D-Star

[M0TZO]

So the wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-STAR ) has some infomation on D-Star. Was the result of JARL (Japan Amateur Radio League) research. Also Icom & Kenwood (at least) make radios for this mode.

But has anyone used it??

What's the quality like?
How does it compare to FM &/or SSB?
Is there any quirks to the system?
Anything else to report?

[2e0sql]

I'd think usage levels for the dstar system is pretty low currently due to it being a reasonably new technology (mode), its one mode i do have my reservations about perhaps because it seems a bit to commercial? the only systems I've seen have been made by ICOM.

Think there's a few repeaters down your end of the UK Paul.

Think 2008 will be the year it has to prove itself.

[m0bov]

Just so we all know, we are now linked from wiki and also from the Icom corp D-Star website.

[2e0sql]

Just so we all know, we are now linked from wiki and also from the Icom corp D-Star website.

Very cool James, might increase discussion a bit!

[David]

I've just taken delivery of an Icom IC-E92D.

I have a lot to learn (my first radio) and I'll concentrate initially on learning the basics (how to use FM repeaters, the FM calling channels and programming the memories) but I've done some reading of various DSTAR materials and I'm definitely looking forward to having a go.

There's are a few videos on http://youtube.com including at least one direct comparison with FM and a couple of JARL/Icom promotional videos that give an overview of the system.

More DSTAR repeaters are coming online each month.

One thing in particular that intrigues me is the ability to enter the callsign of any repeater in the world (assuming both it and your local repeater have internet gateways) and then have your transmission repeated out of that rather than your local one. One of the guys on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dstar_digital has used that to chat with a number of users in Japan.

It's not quite as immediate as using an FM repeater. The listening station needs to enter your repeater into his radio to establish the link so leave a good gap after calling CQ. It's also important to include your repeater details in your call. Something like "this is M6STV calling from GB7AU Module B".

[M0TZO]

Some useful links for the Reflectors I've found.

http://ref001.dstargateway.org Main US Reflector
http://ref003.dstargateway.org AU Reflector
http://ref004.dstargateway.org US Reflector No.3
http://ref005.dstargateway.org Main UK and FR Reflector
http://ref006.dstargateway.org Scottish/DE Reflector
http://ref010.dstargateway.org US/New England Reflector
http://ref011.dstargateway.org IT Reflector No.2
http://ref012.dstargateway.org US/San Diego Reflector
http://ref013.dstargateway.org UK Regional Nets/Test&Dev Reflector

[kd0bik]

Some pretty good info on the use of D-STAR from the Colorado D-STAR Association. Check out the wiki page.

http://www.coloradodstar.org/index.htm

Jerry