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#Post#: 5866--------------------------------------------------
TGIF DMR Amateur Radio Network: Net Report Friday, June 19, 2026
DIR By: VE3RD
Date: June 20, 2026, 7:38 am
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TGIF DMR Amateur Radio Network: Net Report
Net Date: Friday, June 19, 2026
Net Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Talk Group: 31665
Net Control Station (NCS): Steve, W2SHR (Filling in for Robert
Bretzmann, K4WZV)
Location: Outer Banks, North Carolina
Discussion Topic: Preparing for FCC Exams
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Executive Summary
The net was opened on a warm Friday night by substitute Net
Control Operator Steve (W2SHR), standing in for regular host
Robert (K4WZV). Despite minor technical issues involving
cross-device audio monitoring early in the broadcast, the net
successfully logged a high volume of check-ins across multiple
regional call areas.
The evening's discussion focused on strategies and resources for
successfully preparing for FCC Technician, General, and Amateur
Extra class license examinations. Additionally, a new amateur
radio mobile application called QSO1 was officially announced by
its creator during the news segment.
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Net Log & Attendance
Short-Timers & General Check-ins
[] KB7AVT Kilo Bravo 7, Alpha Victor Tango
[] NY2S November Yankee 2, Sierra
[] NT9Q Gary (November Tango 9, Quebec)
[] VE3JAR Vic / Victor (Victor Echo 3, Juliet Alpha Radio)
[] N6CZE November 6, Charlie Zulu Echo
[] K7VCE Kilo 7, Delta Charlie Echo
[] KB4QC Kilo Bravo 4, Quebec Charlie Echo
[] WC7V Whiskey Charlie 7, Victor
[] N4ZWR November 4, Zebra Whiskey Romeo
[] KD8JKK Frank (Kilo Delta 8, Juliet Kilo Kilo)
[] N6YQ November 6, Yankee, Quebec
[] WA3ZHR Whiskey Alpha 3, Zulu, Hotel Romeo
[] KD0CIV Dolores (Kilo Delta 0, Charlie, India, Victor)
[] N3JA November 3, Juliet Alpha
[*] AD2IZ Robert (From Buffalo area)
Regional Call Area Check-ins (0, 1, 2, 3)
[] KB3NUN Edmund (KB3, Nancy, Uniform, Nancy)
[] VE1JWM James (Victor Echo One, Juliet Whiskey Mike)
[] KA1PIT Scott (Kilo Alpha One, Papa Italy Tango)
[] KW0ZOZ Stephen (Kilo Whiskey Zero, Zulu, Oscar, Zulu
"The Wizard of Oz")
Regional Call Area Check-ins (4, 5, 6)
[] K4WZV Robert (Kilo 4, Whiskey, Zulu, Victor "The
Godfather")
[] K5GU Leland (Kilo 5, Golf Uniform)
[] WX4BDP Brandon (Whiskey X-Ray 4, Bravo Delta Papa)
[] W4SFX John (Whiskey 4, Sierra Foxtrot X-Ray)
[] KD4BJA Kirk (Kilo Delta 4, Bravo Juliet Alpha)
[] N4XV Jonathan (November 4, X-Ray Victor)
[] NG5N Jerry (November Golf 5, November)
[] KX4XR Robert (Kilo X-Ray 4, X-Ray Romeo)
[] WA4CLA Stephen (Whiskey Alpha 4, Charlie Lima Alpha)
[] KF5KHS Michael (Kilo Foxtrot 5, Kilo Hotel Sierra)
[*] WW4AM Stephen L. Smith
Regional Call Area Check-ins (7, 8, 9)
[] KC8USA Fred (Kilo Charlie 8, U-S-A; broadcasting via
jetpack from Houghton Lake, MI)
[] KB8KES Michael (Kilo Bravo 8, Kilo Echo Sierra)
[] N9RUT James (November 9, Romeo Uniform Tango)
[] KC8UKB Eric (Kilo Charlie 8, Uniform Kilo Bravo)
[] KB9LIQ Benjamin (Kilo Bravo 9, Lima India Quebec)
[] WD9HGO Paul (Whiskey Delta 9, Hotel Golf Oscar)
[] KB8PFL Kilo Bravo 8, Papa Foxtrot Lima
[] NS8G Jeffrey (November Sierra 8, Golf)
Late Check-ins & Topic Participants
[] KB3JQQ Scott
[] WM3Q Samuel
[] W3RD Phil
[] N6PPP Chris
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Announcements & Marketplace
New Application Announcement
Frank (KD8JKK) checked in from Willoughby Hills, Ohio, to
announce the launch of a new application called QSO1.
