D-STAR -- KD8RWK Settings

Hillsboro, Ohio (Near Cincinnati) KD8RWK D-Star Repeater:

Typical D-STAR system (text version):

Antenna <---> Duplexer <---> D-Star Repeater Module (A or B or C or DD transceiver) <---> 172.16.x.x network <---> Repeater Module Controller <---> Linux Gateway Computer <---> 10.x.x.x network <---> Gateway Router (10.0.0.1) <---> Internet

To set callsigns in radio for a gateway call such as communicating on reflectors :

Mode: DV

UR: CQCQCQ

RPT1: KD8RWK B (There is 1 space between the K and the B; B in this example selects the 70 cm module)

RPT2: KD8RWK G (There is 1 space between the K and the G; The G in this example selects a gateway call for communicating to hams in a reflector)

MY CALL: = the call you received from the FCC

Your callsign must be entered with a local gateway registration page and be approved to use gateway calling.

Note: All callsigns with a letter after the call sign must include blank spaces between the callsign and the letter. A total of 8 characters must fill the callsign field in the radio. A four character callsign needs three spaces before the letter -- CCCCsssL where C is the callsign, s are spaces, and L is the module letter. A five character callsign needs two spaces before the letter -- CCCCCssL. A six character callsign needs one space before the letter -- CCCCCCsL.

To set radio for Digital Voice (DV):

Set frequency and offset to match module letter selected in callsign fields above

Duplex: DUP+ or DUP- depending on the offset

Set Radio Mode: DV

To set an ID-31A or ID-51A radio for Digital Voice (DV) and use Reflectors through a local repeater gateway:

The Icom ID-31A and Icom ID-51A handheld radios have an auto mode which sets callsign data based on internal GPS as well as internal memory repeater data, however callsign data can also be set manually. The easy way to communicate through the gateway in the Cincinnati / Dayton area, with the Icom ID-31A and Icom ID-51A, is to use the D-Star Repeater (DR) button. The result of holding the "DR" key held for one second is that the Digital Voice (DV) mode and display is achieved.

The "DR" button is held down. "DV" is visible on the display in place of "FM". The radio is in DV mode and the corresponding display. Next, the "TO" field needs to be highlighted by alternately choosing RX->CS (the up function) and DR (the down function). Once the "TO" field is highlighted, press the blue button, and rotate dial knob to select "Your Call Sign" on page 1/2. Press blue button, rotate dial knob to select " Use Repeater", and press blue button. "Use Repeater CQCQCQ" will appear in the "TO" field. If only CQCQCQ appears, repeat process until the "TO" field contains "Use Repeater CQCQCQ".

Highlight the "FROM" field by alternately choosing RX->CS (the up function) and DR (the down function). Once the "FROM" field is highlighted, rotate dial knob to select the desired repeater. If the repeater is not found, press the blue button, and rotate dial knob to select "Repeater List". Press the blue button, rotate dial knob to select the desired Repeater Group. For example, rotate dial knob to select USA Northeast to find Ohio repeaters, then press blue button rotate dial knob to select the desired repeater, then press the blue button. Once "Use Repeater CQCQCQ" is in the "TO" field and the desired repeater is in the "FROM" field, the radio is ready to communicate through the local repeater gateway.

Find the gateway where the call sign was first registered:

To find out where a call sign is registered, go to http://query.ke5bms.com/index.php or http://dstar.prgm.org/cgi-bin/dstar-regcheck or https://wb1gof.dstargateway.org/cgi-bin/dstar-regcheck?