3RD Phil's script update; last CURT function improved).
  
• KE2KL Angel follow-up pending (calibration test).
  
• VE3RD Phil: Confirmed script update; date now shows.
  

Expanded Closing Remarks
Stations, what an incredible night—nearly 100 check-ins, excellent troubleshooting exchanges, heartfelt memories shared, and the classic TGIF spirit that keeps us coming back every Friday. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to every single station who joined us tonight. You are the soul of this net—your voices, your knowledge, your willingness to help one another turn TG 31665 into a true global family.

A special 73 and tip of the cap to the backbone of TGIF:

• EA7KDO Mitch Savage (SK) – founder who started it all with one Raspberry Pi
  
• KG5RKI Ty Weaver – coding hero
  
• G7LRR Andy Nielsen – dashboard master (nets scheduler, last heard, maps)
  
• N3MEL Glenn Allison – forum founder
  
• Forum team: AD2CH Mark, KE5CDK Doug, WB3IHY Joe
  
• KF6S James Valley (SK) – Nextion/Pi-Star collaborator
  
• VE3JAR Vic – documentation wizard
  
• VE3RD Phil – hotspot programmer and net recorder
  
• Fellow net controls: W2SHR Steve Roth, KC8UKV Eric Young-Beaders
  
• Chief engineer: K4WZV Robert Gressman – the man who never sleeps so we can talk anytime
  

To every station who checked in, shared a tip, asked a question, or listened along—thank you for making February 20, 2026, one for the logbooks. We honored a true legend tonight in KB5RIR James—ride on, brother.

This is KW0Z Steve, clear in Jefferson County, Kansas, after another outstanding TGIF DMR Amateur Radio Net. The podium is now closed, and Talk Group 31665 returns to open amateur radio use worldwide. Join us next Friday when K4WZV Robert takes the helm—same time, same talk group, 8:30 p.m. Eastern. Until then, stay safe, keep experimenting, keep the friendships strong, and remember: in amateur radio, every contact is a QSL to the soul.

73 to all, good night, and as always... Thank God It's Friday!

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TGIF Radio Net - Transcription 2026-01-30
Friday, January 30, 2026 • 8:30 PM Eastern • Talk Group 31665 (The Mothership)
Net Control & Opening
Net control for the evening was Steve, W2SHR from Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina (Outer Banks). He filled in on short notice for regular host Robert Bresman, K4WZ (TGIF network founder/maintainer), who was sidelined with a sore shoulder. Steve noted the impending nor'easter storm with gale warnings and potential heavy snow along the coast.
The net is held every Friday at 8:30 PM Eastern on TGIF DMR Talk Group 31665. Topic chosen on very short notice: Winter Field Day vs. Summer Field Day – Boon or Bust?
Check-ins Summary
Extensive check-in rounds were conducted with many corrections. Below is the complete compiled list of unique stations (grouped approximately by call district):

[]

Net Control
[]W2SHR – Steve (Kill Devil Hills, NC)
[]0s, 1s, 2s, 3s
[]K0NUT – Eric
[]WB3GTM – Mike
[]N4HYK – Doc / Nancy
[]N1XQX – Dennis
[]KB3JQQ – Scott (15°F reported)
[]AD2CH – Mark (82CH)
[]VE3JAR – Victor / Vic
[]KV2FMD – Paul (Hamburg, NY)
[]VE1JWM – James
[]KV3SVT – Chris
[]N1SCS
[]N4ZWR – Simon
[]N4PRF – Paul
[]4s, 5s, 6s
[]K4WSX – Mario
[]KB4QCE – Danny / Paul (corrected from KB4QBE)
[]W4JLP – Jim (or K4JLP)
[]K4OXR – Art (or K4OUX)
[]W4SFX – John
[]KC8USA – Frederick (Houghton Lake, MI)
[]NP4M – Noel / Fred
[]NG5N – Jerry (or NG5M)
[]KD6KWV – Bobby (San Francisco Bay Area)
[]KR4DSA – Art
[]KF5KHS – Mike
[]KD4VJA
[]N6PPP – Chris (Maryland)
[]AE4TC – James
[]VE6PLC – Cliff
[]7s, 8s, 9s
[]WE8M – Dave
[]WB8KLB – Rodney (or WB8KOB)
[]KE8PCQ – Dave
[]KE8APO – David
[]KV8KES – Keeley
[]WD9HGO – Paul
[]NS8G – Jeffrey (or NSHE)
[]KC9MEC
[]KV9Q – Mike
[]KF9TA – Tom
[]K8WF – Bill
[]N9XR – Jerry
[]KB7ZZ – Dave (Roanoke Island, NC – Steve’s Elmer)
[]N8DAD – Barry
[]N9PMR – Richard
[]Other / Various Districts
[]N6CZE – Gary
[]KB9LEV – Jack
[]WA3ZHR – Terry
[]WB3GCK – Craig
[]WB3IHY – Joe (Philly)
[]KC1LKO – Miguel
[]K9FEH – Chester
[]K6KRI – Christina (corrected from K8KRI)
[]KE4TLC – Paul
[]K1DYI – David (or KB7BYI)
[]KA7DLB – Sharon
[]WM3Q – Samuel
[]NY2S – Tom
[]KY4GD – Marion (or K4YGD)
[]K7PEM – Paul
[]N8MME – David
[]N0OKE – Christopher

• KC1MNJ – Martha

Marketplace
Only one item offered:

[]

KB7ZZ – Dave (Roanoke Island, NC)

[]FT-897D (with voice module & TXO)
[]FT-817
[]MFJ Versatuner antenna tuner
[]DX-20 (perfect condition)
[]Knight Kit Ocean Hopper Regen (partially rebuilt, with coils)

[/list]
Main Topic Discussion: Winter Field Day vs. Summer Field Day

[]Held the previous weekend (January 24–25, 2026).
[]Steve (W2SHR) participated from home due to gale warnings; low nationwide participation (~1,000 stations); praised World Radio League’s new easy logging software.
[]General consensus: Summer Field Day more enjoyable (better weather, group ops). Winter Field Day valuable for testing emergency/portable setups in harsh conditions (heated tents, even pizza-making reported).
[]Viewed as a boon for skill-building, POTA-style portable ops, and preparedness.
[]Not seen as direct competition with ARRL Field Day, but complementary.
[]Steve credited Winter Field Day with sparking his HF interest (from DMR → General → Extra).
[]KB7ZZ (Dave): Long-time Summer FD participant; enjoys group, remote, or competitive styles.
[]KV9Q (Mike): Too cold for outdoor; participated from home; knows locals with heated tents.

Other Topics

[]Brief mention of

PocLink radios (PoC push-to-talk devices on Amazon ~$199/pair; excellent audio quality). Discussion tabled for next week as more people are ordering them.
[]Steve shared a fun non-ham note: Attended Carolina Hurricanes game on “Hartford Whalers Night” and saw three goals in two minutes to win.
[/list]
Closing & Acknowledgments
Thanks to key TGIF contributors:

[]Ty Weaver, KG5RKI – coding for PGIF
[]Andy Nielsen, G7LRR – dashboard & scanning features
[]Glenn Allison, N3MEL – international forum
[]Management team: Mark Rounds AD2CH, Doug Smith KE5CBK, Joe Garber WB3IHY
[]Canadian helpers: Vic Lowen VE3JAR (documentation), Phil Thompson

VE3RD (hotspot program, net recordings & archiving)
[]Robert Bresman K4WZ – network founder & chief engineer
[/list]
Net recordings available on the TGIF website. Steve signed off wishing everyone well amid the approaching storm.
73 and see you next Friday on TGIF 31665!