Latest revision as of 23:32, 11 November 2024

United Kingdom
MCC Prefix	234, 235
Coordinators	M0UPM,
Website	https://brandmeister.network/

Welcome to the United Kingdom Wiki

This page is updated when there is a change of configuration effected on the server. It is here where most up-to-date information may be found.

New Talkgroups to be used in association with TG91 WorldWide

Three new TAC talkgroups have been added to the BrandMeister talkgroups list: See the table of Worldwide Talkgroups at the bottom of the page

901 WorldWide TAC 1

902 WorldWide TAC 2

903 WorldWide TAC 3

They have been created to allow finishing long QSOs started on the 91~95 worldwide talkgroups, while allowing new calls to take place on the wide-audience groups.

When a QSO starts on a talkgroup that is known for being static on a very large number of repeaters (and often used as a call channel), and the participants feel that the conversation will be longer than a couple of minutes, they decide to move to a TAC in order to free the original talkgroup so other calls can take place.

If you have started a QSO on talkgroup 91 for example, and you’d like to talk for a long time without monopolizing this very large audience talkgroup, check the talkgroups 901, 902, and 903 for activity (this can easily be done using the dashboard’s lastheard, or your radio), and ask your party to QSY to one free TAC talkgroup. You can then continue your QSO for as long as you’d like. Other hams who wish to participate to this QSO can follow you, while new calls can take place on 91.

They are designed to be Dynamic TalkGroups and should not be fixed on a repeater.

Hotspots' and Repeaters' Passwords

An important change occurred on October 1st 2021

The default password “passw0rd” used for MMDVM, Homebrew, and Kairos connections has now been removed from BrandMeister DMR Master Servers.

Below are the details of which devices will be affected with this change, and how to address it.

MMDVM, Homebrew Hotspot users (which includes OpenSpot, Pi-Star, BlueDV, ZumSpot, etc.)

If you have not yet specified a hotspot password in your BrandMeister Selfcare, please do so by following the steps further down in this article. You will also find explanations on configuring your personalized password for the Openspot, Pi-Star and BlueDV.

MMDVM, Homebrew Repeaters Owners

If you are running a repeater using a 6-digit DMR ID and connected to a BrandMeister Master, and you have not set a password yet, please login to your repeater page via your BrandMeister self-care page and scroll to the bottom of the screen where you will find the “Device Password” field:

Once saved, configure your repeater to use this password when connecting to any BrandMeister Master server by entering it into the "BrandMeister Hotspot Security" box below the server name. If this fails, then go to the Configuration/Expert/MMDVMHost menu if you have a single network, or Configuration/Expert/Full edit DMR-GW if you have multiple networks or have the Gateway enabled for any other reason, and enter the same password in the box below the BrandMeister server name in either case. A warning here - Copy and Paste does not work. The password has to be manually entered.

Dual time-slot MMDVM devices

If you are running a dual-timeslot MMDVM with a 7-digit DMR ID, please follow the steps described in the hotspot section above.

Validation and use of DMR Identifiers

To use the BrandMeister Network via a repeater or hotspot, you must have a valid Identifier know as a CCS7 identifier. For a repeater this consists of 6 digits and for personal use an ID of 7 Digits. This identifier can be used on D-Star, P25, TETRA, DMR, NXDN and other modes. This permits the interoperability between these different modes. The first 3 digits of the CCS7 indicate the country of origin by the use of the Mobile Country Code (MCC) a sequence of codes issued by the International Telecommunications Union.

For example the UK MCC code is 235 (and 234). This code has no legal interpretation by OfCom, but has been adopted by the World Wide Amateur Radio fraternity as a whole. DMR cannot be used without an ID. The system is internationally administered by RadioID.net (see below). The issue of these numbers is not within the remit of OfCom and is undertaken by the Amateur Radio Organisations. The use of such a number does not constitute that the user has a valid licence, however there are checks in place in respect of their issue in the first instance.