[] Details: The software functions as a mobile phone
application for connecting to digital networks. It features a
newly added DMR module alongside existing integrations for
AllStar Link, EchoLink, and M17.
[] Availability制品: Currently accessible in a
free beta phase at qso1.net.
[*] NCS Remarks: W2SHR noted this marks the second
cellular-to-DMR interface application released or updated in the
week, signaling positive growth for accessible digital voice
networking.
Marketplace
No items were listed for sale, trade, or purchase during the
marketplace call. Late check-in Scott (KB3JQQ) was logged during
this window.
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Topic Discussion: Best Methods for FCC Exam Prep
With the upcoming July 1st shuffling and revision of the FCC
question pools, the net discussed the most efficient and
practical study methodologies for operators upgrading or
entering the hobby.
[*] Eric (KC8UKB): Practice Exams on Mobile Devices
Eric highlighted the efficacy of using mobile web tools to run
question sets during short workplace breaks. He successfully
utilized this routine to clear both his Technician and General
exams. Net Control Steve (W2SHR) concurred, adding his personal
success using Ham Radio Prep and the ARRL website's practice
matrix, emphasizing that the Extra exam pool requires exposure
to diversified test engines to avoid unexpected phrasing.
[*] Robert (K4WZV): Understanding Concepts Over Pure
Memorization
Robert strongly advised against rote memorization of public
question pools. He noted that while memorizing may pass the
test, it defeats the long-term utility of the license. He
recommended pairing structured instructional study guides with
iterative practice tests, advising candidates to schedule their
exam only after consistently hitting the 85% to 90% benchmark on
practice runs.
[*] Gary (NT9Q): Mentorship, Visuals, and Paced Rotations
Drawing from his background as an electronics technician, Gary
advised utilizing localized knowledge assets like an "Elmer"
(mentor) to decode challenging concepts such as wavelengths and
antenna properties. He suggested strict study pacing: working
intently, taking a full week completely off to reset mental
fatigue, and then diving back in. He also recounted past
techniques for learning Morse Codelistening to fast tapes
(1830 WPM) passively around the house to adjust the brain to
sound structures rather than individual character counts.
[*] Samuel (WM3Q): Auditory Translation of Code
Samuel added an analytical take on learning code for historical
context, explaining that viewing every letter as an individual
musical cadence or rhythm pattern (referencing the "Victory
Sign" cadence) allowed him to rapidly master 20 WPM code speeds
within a two-month timeframe.
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Acknowledgments & Legacies (TGIF Operations Group)
Before closing, Net Control recognized the operational,
developmental, and historical pillars of the TGIF Network
infrastructure:
[] Mitch Savage (EA7KDO) [Silent Key]: Network founder who
originally established TGIF on a standalone Raspberry Pi,
created the Nextion display templates for MMDVM hotspots, and
spent infinite hours on direct support.
[] James Valley (KF6S) [Silent Key]: Collaborated heavily
with Mitch on the Nextion projects and custom-engineered PyStar
compatibility for RAD-XA single-board computers during the
global Raspberry Pi supply shortages.
[] Ty Weaver: Recognized for his ongoing technical
contributions and core programming solutions driving network
infrastructure.
[] Andy Nielsen (G7LRR): The core developer behind the
primary dashboard, managing DMR traffic flow and implementing
the web-based automated net scheduling utility.
[] Glenn Allison (N3MEL): Founder of the network's
international forum page (currently retired).
[] Forum Management Team: Mark Rounds (AD2CH), Doug Smith
(KE5CDK), and Joe Garber (WB3IHY) for managing community
technical boards and assisting new network operators.
[] Vic Lone (VE3JAR): Acknowledged for executing
comprehensive system documentation for the TGIF digital
framework.
[] Phil Thompson (VE3RD): Commended for running active net
recordings, developing and maintaining the TGIF Nextion screen
hotspot derivatives, and archiving past broadcasts. Net
recordings can be listened to directly on the primary dashboard
index at TGIF.network.
[*] Robert Bretzmann (K4WZV): Chief Engineer of the network,
thanked for his constant infrastructure oversight ensuring
24/7/365 connectivity.
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Net Sign-off
Net Control Steve (W2SHR) wished the participants a safe and
happy Father's Day weekend. The net officially concluded at the
end of the 8:30 p.m. EST session on June 19, 2026. Talk Group
31665 was officially formally vacated and returned to standard
international amateur utilization.
73 to all participants.
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