1. D-STAR Operating Protocols and Best Practices John Davis - WB4QDX GA ARES District Emergency Coordinator – Georgia Public Broadcasting ARES Emergency Coordinator – Gwinnett County, Georgia WB4QDX@arrl.net

2. Don’t Forget Simplex Simplex mode for direct communication, point- to-point low speed data Simplex mode for direct communication, point- to-point low speed data Basic Simplex settings Basic Simplex settings Frequency/Offset (none)Frequency/Offset (none) Mode = DVMode = DV MYCALL (MY) = your own callsign (WB4QDX)MYCALL (MY) = your own callsign (WB4QDX) URCALL (UR) = CQCQCQURCALL (UR) = CQCQCQ RPT1 = BlankRPT1 = Blank RPT2 = BlankRPT2 = Blank Consider repeater output simplex in memory adjacent to repeater Consider repeater output simplex in memory adjacent to repeater Designate DV simplex frequencies for local use plus store National Simplex Frequency of 145.670 Designate DV simplex frequencies for local use plus store National Simplex Frequency of 145.670

3. Remember the Basics Basic local repeater settings: Basic local repeater settings: Frequency/Offset (some odd splits in SERA states)Frequency/Offset (some odd splits in SERA states) Mode = DVMode = DV MYCALL (MY) = your own callsign (WB4QDX)MYCALL (MY) = your own callsign (WB4QDX) URCALL (UR) = CQCQCQURCALL (UR) = CQCQCQ RPT1 = Local repeater and module (ex. K4WAK C, note module always in 8 th space)RPT1 = Local repeater and module (ex. K4WAK C, note module always in 8 th space) RPT2 = Always use repeater and gateway “G” (ex. K4WAK G to route to Gateway (even if not linking)RPT2 = Always use repeater and gateway “G” (ex. K4WAK G to route to Gateway (even if not linking) Store in memory for easy recall Store in memory for easy recall Store UNLINK ( U) in UR in adjacent memory for quick unlinking Store UNLINK ( U) in UR in adjacent memory for quick unlinking

4. What Happens When Linking? Link command is transmitted with contents of UR field (ex. REF002AL) Link command is transmitted with contents of UR field (ex. REF002AL) Local repeater responds with voice announcement Local repeater responds with voice announcement “Remote System Linked” is link is established “Remote System Linked” is link is established “Remote System Busy” if already linked to something else “Remote System Busy” if already linked to something else Listen for at least one minute to ensure remote repeater is idle (any voice activity will not be heard until next user transmits on remote repeater) Listen for at least one minute to ensure remote repeater is idle (any voice activity will not be heard until next user transmits on remote repeater)

5. Linking Etiquette LISTEN FIRST LISTEN FIRST If idle, check to see if repeater is currently linked by sending “I” command in UR (ex. K4WAK I) If idle, check to see if repeater is currently linked by sending “I” command in UR (ex. K4WAK I) If linked, voice announcement will reply “Remote System Linked”If linked, voice announcement will reply “Remote System Linked” If unlinked, voice announcement will reply “No Link Established”If unlinked, voice announcement will reply “No Link Established” Announce your intentions Announce your intentions Send linking command Send linking command If you linked it, unlink repeater when finished If you linked it, unlink repeater when finished

6. Reflector Practices Know a reflector’s typical use, any net schedules Know a reflector’s typical use, any net schedules REF001C is the “worldwide meeting place” REF001C is the “worldwide meeting place” REF014 for West Coast repeaters REF014 for West Coast repeaters REF015C for D-RATS/D-STAR data REF015C for D-RATS/D-STAR data REF030 for Georgia repeaters REF030 for Georgia repeaters Remember to listen and wait before transmitting to ensure it’s clear Remember to listen and wait before transmitting to ensure it’s clear

7. Callsign Routing Practices Remember you are barging in! Remember you are barging in! You can’t hear if distant repeater is active You can’t hear if distant repeater is active Remote station must program reverse route or press one touch “RX-CS” key to quickly program reverse path Remote station must program reverse route or press one touch “RX-CS” key to quickly program reverse path Consider using Callsign Routing to initiate call, then link repeaters so users on both ends are included Consider using Callsign Routing to initiate call, then link repeaters so users on both ends are included When QSO is over, move radio channel select off one, then back to clear temporary callsign routing When QSO is over, move radio channel select off one, then back to clear temporary callsign routing

8. Net Etiquette LISTEN carefully to net instructions LISTEN carefully to net instructions Leave space between transmissions so others can join in or break Leave space between transmissions so others can join in or break Use “Quick Key” to raise your hand (TX for one second to send callsign) Use “Quick Key” to raise your hand (TX for one second to send callsign) Don’t “kerchunk” during net (NCS sees callsigns and thinks it’s a breaking station) Don’t “kerchunk” during net (NCS sees callsigns and thinks it’s a breaking station) Turn off auto TX or beaconing during net Turn off auto TX or beaconing during net

9. Questions?