To obtain a DMR Identifier consult https://radioid.net/

Information / Services

Essential Connection Information

For information and help with the UK Master server please visit our Telegram group: https://t.me/BrandmeisterDMRUK

For our facebook page click on https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandmeisteruk

Motorola IPSC

• IP Addresses = 51.68.220.36 / 2001:41d0:801:2000::296c
• Port = 55000 (UDP)

Hytera Multi-Site

• IP Addresses = 51.68.220.36 / 2001:41d0:801:2000::296c
• P2P port = 50000 (UDP)
• Data port = 50001 (UDP)
• RDAC port = 50002 (UDP)

Homebrew protocol (MMDVM)

• Name = BM United Kingdom 2341
• IP Addresses = 51.68.220.36 / 2001:41d0:801:2000::296c
• Port = 62031 (UDP)
• Password = (your hotspot password) See Notes

Hytera PNAS RoIP

• IP Addresses = 51.68.220.36 / 2001:41d0:801:2000::296c
• Port = 50180 (TCP/UDP)
• Password = (your hotspot password)

SmartPTT Dispatch

• IP Addresses = 51.68.220.36 / 2001:41d0:801:2000::296c
• Port = 55001

Configuration

Configuration specific to the server Hand-Off Timer: 15 seconds

• On-Demand Timer: 600 seconds
• Maximum record time on the Parrot: 90 seconds
• WWCQ Round Mode: deactivated

HotSpots

Users of non-NOV Hotspots are obliged to use a personal password for access to the BrandMeister Network see the top of this page . The password is derived from the Self-Care section of the users personal account on BrandMeister. To get the best use of the network with the personal password, use the United Kingdom server BM-2341 at all times. Changing servers may not carry the same password privileges.

Why must i do this? By protecting your account on the server in this way, it will help to prevent your ID from being used by another individual. Even extended Identifiers eg 2089117-01 are protected in this way. A further protection is also available on Self Care that can lock your ID when it is not in use to prevent the same misuse while you are not for the time being operational.

Due to the various modes in use on the UHF 430-440 MHz band, the following frequencies are recommended for the use of UHF Low-power non-NOV personal Simplex HotSpots. That is to say, those devices used purely within the personal environment of the licenced user and for he/she alone. They may be at a fixed address or used whilst mobile.

• 434.000 MHz
• 438.800 MHz.

For Duplex non-NOV HotSpots there is no clear guidance, however the use of one of the DVU channels that is not in use in the area may be acceptable provided the device is not elevated. For VHF simplex Hotspots the following segment is offered, however verify the activity in your locality before selecting a frequency.

• 144.794-144.990MHz. Check the latest ETCC advice on ukrepeater.net for up-to-date available simplex frequencies.

The use of any other frequency may impinge on other activities, including Satellite working. In any case check the RSGB Band plan to avoid infringing your licencing conditions.

TalkGroups, Reflectors and Interconnections

Unlike other amateur networks, BrandMeister permits all valid TalkGroups. These will be routed globally across the network. To facilitate this function, some of the TalkGroups have been ascribed a label. The list in real-time is here. https://api.brandmeister.network/v1.0/groups/ - However some of the information is in utf-16 format, for example the Greek language and French accented characters, so will be displayed literally like \u0394 or \u0039. The information source is in constant use and cannot be changed to reflect your needs.

Reflectors (formerly of the 4001 + range) are no longer available and not supported on BrandMeister, as the numbers correspond with MCC code extensions in the Far East.

BrandMeister permits access to All TalkGroups on each of the two time slots 1 & 2. Kindly go to the repeaters page https://brandmeister.network/?page=repeaters where you can find a recommendation for the allocation of TalkGroups that are activated, on which time slot per repeater by entering the callsign of the repeater required. The sysop of each repeater can give recommendations of the use of the time slots for dynamic TalkGroups, that is to say user-activated, and not fixed. Look closely at the configuration of the repeater as it presents itself on the page on the left hand side. The sysop may also have described the recommended code-plug at the head of the page. For example follow this link for GB7YJ Repeater. https://brandmeister.network/?page=repeater&id=235174

Talk Group 2350 is the Centre of Activity of the United Kingdom BrandMeister Network and short QSOs are permitted

Whilst TG 235 is available, it is rarely monitored by rote on any repeater, so do not expect a reply. Go to 2350

TalkGroups 1-90 are always local, unless there has been a request to connect a group of repeaters together such as TalkGroup 75 for the Salop (Shropshire) Cluster of Repeaters. However connections to this cluster may also be achieved by selecting TalkGroup 23575 on any repeater or hotspot. On a repeater please use time slot 1.

