🗼D-STAR Fans

Getting Started / First Steps

The very first thing to do when working with D-STAR is to configure your station values. These include your call sign in the MY value on your radio (including a short suffix), and a message. With D-STAR, every transmission includes your call-sign, so even a quick "kerchunk" on the air, repeater, or reflector will be sent to other D-STAR users who will be able to see this info in their RX history log.

With D-STAR, this can be very handy because some radios include text-to-speech functions that announce the call-sign of transmissions too short to include the call-sign in a voice transmission. Also, if a listener is not focused on the radio at the moment a transmission is recieved, they can go back and see who was calling.

When operators make a QSO they start with their call sign, and often report on signal strength, their location, and equipment used. After setting your call sign, D-STAR makes it easy to share some of this other info as well. Most D-STAR radios support a "suffix" which is a 4-character value following a slash at the end of the call-sign. The convention is to enter the model number of your radio such as /92AD, /52A, or /5100. This will make it easy for those familiar with these radios to understand your hardware capabilities - such as sending and recieving images. Some sites with D-STAR Info on First Steps advise putting your name in the suffix – but this only works for people with four-letter-word names and shorter. You can also look at reflector statistics to get an idea of the popularity of different radio hardware and modes being used on D-STAR and see how others are using this feature. Some suffixes like /DMR or /PNUT refer to cross-mode links or software being used to access the D-STAR system instead of a radio.

While location data can be shared from GPS, oparators often use the TX Message value to share their name and general location, keeping in mind that via reflectors, people anywhere in the world might see this message. One example might be "Mark in Galena, Ohio" keeping in mind that there is a 20 character limit on the message field.

Many radios allow several call signs and messages to be stored allowing them to be changed frequently to reflect the user's current status. This can allow a great deal of information to be sent with brief kerchunks or long-winded ragchew transmissions just the same.

One might think themselves clever to enter some made-up value as their call-sign on D-STAR. This is possible, but only valid call-signs may be used to access the network of D-STAR gateways. Once registered with your local gateway, your call sign is your passport to the wider world, so it pays to ensure this value is set correctly from the start.

How to use D-STAR without a repeater

It's easy to make use of D-STAR without any repeaters or hotspots. Start by setting your radio for 145.6700 (the National 2m D-STAR Calling Frequency) and put your radio into DV mode. Just key the mic and you're operating with D-STAR!

Here are a few other frequencies to try:

2m	70cm
145.6000 DV	441.0000 DV
145.6700 DV (Calling)	445.6700 DV

HF from 6-80 Meters more on that below.

D-STAR simplex operation allows you to:

1. Send your callsign with every transmission (though it's still advisable to ID via digital voice)
2. Send your location if GPS is enabled , or the GPS coordinates are programmed into your base station (great for pointing directional antennas)
3. Sending pictures via mobile devices or transferred to a supporting radio via memory card (you can even talk while you transmit)
4. Send short text messages along with each transmission, as well as host text chats using the RS-MS1A or RS-MS1I apps.

With a supported radio and these apps, one can unlock some really neat features like Text Messaging chats.

D-STAR Gateway Registration

While you don't need to register to use D-STAR, it's required to use features that require the internet Gateway functions of repeaters, such as linking to other repeaters, or using reflectors. You'll probably want to do this sooner rather than later, so might as well get properly registered right away.

This registration site is provided by volunteers to enable D-STAR enthusiasts who do not have a local gateway system to register with; a place to register for access to the D-STAR network. You must have a valid amateur radio license issued in your country of origin to register here. D-STAR Gateway System (REGIST)

Responding via Callsign Routing

When using a Gateway, one can simply press and hold the [RX→CS] button (or [ENT] on Kenwood) for 1 second to respond to the last station heard.

D-STAR Reflectors & Nets

For an exhaustive list of nets, N5VLZ mtainains the most comprehensive list of D-STAR nets I'm aware of. I use the Eastern Time list the most.

Here are a few of my favorites (where I try to be a regular).

REF 035 C (backup REF XRF 035C)

REF 091 C

REF 055 D - Picture Net Wed @ 02:30 UTC

REF 014 C

REF 038 A - Ohio Reflector

REF 030 C - Southeast USA

REF 001 C - International

REF 040 A - Ham Radio Crash Course Cross-mode Reflector
XRF 621 A - Ham Radio Crash Course Cross-mode Reflector (URF)

D-STAR Gateway Last Heard

Last Heard allows you to see which stations have been connecting through an Internet gatway from a repeater or some other digital device like a hot spot or DV Dongle. It also shows you where the repeater or reflector is located.

Training

Here is a link to my Intro to D-STAR slide deck.

The Charlotte Digital Radio Group has created this succinct double-sided hand-out.

Related Software

Gateway Repeaters

D-STAR Call Sign Memonics

To help remind me which Call Sign (CS) value is which, I use these tricks to keep the values straight.

YOUR is where I put YOUR call sign, repeater, or reflector.

RPT1 rhymes with FROM.

RPT2 rhymes with TO.

Beyond that, the main thing to remember is that RPT2 must be set to a repeater Gateway to use features of D-STAR that make use of the Internet.

It takes some practice, but hopefully these memonics will help.

D-PRS: How to share location with APRS users

APRS is a neat technology for sharing info on your QTH, or sharing your position while mobile. Some use it when traveling off the grid to leave a trace of the route they ended up taking in the event of an emergency. Still others use APRS to commune with nearby hams.

D-STAR transmissions contain location information where available (if the radio GPS is active and the feature is turned on), so similar functionality is automatic among D-STAR users. In the spirit of cross-compatibility though, the D-PRS feature was added; allowing the D-STAR location information to be shared on the APRS network.

To enable this, all one needs to do is use the Gateway function to communicate with a D-PRS capable repeater.

You can check your status on sites such as APRS.fi by searching for your call sign.

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