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Brandmeister DMR Network to Stop Supporting Some DMR IDs
Beginning this summer, the Brandmeister DMR network will no longer support certain devices with DMR IDs that begin with the number 1. Hams utilizing the Brandmeister network with affected DMR IDs are encouraged to request a new ID from RadioID. Brandmeister is requiring their users to obtain DMR IDs that adhere to a Mobile Country Code (MMC) standard to help facilitate automated process that make up the Brandmeister network.
5-digit CAP+ IDs will stop working June 1st. 7-digit personal radio IDs starting with 1 will stop working January 1, 2026. Repeaters with 6-digit radio IDs starting with 1 will continue to work indefinitely.
Fram2Ham SpaceX SSTV Event Starts March 31st
Scheduled to launch on Monday March 31st, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will carry the Fram2 mission to space. Comprised of four astronauts, the mission is designed to take a polar orbit around Earth for a 3-5 day period. During that time, astronaut and amateur radio operator Rabea Rogge (LB9NJ/KD3AID) will be transmitting SSTV images from the Dragon spacecraft between 435 and 438 MHz. (A simulation conducted from the International Space Station in February occurred on 437.550 MHz utilizing mode PD-120.)
Fram2Ham is an experimental radio competition open to high school and university ages. Rogge will send pictures of three geographical locations via an onboard ham radio, but here’s the twist: they’ll be cut into pieces and mixed up! Participants will receive only fragments of the locations and need to guess where on Earth they are and what their role in polar history was.
Visit the Fram2Ham website for more information or join the Discord server.
ARRL to Gather Comments from Members on FCC’s Public Notice
Dear ARRL Member,
On March 12, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Public Notice titled “In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete,” seeking input from the public on FCC rules that may be outdated, unnecessary, or in need of modification. This inquiry is part of the FCC’s ongoing effort to alleviate regulatory burdens across various services, including the Amateur Radio Service.
As part of this review, ARRL is conducting a thorough examination of the provisions in Part 97 and related rules that affect amateur radio operators. ARRL’s written comments, which will be prepared by our FCC Counsel and the ARRL Executive Committee, will include consideration of feedback we received from members.
Members who want to share comments and concerns about this matter are urged to share your feedback directly with ARRL. Please submit your comments by March 31, 2025 and use the following feedback form:
www.arrl.org/fcc-public-
ARRL will submit our official filing to the FCC by the April 11 deadline. After that, there will be an opportunity for reply comments at the FCC until April 28, and then later, opportunities for public comment on any rules the FCC proposes to delete or modify.
While the FCC Public Notice is a broad inquiry that does not single out any specific radio service, ARRL is nonetheless committed to protecting the Amateur Radio Service, promoting its public interest goals, and ensuring your right to access radio spectrum.
ARRL will continue to work on this matter, and we will inform members as more news develops.
Thank you,, 73
ARRL Executive Committee