Recent Posts

Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 10
11
TGIF Welcome aboard / Glad to Welcome k0otp
« Last post by Guest on December 15, 2025, 07:55:03 pm »
Welcome k0otp glad your here  ;D
12
TGIF Welcome aboard / Oh no, it's KC7DRB
« Last post by Guest on December 14, 2025, 07:44:34 pm »
Welcome anyway KC7DRB  ;)
13
New Board / TGIF Net Transcript 2025-12-12
« Last post by VE3RD on December 13, 2025, 06:34:04 am »
TGIF Friday Night Net Full Report
December 12, 2025
Overview
    []
Host: Steve, W2SHR (filling in for Robert Bretzman, K4WZV)
[]Talkgroup: 31665 ("Mothership") on the TGIF DMR Network
[]Date/Time: Friday, December 12, 2025 – 8:30 PM Eastern
[]Topic: Friendships developed through amateur radio
  • Conditions: Very cold evening (temperatures in 20s–30s°F reported across the US)
Large turnout with multiple check-in rounds (short-timers, by suffix groups, late check-ins). The heartfelt topic encouraged strong participation, focusing on how daily DMR chats on TGIF build deep bonds that often lead to in-person friendships.
Key Discussions: Friendships in Amateur Radio
Participants shared personal stories emphasizing emotional support, repeated contacts, and real-world meetups.
Quote
Robert (K4WZV) – Chief Engineer & "Godfather"
"People you talk to on the radio, you always want to know what they look like by the voice that you hear... you try to picture them in your mind, and then when you meet them, it's somebody totally different. But what I will say... when you meet that person, it's almost like you've known them forever."
He added advice for hamfests: Wear call sign hats/badges – people often shout his name across halls.
Quote
Bill (K1WMP) – 91 years old, housebound on hospice
"I am 91 right now... I am housebound. I have been on hospice... since May 1st of this year. I don't know how much longer I'm going to be on, but if it wasn't for radios, I would be a basket case."
Thanked TGIF for helpful Q&A sessions: "In ham radio, there's no dumb questions."
Quote
Miguel (KC1LKO)
Detailed HamCation meetups:

2019/2020: Met Robert (K4WZV) near Icom booth; group including Doc (N4HYK), Dave (KB7BYI); dinner at Golden Corral.
2023: Repeated with Robert, Martha; visited KB7BYI's headquarters.
"If you get the chance to be able to do something like this, do it. It is a wonderful experience to connect the human voice... with the physical presence."

Quote
Roger (WB4T) – Famous for early morning greetings
Morning chats provide mutual support: "You build up friendships... you become sounding board... you give each other a lot and brighten each other up when you're having bad days."
Grateful for the outlet during life changes.
Quote
Chris (KD0TYG)
Morning roundtables kept him awake/company as a truck driver; now brighten days and offer support during tough times.
Quote
Cliff (VE6PLC) – Third-generation ham
Family trips and hamfests (e.g., Waterton-Glacier on Montana-Alberta border) where dad always met on-air contacts.
Quote
Doc (N4HYK)
Long-time club/hamfest experiences in Florida built strong in-person + on-air friendships.
Quote
Terry (WC7V)
Relayed a 90-year-old DXer's view: DMR great for repeated/sustained friendships vs. one-off HF.
Quote
Scott (KM9Q)
Recognized Doc's voice in a store aisle from repeater/DMR talks; Doc's hamfest tables drew long lines ("smaller version of Disney World").
Overall theme: TGIF's daily accessibility fosters deeper bonds than traditional modes, combating isolation.
Tributes & Thanks
During the net, Steve took time to honor those who have passed and those working behind the scenes.
  • Silent Keys:

