ID-880H DR Mode
Digital Repeater Mode
Now, you have three choices how to program your D-STAR repeaters and linking.
1.Memory Channels
2.Call Sign/UR Button (with Memory Channels)
3.Digital Repeater Mode
Memory Channels
1. Memory channels only -- for every repeater you access directly, you put it in
a set of memory channels, with the UR call field for each channel in the set
containing he link command for a remote repeater or reflector you want to link
too. Also set up a memory channel in each set to unlink the repeater. This was
the original way to do it, but if you want to access a lot of local repeaters,
or link to a lot of remote places, you quickly run out of memory channels as you
need to set up all the combinations.
¨Memory Channels
Call Sign Memories / UR Button
2. Use call sign memories to store the linking commands to various remote
repeaters/reflectors, and then you just set up a single memory channel for each
local repeater you will want to access. Then, you select the appropriate memory
channel for you local repeater, and when you want to link, select the appropriate call sign memory with the linking command you want, and key up. Then
set the UR call back to CQCQCQ. This was the best way to do it with the IC92AD
and 2820. You can have up to 60 call sign memories (linking commands)
Your Call Sign (UR Button)
Digital Repeater Mode
3. Use the new "DR" digital repeater feature (available on ID880, ID31, ID51).
Define the repeaters in a repeater list, and the remote repeater/reflector repeater commands in the call sign memories.
You will need to create a call sign memory "DRCQCQ" to use as a default UR call (instead of using "CQCQCQ") Why?
Because ICOM didn't really design the feature with DPlus linking in mind, and so
when you use a UR call of "CQCQCQ", the radio won't send the stream to the
gateway. This makes sense if you are using D-STAR as originally designed, where
it is pointless to send "CQCQCQ" to the gateway since it is not routable, but it
breaks DPlus. So, create an entry "DRCQCQ" in a call sign memory. The radio then
thinks this might be routable, and will sent it to the gateway so that DPlus can
take over and do it's thing. With the programming scheme, it is not mandatory to
define the repeaters in the conventional memory channels -- instead you put the
radio into DR mode, and can cycle through the repeater frequencies defined in
the repeater list. The other benefit of this setup is that you can do node
routing (ie. UR = "/repeater_call+port") without having to use up any memories
-- it's automatically available.
Repeater List (DR Button)
Programming
1. Download and install the Icom CS-80/880 software available from the Icom website at
http://www.icom.co.jp/world/support/download/firm/IC-80AD_E_ID-880H_E/1_00/index.html
2. I recommend finding someone with a *.icf file (this is the type file read by the program you
downloaded in step 1). If you cannot, you will have to build your own. You can manually
program the radio if you choose. However, starting with the software and building a *.icf file
will be much easier. The radio is not difficult to program, but it is very time-consuming. If you
need to build your own, go to
http://www.dstarinfo.com/repeaters/Lists/Icom_ImportRepeaterMemoryRepeater_List.aspx
and follow the instructions there. The instructions are accurate.
3. Once you have all of your parameters programmed in the software, write them to the radio.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
4. The radio should be back on at this point.
5. Press [DR] to enter DR mode.
Programming Continued
6. If you need to select the repeater group, press [BAND] for 1 second and turn [DIAL] to select the
appropriate Group. All of my repeaters are in Group 1. Press [BAND] to leave the group
selection screen.
7. Select the repeater name you want to use.
8. Press [DR] for 1 second.
9. Momentarily press the [BAND] button until you see “GRP UR.” Rotate [DIAL] until you see the
UR call sign you want.
10. Press [DR] again for 1 second to select RPT2 call sign (examples follow):
a. NOTUSE = RPT2 empty.
b. GW = xx4yyy*G.
c. Another port on the repeater.
11. Press [DR].
12. Press [DR] again.
13. Press [CS] to check call signs and operating frequency.
Testing
1. Press [DR] to enter DR mode.
2. Rotate [DIAL] to select repeater name
3. Press [DR] for 1 sec.
4. Press [BAND] and select “GRP UR.”
5. Turn [DIAL] to select correct UR call sign – I am selecting *******I.Page 2 of 3
6. Press [DR] for 1 sec. to select RPT2 call sign.
7. Turn [DIAL] to select GW. This will populate RPT2 with W4LET**G.
8. Momentarily press [DR] two (2) times.
9. At this point, you can momentarily press [CS] and rotate the dial to verify the correct call signs
and repeater frequency. Press [CS] again to get back to the DR mode display.
