If you are a licensed operator whom is new to DMR networks (or perhaps new to amateur radio in general), here are some simple guidelines to help you navigate within the many talkgroups and digital networks available. You may also download a free Operating Ethics & Procedures reference guide from arrl.org made available to radio amateurs. While there, please consider showing your support by becoming a sponsoring member of the ARRL. Welcome to the world of DMR communications!
1. CODE OF CONDUCT - Be courteous, patient, helpful, supportive, friendly and a good listener. Treat all other operators as though they are an esteemed member of your own family. The amateur radio community is a worldwide fellowship of communications and technologies enthusiasts.
2. TALK PERMIT SETTINGS - Be sure to program your DMR device to transmit only when talkgroups are clear of active transmissions. To do this requires changing your radio's (or channel's) TX Permit settings to Channel Free mode (this terminology may differ depending on your radio device). Doing so insures that other's active communications are not being interrupted by your key-ups. Your device will remain able to transmit of course, but only when a talkgroup is clear of active traffic. Also, when holding your push-to-talk button to transmit, pause for about two seconds before speaking. This allows time for full capture of your digital audio packet to transmit through connected network routes.
3. LIMIT KEYUPS - Also called kerchunking, keyups refer to pressing the PTT (push-to-talk) button on your radio device to activate talkgroup access. Full-time talkgroups (commonly international or statewide TGs) are generally always-on and do not require any keyup activation to connect (check your local repeater's talkgroup assignments). Part-time talkgroups (such as TAC groups and localized TGs) may require a keyup in order to activate a connection with your station. Once active, part-time groups will later disengage from your local repeater (and your device) after a set period of time, commonly between five to fifteen minutes. When the connection drops, simply keyup once again to reconnect to timed-out TGs. Repetitious keyups are unnecessary, may be disruptive and can overtax repeater and network systems. Only keyup talkgroups as needed to maintain desired connections and perform communications. Keying up numerous talkgroups simultaneously may also strain repeater operations and create service conflicts.
4. TALKGROUP DESIGNATION - With so many talkgroups available, it's important to understand and abide by their intention. Many full-time TGs service a broad geographic area... some regional, others statewide and some are international. International talkgroups can be referred to as DX talkgroups (DX is an old telegraphic term meaning 'distance'). Such wide area talkgroups may be linked to a large number of interconnected DMR repeaters and user access points. As such, it is common amateur practice to limit the amount of communication time within these wide area full-time talkgroups to perhaps a few minutes at best. Should a communication be quite involved or run long, it's courteous to move the conversation to a more localized, less trafficked part-time talkgroup, or make a direct private connection to the participating station(s). Part-time talkgroups are most commonly used for longer QSOs (contacts/conversations) but should be shared courteously with other operators.
5. SPECIAL SERVICES - There are some talkgroups and Nets (organized on-air meetings) dedicated to amateur radio special services such as ARES, MARS, RACES and Skywarn. These groups serve both public and non-public interests in times of emergency and often require special licensing and/or certification. None of these talkgroups should be transmitted upon while engaged in special service functions without proper authorization, or interfered with in any way ever, unless to address a matter of imminent danger to person or property where no other means is readily available.
6. LISTEN FIRST - When connecting to any amateur frequency or talkgroup, take a few moments to first listen for on-going transmit traffic. If activity appears light or absent, feel free to keyup and transmit your identifiers (see below). If there is an ongoing QSO (conversation) that you would like to join, or perhaps simply a desire to acknowledge your presence in that group, wait for a break between transmissions and briefly present your callsign. Other active stations will often pause to acknowledge you, perhaps invite you to join or their QSO or relinquish their traffic. In the event of an true emergency; promptly key-up, say "break break", announce your callsign, and state your emergency traffic. Operators should never falsify emergency situations, and should always relinquish frequencies and talkgroups to emergency traffic.
7. IDENTIFIERS - When initiating transmission on any amateur bands you must present your FCC callsign. Thereafter, you are required to re-transmit your callsign at least every ten minutes during the course of your on-going transmissions. In DMR talkgroups it is not necessary (though certainly not prohibited) to use code terms like CQ, QSL or other such preambles when entering or operating talkgroups. These are referred to as Q-codes or Q-signals (pdf guide here). Such code usage is welcome of course and many times useful, though may not be understood by all operators. A common practice when first transmitting into a talkgroup is this key-in example, "This is K3NYJ monitoring on TAC 310". This short identifier format is adequate for compliance, acknowledgement and to invite other interested operators to QSO should you like.