    Mitch Savage (EA7KDO): Founder of the TGIF network. He started it on a single Raspberry Pi, developed the Nexion screen for TGIF MMDVM hotspots, and spent countless hours helping users with technical questions. Steve noted: "Everybody benefits from Mitch's hard work, and let's face it, his legacy will live on forever, and it's here every day when we're on the TGIF network."
    James Valley (KF6S): Collaborated with Mitch on the original Nexion screen hotspot, setting new standards for DMR. Later developed Pi-Star support for the RADXA board during the Raspberry Pi shortage, once again demonstrating incredible technical skill.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Team:
    Ty Weaver (KG5RKI): The "coding genius" behind TGIF, ensuring smooth operation and high reliability.
    Andy Nielsen (G7LRR): Ty's right-hand man; designed the TGIF dashboard and helps keep the network running.
    Glenn Allison (N3MEL): Created the international TGIF forum page – his foundational work is always remembered.
    Phil (VE3RD): Handles hotspot programming and produces net recordings; makes archived nets available via the forum's Friday Night Net Recording Index.
    Forum Moderators: Mark Drow (CH), Mark Smith, and Joe Grever – keep the community space welcoming and organized.
    Robert Bretzman (K4WZV): Chief engineer and "Godfather" of the network. Steve said: "He takes care of everything... brings us all together 24/7."
Steve emphasized that these individuals make the TGIF community possible and keep it growing.
Marketplace
  • KD6KWV: Lightly used SharkRF openSPOT (M1KE) – $350 shipped
Closing
Steve praised participation on the personal topic. Recordings on TGIF forum (Friday Night Net Recording Index). Closed with 73s and "Thank God It's Friday!"
A heartwarming net celebrating amateur radio's true power: building lasting friendships. 73!
14
TGIF Welcome aboard / Welcome, it's W5RGO
« Last post by Guest on December 12, 2025, 08:15:33 pm »
Hey look! it's W5RGO on the TGIF Forum  ;D
15
TGIF Welcome aboard / Welcome, it's W5TRA
« Last post by Guest on December 08, 2025, 08:29:12 pm »
Hey look! it's W5TRA on the TGIF Forum  ;D
16
TGIF Welcome aboard / Let's Welcome w0mwi
« Last post by Guest on December 04, 2025, 08:08:13 pm »
Welcome w0mwi to the TGIF Forum  ;D
17
TGIF Welcome aboard / Let's Welcome W8VMC
« Last post by Guest on December 01, 2025, 07:54:18 pm »
Welcome W8VMC to the TGIF Forum  ;D
18
TGIF Welcome aboard / Welcome, it's N9WRP
« Last post by Guest on November 29, 2025, 07:49:42 pm »
Hey look! it's N9WRP on the TGIF Forum  ;D
19
TGIF Welcome aboard / Welcome, it's n4azo
« Last post by Guest on November 26, 2025, 08:02:36 pm »
Hey look! it's n4azo on the TGIF Forum  ;D
20
DMR Gateway (beta) / DMRGateway-6 Simplified
« Last post by VE3RD on November 23, 2025, 07:28:04 pm »
Complete & Easy DMRGateway-6 Beginner Guide
(Updated for 2025 – works with 7-digit talkgroups!)


What is DMRGateway-6 and why do you need it?
  • Stops other networks bleeding into the one you are using
  • Stops the hotspot randomly changing talkgroups
  • Fixes the “busy light on but no audio” problem
  • Fully supports 7-digit talkgroups (TGIF Prime, MNET, etc.)
What are 7-digit talkgroups? (Super simple)
Normal talkgroups = up to 6 digits (example: 31665) 
7-digit talkgroups = 1 000 000 to 9 999 999 (used by TGIF and MNET)

Common ones you will see:
[table=width:80%,align:center]
TalkgroupNameNetwork
1000001TGIF Prime World WideTGIF
1000002TGIF Prime EnglishTGIF
1316665TGIF Parrott ChatTGIF
5000000+MNET main groupsMNET

How to Install (First Time)
Open Pi-Star → Expert → SSH Access (or use PuTTY) 
Copy and paste ONE LINE at a time:

sudo su
rpi-rw
sudo git clone https://github.com/ve3zrd/DMRGateway-6
cd DMRGateway-6
make clean
make
make install
./GWConfig.sh 0

(Use 0 unless you run multiple hotspots – then use 1, 2, etc.)

How to Update (if you already have it)
cd /home/pi-star/DMRGateway-6
rpi-rw
sudo su
git pull
make clean
make
make install
./GWConfig.sh 0
    The Menu – What to Choose (99% of people do this)
    When the menu appears:

    [list=1]
    • First time only → choose 1 (creates password file – just follow the questions)
    • Then choose 4 → “Install DMRGateway & Update /etc/dmrgateway - 8 Digit Translation Mode”
    • When it asks “RawNet” → type 0 and press Enter
    • Choose 8 to quit
    Then reboot:
    sudo reboot

    How to Use It on Your Radio (8-Digit Mode)
    Program these in your codeplug:

    [table=width:90%,align:center]
    NetworkPrefixWhat to key for TG 31665What to key for 7-digit TG 1000001
    BrandMeister1111031665111000001
    DMR+1212031665121000001
    TGIF1414031665141000001
    MNET1515031665151000001
    XLX–9007 (turns XLX on)9007

    You only key the long number once – the hotspot remembers which network you picked forever!

    After a Pi-Star Update
    Big Pi-Star updates sometimes overwrite DMRGateway-6. 
    Fix in 30 seconds:
    Code: [Select]
    cd /home/pi-star/DMRGateway-6
    ./GWConfig.sh 0    → pick 4 again → done!

    Sample Network
    The following is a typical rule set for Network 5 in 8 Digit Translation Mode
    TGRewrite0=2,15000001,2,1,999999                // Talk groups 15000001 to 15999999  = 1 to 999999  Max 6 digits
    TGRewrite1=2,1000001,2,1000001,899999     //Allows use of all 7 digit talk groups after Locking (use of any 8 Digit TG)
    PCRewrite0=2,15000001,2,1,999999
    SrcRewrite0=2,1,2,VE3RD,9999999

    Need Help?
    Email the author: ve3zrd@gmail.com

    That’s it! Your hotspot now works perfectly with BrandMeister, TGIF, MNET and all 7-digit talkgroups!
    Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 10
    TGIF Network - Thank God It's Friday!