10. Key the mic and see if the repeater’s INFO reads back to you.
11. Check at http://dstarusers.org/ to see if you’re making it out over the gateway.
Calling On a Local Repeater
1. If not already in DR mode, press [DR].
2. Press [BAND] for 1 sec.
3. Rotate [DIAL] to select repeater group.
4. Press [BAND].
5. Rotate [DIAL] to select repeater name.
6. Press [DR] for 1 sec.
7. Press [BAND] and select “GRP UR.”
8. Turn [DIAL] to select CQCQCQ.
NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT SELECT GRP UR AND TURN THE DIAL TO CQCQCQ, USERS OF THE
DVDONGLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HEAR YOUR SIDE OF THE CONVERSATION.
9. Press [DR] for 1 sec. to select RPT2 call sign.
10. Turn [DIAL] to select GW. This will populate RPT2 with your repeater’s GW call sign.
11. Press [DR] two times to get back to the DR Mode display.
12. Momentarily press [CS] and verify call signs and frequency. Press [CS] again to get back to DR
Mode display.
13. Talk.
14. If you have an Internet connection, you can check and see if you come across at
¨Linking to a Reflector
1. If not already in DR mode, press [DR].
2. Press [BAND] for 1 sec.
3. Rotate [DIAL] to select repeater group.
4. Press [BAND].
5. Rotate [DIAL] to select repeater name.
6. Press [DR] for 1 sec.
7. Press [BAND] and select “GRP UR.”
8. Turn [DIAL] to select the reflector you want (ie REF001CL). The “L” in position eight tells the
system you want to make a hard link.
9. Press [DR] for 1 sec. to select RPT2 call sign.
10. Turn [DIAL] to select GW. This will populate RPT2 with your repeater’s GW call sign.
11. Press [DR] two times to get back to the DR Mode display.
12. Momentarily press [CS] and verify call signs and frequency. Press [CS] again to get back to DR
Mode display.
Linking Continued
13. Press the PTT to enter the LINK command.
14. Press [DR] for 1 sec.
15. Press [BAND] and select “GRP UR.” It should already be selected.
16. Turn [DIAL] to select CQCQCQ.
17. Talk.
18. When finished, Press [DR] for 1 sec.
19. Press [BAND] and select “GRP UR.”
20. Turn *DIAL+ to select *******U. This is the unlink command and the “U” is in the eighth
position.
NOTE: ALWAYS REMEMBER TO UNLINK ONCE YOU ARE DONE.
21. Press the PTT to enter the UNLINK command.
NOTE: THE SAME SEQUENCE SHOULD WORK IF YOU WANT TO HARD LINK A REPEATER. YOU
WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE REPEATER NAME PRE-PROGRAMMED IN THE YOUR CALL SIGN LIST
BEFOREHAND.
You have to put something other than CQCQCQ in the UR Call field when using the
DR mode. If you use CQCQCQ it will negate the RPT2 (Gateway) field. Use DRCQCQ
in the UR call field when using the DR mode.
1.First load in all the repeater parameters you want to access in the Repeater List section of the cloning program (not the Memory Channel section).
Also program in DRCQCQ into the UR call section of the program.
Write the changes to the radio.
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2.Then momentarily push the DR button to enter the DR mode.
3.Turn the knob and select a repeater name.
4.Push and hold the DR button for 1 sec.
5.Turn the knob and select the UR call as DRCQCQ or a call other then CQCQCQ (CQCQCQ will keep the R2 field blank).
6.Push and hold the DR button for 1 sec.
7.Turn the knob and select GW for the R2 field if you want the gateway.
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8.Momentarily Press the DR button again.
Now when you hit the DR button it will put in DRCQCQ as the UR CALL and the
repeater gateway G as the 8th character in the RPT2 Call for all the repeaters in your
repeater list. It is easier to hit the DR mode to access the D-Star. The DV mode still works
just as good, it just requires a little more knob turning.