How to begin your QSO with hams around worldwide?

We can see the data from the RadioID website, there have a global network of 144243 DMR ID’s, and it is increasing every day. The hams they can communicate with their local friends via local repeater. One question for us, how to communicate with hams from other countries?

For DMR novice, you can begin from a classic DMR radio Retevis RT3. and a easy to use DMR hotspot. As I know, many hams communicate on the air with hams via Brandmeister what is a decentralized network active in 43 countries running a total of 58 Master servers.

Here are somethings need to know:

1. What is a master server?
The master server is the server that allows access to a DMR network. there are several master servers for the DMR network managed by different sysops.

2. What is the talkgroup on Brandmeister?

Broadly speaking, the Talkgroup is a thematic "room" where all those interested in the subject matter speak. Each talkgroup has its own ID which will be used to program the radio according to our needs and to be programmed in the address book as a group contact.

Pi-star Configruation:

After get one DMR hotspot, configure wifi. Then You can take it with you whether you are at home or go outside.

Configure your DMR callsign and DMR ID, and some basic information in the pi-star configuration page. Choose your country DMR Master.

Next we are ready to program the radio:

1. Go to general setting to set your radio name and radio ID (here radio ID equals to your DMR ID).

2. Create digital contacts. ( Here group contacts equals to the Brandmeister talkgroups, Private contac equals to the personal who keeps a DMR callsign ID ).

3. Write the frequency, color code, time slot same with the frequency set on your pi-star configuration. Contact name choose the talkegroup which you want to listen.