8. TRANSMIT QUALITY - One of several advantages of digital modes is clearer transmit and receive quality when compared to many analog modes. There are instances where digital transmissions may suffer. Be sure to adjust your DMR device to nominal microphone and power levels, so as not to over/under modulate (be too loud or too quiet). Additionally, it is possible to over-extend your transmit range away from a hotspot or DMR repeater creating loss rate, aka packet-loss. This translates into choppy, broken or dropped transmissions. Should this occur (as others may report), it's courteous practice to suspend or end your transmissions until your connectivity has been improved.
9. ENVIRONMENT NOISE - Another form of poor quality transmission may stem from our surroundings. Background noise and signal interference can be a factor and create an undesirable receive experience for other operators. Examples include excessive road noise during vehicular travel, radio frequency interference (RFI) from other power or electronic devices, audio sounds from sources like TV or music stations (which is prohibited), etc. If you encounter reports of undesirable background noise from other operators, seek to diminish or silence those sources before continuing on, or simply end your transmissions until resolved.
10. LANGUAGE - Licensed operators are a myriad group, both young and old, from many different walks of life. Your choice of words and subject matter during transmissions is heard by anyone listening to that TG or frequency. Strong language and profanity is not only frowned upon by the amateur radio community, it is also prohibited per FCC regulation. Furthermore, while you may feel entitled to your own opinions of the world, some topics of discussion may be offensive to others and may be prohibited under the law. Enter the Amateur Auxiliary and FCC who monitor amateur frequencies for various violations and locate/report perpetrators. Consequences that could arise from serious violations may include termination of FCC licensing, imposed penalties/fines and civil and/or legal actions. Additionally, most digital networks use publicly identifiable ID numbers assigned to licensed operators. Anyone can easily see and log exactly who they are listening to and, in some instances, even record offensive transmissions for the purpose of FCC complaint submission.
11. CONTACT PERMISSIONS - While not addressed specifically under FCC regulations, it is proper operating etiquette to acquire permission (in-advance) from other digital operators before initiating a peer-to-peer connection attempt using their network ID numbers, including any transmission of SMS, MMS or other forms of communication to those operators. Our FCC and network IDs are publicly accessible. However, that does not assume or grant an opt-in consent for unwanted and/or unsolicited contact. It's best to presume that amateur digital operators have opted-out of direct contact until you are given their prior consent to contact them forthwith. Federal and state legislation do provide legal protection from pervasive harassing or threatening contact as mandated by law.
12. RECORDING - Amateur radio frequency bands are deemed public-domain for the purpose of receiving (listening to) transmissions. A valid FCC amateur license is required to transmit on those bands. A number of devices are capable of recording such analog/digital transmissions and other related data during radio operation. The FCC finds legal the 'divulgence of transmisions by amateur radio or citizen band radio operators', so long as not for personal gain (see FCC guidance here). That being said, recording amateur band transmissions is allowable under FCC regulations. However, there are federal and state laws that set limitations on the purpose and manner of disseminating such recordings, publicly and/or privately. Please consult all legislation as is applicable to you before creating or sharing such recordings. In so far as amateur radio operations, it is proper etiquette to inform other operators of your intention to record their transmissions, prior to doing so, and for what purpose the recording would serve. Should any licensed operator object, it's best to cease and desist with any attempt or action of recording their transmissions. In the event that a recording would serve the FCC and/or law-enforcement to uphold the law, or serve to protect the public's safety (person or property), then record as necessary and contact the appropriate agencies for further guidance before any dissemination of such recordings.
14. LOGGING - It is not required to keep a logbook of amateur radio contacts in VHF/UHF analog or digital amateur bands. However, you may find keeping a logbook useful or entertaining. You could do so old-school style with a notebook or printed log sheets. Or, depending on your computer's operating system, you can find software and websites online to electronically enter and store your analog/digital contacts... yes, even logging DMR contacts should you wish. I keep a log of notable contacts with notes about the operator, like their radio equipment, what they do/did for work, what branch of military they served, etc. It's a nice personal touch when QSOing with other operators to recall something important to them. This also helps develop a personal connection with them as fellow hams.
15. HAVE FUN! - Operate your radio devices with fun in mind. We've covered several topics here and I am sure that I will continue to edit and add more as they arise. This list is surely not all-inclusive but it addresses some of the most important best practices for digital amateur radio. Feel free to contact me with anything overlooked or topics that you feel would be worth mentioning.
73,
Patrick, K3NYJ
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