The Below TalkGroup table illustrates the Named TalkGroups. The named 5-digit groups are of Regional status, but each regional group can give rise to other unnamed TalkGroups within the similar structure, for example 23561 is a TalkGroup fixed on Time Slot 1 on all repeaters in the Tyne & Wear area within the North East Region, GB7CZ, TY, XX, XY, YI, HT, MS and NE. There is no requirement to name such groups.

There are a small number of international TalkGroups that normally commence with 9, such as 91, 92, 913, 923. Information on these can be obtained on the Worldwide Wiki https://wiki.brandmeister.network/index.php/Category:Country or the real-time list above or here on the main page https://brandmeister.network/?page=talkgroups, or in fact below.

A specialist group 23526 is available, connected across many networks and modes courtesy of HubNet.

In answer to many questions on the subject, the new Hoseline can be found here https://hose.brandmeister.network/?subscribe=2350. Any talkgroup can be set to be monitored.

TalkGroup 98 has been dedicated for the purposes of two-way testing. Feel free to use it at any time, without fear of disrupting current activity elsewhere. Here you may find stations available to help in any way.

Talk Group 91 World-Wide whilst interesting has inherent difficulties. The operating for the most part on this group is not best practice for DMR, that is to say very few gaps are ever left for the purpose of i. breaking in to join a conversation on the network, or ii. disconnecting from the Talk Group. If you wish to listen to Talk Group 91, do so from the privacy of a hotspot, and avoid where ever and when ever possible its use on a repeater, as it may detract from the real purpose of a repeater, that is to say to provide extended mobile coverage to the fixed Talk Groups that have priority on either slot.

Statistics of talkgroup activity

Bot in progress.

Official TalkGroups

Worldwide TalkGroups

Note - New Talk Groups Worldwide

In the following table, please note the new talk groups 901-TAC 1, 902-TAC 2, 903-TAC 3. TAC means 'TACtical' but give the opportunity to QSO from 91 which has seen a great deal of activity, and also a difficulty in maintaining a coherent QSO. These channels will need adding to your current code plugs to enable their use. On repeaters please use them on Time Slot 1 where TG 91 should be also. However check with your local repeater keeper for the requirements as necessary.

APRS

Destination: 234999 Private Call.

To modify the GPS icon or change the SSID, use your self-care account https://brandmeister.network/?page=login.

Here at APRS text you can modify the text sent as your Talker Alias, for those equipments capable of receiving and displaying it. There is limited character space.

Disconnection from Dynamic TalkGroups

When activating a Dynamic TalkGroup (i.e. one that is not fixed) it remains active for a period, known as the Hang-Time. Some of these TalkGroups such as Worldwide TG 91 are quite active and the many users there may leave few data breaks in transmission for you to be able to disconnect from the selected group. The use of such groups may prevent important activity on the normal fixed TalkGroups upon the same slot of the device that you use.

On a repeater however despite the possibility of the expiry of the hang-time, you are kindly asked to disconnect from the TalkGroup once you have finished by making a very brief transmission on TalkGroup 4000 on the slot that you have used. This provides the connected server with the information to remove the path to the active TalkGroup.

To facilitate your ability to use TalkGroup 4000, make a group call entry 4000 in your contacts list (TalkGroup list in the Anytone 868/878), and assign the group to a hotkey or auxiliary button on the side or front panel of your terminal. When used on either Time Slot, TalkGroup 4000 initiates a report from the server of "not linked".

Parrot or EchoTest

The parrot allows you to test your modulation and your connection. All you are required to do is to pass a private call to the parrot and speak for a short time, to a maximum of 90 seconds. As you release the PTT, the connected server should repeat your private call transmission back to you. Not only does this give you an indication of your audio levels and quality, it confirms your connection to the server. There is no need thereafter to call on another group and ask for a radio check, simply call for a contact as you would on any other mode or band. A group call to 9990 serves no purpose.

The parrot call is achieved in two ways. The traditional method has been to send a private call to 9990, however it is more correct to send a private call to the server-maintained parrot on the server to which the user is connected. So for the UK server 2341 if connected here, a private call should be made to 234997 to achieve the desired response.The user should use the same MCC code (234) to which the repeater or hotspot to which he or she transmits.

