About Us
Our Mission
Is to provide a consistent Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) experience for all amateurs in the Puget Sound region. We accomplish this through education, support, and relationships. We do this to promote education and use of this robust digital mode of radio communication . We believe this is best accomplished by the use of the BrandMeister network.
Our Vision
We engage with those who are or would like to become DMR users and repeater owners and operators, and to join the BrandMeister global network. We respectfully encourage disparate system owners, repeater owners/managers, operators, and users to join the BrandMeister network to provide a consistent experience locally and all around the world.
Our Challenges
We have found that disparate system owners and operators have different motivations for their systems. The fundamental requirement seems to be Control. Typically, the desire for control is ambiguous. Whether it be a desire to enforce legal operations by users, or an emphasis on ARES/RACES needs, or Search & Rescue missions, they all fall short of the Amateur Code. This control is what leads to an inconsistent experience.
This causes some to believe that it is just another voice mode.
But it's not!
We respect, encourage, desire, and support all of these missions. We simply believe they can be accomplished, at the same time, using the BrandMeister network.
Why build a website?
This site came from a desire to change the perception of Digital Mobile Radio in the amateur radio community of the pacific northwest. We are dedicating this site to education and a factual information exchange about DMR. Our goal is to dispel some common myths and preventing negative experiences in the future. Our intent is to provide both current and future DMR operators a welcoming place, free of unnecessary dogma, rules and other limitations... except for those set forth by the FCC, of course. This site and our groups.io email distribution list provides a forum for receiving and sharing knowledge, and the ability to make your own decisions about how to best use DMR for your needs. We are all open to different perspectives for finding solutions. We will remain manufacturer agnostic as much as possible. Some manufacturers provide solutions and features that others do not. When those arise, we will add a disclaimer. We believe that much will be applicable to amateur DMR around the world.
We’re excited you’re here, we hope you are too! Welcome!
NOTE
WE ARE NOT a club, we are simply a group of like minded repeater owners and DMR users that believe in the intent of the hobby. This means that you are welcome to use any of these repeaters.
Please be patient while we continue to build this site. We have many ideas, day jobs, and families which get in the darn way of making an awesome site overnight. 😊 As it turns out, it take a long time as things are always being improved so many of the items on this site are still fluid. If you would like to send us feedback on the site, please do so by sending us an email: websitefeedback@PSDMRC.groups.io.
Thanks again for swinging by!
As we continue to grow, we are excited to be working toward our vision of engaging with many people throughout the region and expanding access. Click the Coalition Members to see more details about each member.
The Radio Amateur is
CONSIDERATE...He/[She] never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.
LOYAL...He/[She] offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, the IARU Radio Society in his/[her] country, through which Amateur Radio in his/[her] country is represented nationally and internationally.
PROGRESSIVE...He/[She] keeps his/[her] station up to date. It is well-built and efficient. His/[Her] operating practice is above reproach.
FRIENDLY...He/[She] operates slowly and patiently when requested; offers friendly advice and counsel to beginners; kind assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the marks of the amateur spirit.
BALANCED...Radio is a hobby, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.
PATRIOTIC...His/[Her] station and skills are always ready for service to country and community.
- adapted from the original Amateur's Code, written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928
Source: http://www.arrl.org/amateur-code
Founder
Jamie Hughes (WA7JH)
I've been in the commercial radio industry since 1993 working on all kinds of systems and radios. I often explain that radio is; my hobby, my career, and my passion. I got my first exposure to DMR just a short time ago in 2017 when I was hired by Hytera America (West) Inc, as a Sales Engineer and was put on the fast track to becoming an expert. I cannot stress enough how much pride I take in assisting customers with shaping an ideal solutions to meet their needs.
My goal is to educate you in all things DMR. I'm here to explain what DMR can do. I want to dispel the misinformation that some amateur and commercial implementations may express as fact for all of DMR when it is not. I want to provide you with the knowledge surrounding DMR to be able to make the best decision for yourself in how to operate your DMR equipment without taking someone's word for it.
I built this site based on a disappointing experience I had in amateur DMR. Discovering that the system was just another voice mode was so disappointing since I knew that DMR offered so much more. I was lucky enough to discover the BrandMeister network. The BrandMeister system is a global system built by hams for hams. I was shocked and excited. I haven't looked back since.
Thanks for coming and checking us out. We hope you find this site helpful.
73!