D-STAR Repeater Operation Info and Links
W4AES Gateway is now Active!D-STAR has come to Orlando. As of 5-1-08 there is an Icom D-STAR repeater system on 442.025 Mhz, the 2 meter port has been setup on a temporary low power setting for testing on 146.610 Mhz and the 1.2 Ghz repeater is not active yet but will be soon. The Internet GATEWAY IS NOW ACTIVE !! as of 7-29-08. The callsign of the UHF repeater is W4AES__B, The VHF is W4AES__C and is being hosted by the W4AES Club. For now enjoy the UHF machine and test your D-STAR gear, if you are close enough you can test your 2 meter radio on W4AES__C. The gateway will provide more activity and help bring some life to D-Star in the Orlando area.
You will need to register in order to access the gateway. Use this link to access the registration page. You will get a page load error due to security certificate being needed. Just accept the certificate and the page will load normally. It is a secure web page (https) thus the need to accept the certificate. Here is a link on how to register and what info needs to be entered, it is important to follow the instructions in order to be setup properly. Any problems email me and I will help you get signed up. I'll put more detailed info here as I get it. This should get you going.
This is going to be very interesting being able to have yet another method of working the world with no QRM. The testing that has been done so far shows remarkable audio quality even at very low signals. D-STAR audio is either there or its not, it doesn't seem to increase or decrease usable range but does enhance the weaker signals with solid audio no fluttering or hissing on weak signals, S-1 and 2 signals sound like full quieting FM signals. Although signals between moving vehicles tend to drop in and out when dead spots are encountered where analog signals would just get noisy the D-STAR audio sounds like a bad cell phone connection does or as others have said R2D2 from Star Wars. I think it is a step in the right direction though.
Now with a new D-STAR item called a DV Dongle you can experience D-STAR operation from your computer for around $200.00. Lots of other things are spinning off from D-STAR, time will tell.
I will not attempt to go over the operating instructions or practices as other sites have already documented but I will provide some links to those sites and others below. Jump on the wagon and be a pioneer in the latest thing to hit Ham Radio.
Use this link to access the registration page.
D-Star Self Registration Instructions.
D-Star Info page and Callsign calculator at the D-Star Information Website.
New D-STAR item: DV Dongle D-STAR from your PC.
Latest DVTtool software available here at OpenDstar.org.
Alabama Linked Repeater System
KI4PPF.org Click on Documents for a Very Good explanation of "How It Works"
Icom Repeater and Gateway Manuals
D-STAR Repeaters / Users Map
Use JFindu to find active local users on the W4AES D-Star system.
Main D-Star Search Website, search for active D-Star repeaters in your area and users on them.
Another active D-STAR Repeaters and User list at the D-Star Users.org Website.
Icom ID-800H Usage
µSmartDigiTM APRS© Digipeater D-GateTM D-STAR GatewayTM
FORUMS:
Icom D-STAR Forum
K5TIT D-STAR Forum
DV Questions - Icom Forum
D-STAR Comms software forum
YAHOO GROUPS:
Icom ID-91 Group
Illinois Digital Ham Radio Group
Yahoo ID-800H Group
Alabama D-STAR Discussion Group
Yahoo DVDongle Group
D-STAR and APRS Group
D-Star Software Radio Yahoo Group.
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