The addition of 9990 set as a private call can be made in the contacts list in most terminals, (TalkGroup list in Anytone 868/878) and programmed as an auxiliary button on the side or front panel. Alternatively such as in the Tytera MD-380, you can touch the 'M' button normally set as a private call initiator, and tap 9990 on the keypad, and then press the PTT to make a short transmission.

MMDVM

The BrandMeister network permits connections from home-brew devices. Under default conditions the password is “passw0rd”. Note the replacement of “o” with “0” - 'zero', however from the 1st October 2021, all mmdvm or non-hytera or non-motorola devices just have a personal password. For hotspots this is set in self-care on the BrandMeister personal account, but for mmdvm repeaters this is set on the Sysop pages of the repeater concerned. The default password can no longer be used. It will normally have to be replaced every time a change is made in the pi-star software. The Pi-Star software controlling most of these devices has the BrandMeister United Kingdom 2341 server set in the server list. The new server should now be updated in all Pi-Star lists. Normally server BM-2001 appears as default so check your settings. See here and below for immediate help.

https://news.brandmeister.network/configure-a-security-password-for-your-hotspots

Mumble

Mumble settings

Address: mumble.brandmeister.uk Port: 64738 Username:(must be callsign-dmr id) eg: M0UPM-2342927 Password: (this must me your hotspot security password) Currently there are three talkgroups connected to Mumble for testing (2350 UK Calling, 31672 PI-STAR, 23511) Please note when setting up Mumble ensure VOX and voice announcements are disabled before connecting otherwise your connection will be removed

BrandMeister API settings

For users of Pi-Star, there are settings found in the expert menu - BM-API, which when set, allow the user or repeater manager to administer Fixed Talk Groups on BrandMeister on the device directly. The settings have now been updated to Version 2.

To enable these new settings, follow the instructions that can be found at https://news.brandmeister.network

HAMNET

Some servers have HamNet connections. It will be necessary to make further enquiries in this case.

Where to ask for help ?

Radio-Amateurs

In most cases you will find instant help by making a call on TalkGroups 235 or 2350.

Official BrandMeister Support Portal

In the first case the main support can be found here: https://support.brandmeister.network/servicedesk/customer/portals - By completing a ticket, one of a number of the BrandMeister support team will respond to you in due course. A support ticket number will be assigned and you will receive a response by email. These tickets are dealt with in order of their receipt.

Forums

Technical forums can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandmeisteruk

Instant Message Group

A support group on Telegram can be found here: https://t.me/BrandmeisterDMRUK

Video Tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiJKmuwF6NY1iwCJz0vCOmQ

Tutorials for Connecting Hotspot Devices

OpenSpot - https://wiki.brandmeister.network/index.php/OpenSPOT

OpenSpot 2 - https://wiki.brandmeister.network/index.php/OpenSPOT2

OpenSpot 3 - https://youtu.be/ZGdIJKuJYGE

DVMega - https://wiki.brandmeister.network/index.php/DVMEGA

DV4Mini - https://wiki.brandmeister.network/index.php/DV4mini

MMDVM - On completion of entering your personal data, to connect to BrandMeister UK, go to the configuration page from the menu to display this paragraph.

If you have already selected a new password for your own security then apply it in the appropriate box below. It is recommended that you do so at the earliest opportunity.

For more comprehensive information on the configuration of Pi-Star, go to https://forum.pistar.uk/ where all the most detailed information can be located.

Special Advice to Pi-Star Users

When configuring your device, please ensure that your connection to BrandMeister is assured and working, before attempting to change the settings to DMR Gateway. As you do so, change only one parameter at a time and click 'Apply'. In this way you can observe the correct responses as the server connects, and you can verify that parameters do not change subtly as you apply them. This has been the cause of difficulties in many such installations, where connections seem to time-out or are refused.

Verify that your ESSID has remained intact, and that any passwords previously changed have not been overridden.

Documentation

New functions, modifications and improvements of BrandMeister appear sometimes at such speed it is difficult to keep up. News on any updates will appear from time to time here: https://news.brandmeister.network/