Digital –Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio (30 hours of semi-trivia – presented in 30 minutes) Jim Lang / KD9GY

D-STAR What is it ? Who might like it ? How to get started ? What do all the terms mean ? Where can I use it ?

D-Star – What is it ? D-STAR (Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio) is a digital voice and data protocol specification developed as the result of research by the Japan Amateur Radio League to investigate digital technologies for amateur radio. Initially developed in the late 1990’s!

D-Star – What is it ? Method of moving voice packets encoded by the AMBE vocoder, locally, regionally, or globally. D-STAR Network

Who might like it ? Do you like VHF & UHF communications? Do you like DX ? Do you like Echolink ? Do you like Packet ? Do you like Computers ? Do you like APRS ? Do you like writing software ?

How do I get started ? No D-Star Radio Required D-Star Radio Required DV Dongle D-Star Radio Required DVAP (DV Access Point) D-Star Hot Spot D-Star Repeater

How do I get started ? Step 1 – Hardware Choose your access method Step 2 – Registration* (NSRC or SUHFARS locally) Register your call sign WARNING ! Ask for recommendations on where to register Step 3 – Talk

Registration Requirements NOT REQUIRED REQUIRED D-STAR Network

Definitions AMBE – Advanced Multi-Band Excitation DV – Digital Voice DD – Digital Data Hot Spot R2D2 D-RATS Reflector

Look inside the radio 2.4kbps digitized voice +FEC 4.8kbps 1.2 data) Analog Speech GMSK Signal AMBE Controller Modem D-STAR Network

Look at DV Dongle Analog Speech Computer IP Encapsulation D-STAR Network NOTE: No Radio Present ! AMBE

Look at DVAP D-STAR Network

Look at DVAP Typical range: Several hundred feet D-STAR Network

Look at Hotspot (GMSK Modem) Repeater Range – Same limitations as analog repeater D-STAR Network

MoenComm.com Jim Moen – K6JM $129 total cost Optional speaker / mic - $10 AMBE 3000 chip Works on Windows and Raspberry Pi

NW Digital (www.nwdigitalradio.com) One or the other – NOT both!

Existing Illinois Network This is only a partial screen shot of the Midwest activity. Go to: www.dstarinfo.com and click on “Repeater Maps and List”

The Missing Link – ‘Reflectors’ Repeaters for Repeaters Chat-Rooms REF 01C - Dstar’s MegaRepeater REF051C - Chicago area / Northern Illinois REF051D - Central / Southern Illinois REF051A - Emergency Traffic (Illinois???) REF 1B - Illinois D-Star net (Wednesdays 9 p.m.) REF 14C - Ham Nation ‘after show’ net REF 19B - Wisconsin net (Sun & Wed, 9 p.m.)

But Wait – There’s More! “DCS” and “XRF” Reflectors too DCS 006R - Lake Zurich (KC9VUF) *51C  connects to REF 51C #  disconnect D618  connects to DCS 006R 0 (zero)  status of link B10B  X Reflector XRF 10B

Resources http://dstarinfo.com http://dstarusers.org http://www.moencomm.com http://www.k6jm.com/hs-setup.htm http://groups.yahoo.com dstar_digital gmsk_dv_node DStar-Gateway http://dutch-star.eu http://ok-dstar.blogspot.com #DSTAR YouTube channel IcomAmerica.com/dstar http://www.dv3kdongle.com/DV3K_Dongle/Home.html

Icom radios Kenwood tri-bander w/Dstar??? March, 2016???

Questions? Comments?? Gripes??? Summary D-Star has a bit of a learning curve Digital is different from analog It’s been a LOT of fun! More to come, along with System Fusion, DMR and other digital modes Questions? Comments?? Gripes??? Thank You!