History of D-Star
D-Star protocol was created by JARL (Japanese Amateur Relay League) in 2001. The funding came from the Japanese government and primarily promoted by Icom. This process took 3 years of research. D-Star has been slow spread, however now 11 years later there is a large number of D-Star Repeaters in the US, Canada, Europe, South America and Australia.
Capabilities of D-Star
D-Star (Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio) has the advantage of Digital voice as well as slow and high speed data capabilities. This allows users to send their call sign and messages via text while transmitting voice communications as well. With the Icom ID-1 and a D-Star Data repeater you are able to use the 128kbps high-speed data to send files, surf the web, or use internet applications.
D-Star voice communication is called DV mode (Digital Voice) which is made possible by the AMBE (Advanced Multi-Band Excitation) CODEC.