November 27, 2010 Ottawa D-STAR Symposium by Linking and Routing Ken VA3KA

2 Linking and Routing Call Sign Routing vs Linking What are these features? How do they work? When do you use them? Issues Radio programming

3 Call Sign Routing Early feature of D-STAR Network – before linking was available Allows you to contact a station anywhere on the network without knowing where they are Routing will be to the last repeater where the destination station has transmitted on Some issues related to call routing to keep in mind.

4 Issues – Call Sign Routing Destination station must have recently transmitted Call sign updates may take a while – so if the destination station has changed repeaters the system may not find the call in the right spot! Destination station must “call capture” Not possible to know if the destination repeater is in use – you could come in right on top of a QSO in progress You will not hear any users on the destination repeater except those that “call capture” you Must return UR to CQCQCQ when done!

5 Linking Generally preferred usage Can link to a repeater (any module) or a reflector Ability to monitor the destination without interference Call capture not required at destination Anyone on frequency will be heard

6 Issues - Linking You need to know which repeater (and module) the destination station is monitoring (if you are looking for a specific station) Once you successfully link – you must return your UR to CQCQCQ! The same when you issue the unlink command

7 Radio Programming 1 Call Sign Routing: UR: The destination callsign RPT1: The local repeater (i.e. VA3ODG B) RPT2: The local gateway (i.e. VA3ODG G) IMPORTANT: Return UR to CQCQCQ when done!

8 Radio Programming 2 Linking (Repeater/Reflector): UR: The destination repeater/module followed by L in the 8 th space (i.e. VE3YYZBL or REF016CL) RPT1: The local repeater (i.e. VA3ODG B) RPT2: The local gateway (i.e. VA3ODG G) If successful you will see a message returned from destination repeater i.e. Connected to VE3YYZ B

9 Radio Programming 3 Linking (Repeater/Reflector):Once the link is established, remember to change the UR to CQCQCQ! To unlink change the UR to the following: U (7 spaces then U) After successful unlink message received remember to change the UR back to CQCQCQ