TGIF Network was started in October, 2018 By Robert K4WZV and Mitch EA7KDO.

They started the TGIF Network with just one talkgroup which became 31665, and about 5 Amateur Radio Operators joined the Network, at this time the system was running on a Raspberry pi.

Later on, Ty (KG5RKI) came on board to help improve the hblink code it was currently running on and move it to a cloud server, then later rewrote the backend to make what was called Callmgr. Michael (K5MRE) and Andy (G7LRR) also joined the team and created many of the features we enjoy on the website and plenty more behind the scene.

Over the course of the next year, the network quickly grew from just a few hundred users to just under 5,500.

The network now is home to around 776 active talkgroups available for all to use.

The main/original talkgroup is original 31665, and is sometimes referred to as the 'Mothership' by many.

All Amateur Radio Operators are welcome to join and try out what the network offers.

The Network is still growing rapidly. Last year, Pi-Star and Shark RF Openspot added the TGIF Network to their list of networks.

But this tale has not ended.. around the end of 2019, Ty (KG5RKI) could see limitations to how far Legacy would be able to scale with the growing number of clients.

So Ty took it upon himself to once again use his coding skills and knowledge of digital networking and in his spare time rewrite and design a network from the roots up which was codenamed 'Prime' and was open do beta testers during development. With Andy (G7LRR) as his partner in crime against the code, and Rob (K4WZV) having his back, the team is making fast progress at creating a great solution for ham radio operators around the world.

TGIF Means (Thank God It's Friday). TGIF net started on a analog repeater in west central Florida. It was handed down to robert around the year 2015 and grew to over 50 check ins.

A small group of us went to D-Star after the repeater was taken down and then moved over to DMR where we started the TGIF net again.

It then moved to the Brandmeister system and has now found its final home as the mothership of the TGIF Network.

No you don't, you can move to a new Talk Group without doing a 4000. The 4000 talkgroup passes no traffic and is a great landing place to park your radio if you wish to receive nothing. Other than that, the last talkgroup you key up will be where you are 'parked'.

If you are in a talkgroup that has traffic you must wait for a gap inbetween so that you can key up a different one because the hotspot does not receive or "listen" to the radio when it is transmitting. When there is a clear gap on the tg just PTT your radio for a moment and you will join the talkgroup you've got dialed in. Wait 10-15 seconds to make sure the channel is clear and then throw your call out!

Another method that you can use to move your hotspot into a different talkgroup is by using the self-care page. You must have an account registered and verified and then you can go to the self-care page listed under your callsign on the top menu bar.

Simply click the tg button on the right side of the panel and it will bring up a dialog box that allows you to type in or search for a talkgroup to move to. You then simply press update to switch to that TG. This method will work even if your radio is receiving traffic from another talkgroup.

Yes! You simply need to append 2 digits to the end of your DMR id.

This is called ESSID. ESSID's are only valid between 00-99.

For example, if your dmr-id is 7643211, you could assign one hotspot an id of 764321101 and another 764321102 and so on. Note the (01) and (02) added to the end. The user security passcode for the dmr id will be used on all hotspots using the dmr id.

Parrot is a service that will record your transmission and send it back to you.

This can be used to test your audio or connection.

To use the parrot feature simply make either a group call or a private call to 9990 or 31000.

Either number will work, and your hotspot will be the only station that hears the parrot echo your transmission back.

This feature is not implemented yet but is high on the list and will be announced on the front page when it is available.

Robert Bretzman (K4WZV) - Admin & Founder

Ty Weaver (KG5RKI) - Lead Developer

Andy Nielsen (G7LRR) - Web Developer

First make sure you are Logged into your account, then go to your Callsign which will show up on the top menu bar, there in the drop down list is link to the Talkgroup Request Form. just fill it in and submit.

Please note, only request a Talk Group that is 5 numbers long only (Example "12345" ) unless you are going to use your own 6 digit repeater ID or 7 digit DMR ID.

The best practice for digital radio networked systems is to leave a gap of about 3-5 seconds. This is so stations can disconnect, swap talkgroups, or be able to join in on the conversation.

If you've got a comment, or want to jump in, simply wait for a gap and just throw out your callsign and the next station will transmit and pass it to you next. It is common courtesy to only transmit your callsign and wait for your turn to be passed to you.

Yes, Just make sure if you have multiple hotspots connected you do not use the same frequency on any of them.

Also do not keep them in close proximity of each other.

The servers that run the TGIF Network draw money from a coffer fund. We pay for much of it out of our own pockets, so we very much appreciate any donations.

If you wish to donate, you may do so by clicking the donation button here:

The most common way of connecting to more than one talkgroup at a time is by using DMR Gateway. You can find information on this on g4klx's github page for DMR Gateway or on facebook, or feel free to join the TGIF discord and ask for help!

Not at this time but could be implemented in the future.

Unless the admin of a specific talk group has a rule for this no. Talk as long as you like.

Just be considerate to your fellow hams and pause 3-5 seconds between TX to allow other stations to break in and switch talk groups.

If your radio or hotspot transmits talker alias itself it will be passed through and will be received by the rest of the stations on the talkgroup. At this time the network will not do it automatically for you, but this feature will be implemented in the future.

Say your call in between TX. You usually will be acknowledged and then you can join the conversation or make your call. Please try and only transmit your callsign and wait to let the next station talk and pass it to you next, this is common courtesy.

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