0. Digital Voice and Data ICOM D-Star The Cutting Edge?
California Yacht Club
Radio Amateur Group
June 14, 2008

1. The PAPA System 1

2. CONTENTS About D-STAR D-STAR Benefits D-STAR Radios
Key Benefits
Why D-STAR
D-STAR Benefits
D-STAR Radios
Stand alone system operation
Gateway (“Linked”) system operation
RF configuration of repeaters
Resources
Conclusion

3. WHAT IS D-STAR Digital – Smart Technology for Amateur Radio
ICOM’s implementation of JARL open standard for UHF/VHF digital voice and data communications
2 Meter, 440 MHz and 1.2 GHz
Consists of radios, repeaters, and (optional) Gateway hardware and software
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) with forward error correction
“New” Modulation Scheme
RF aspects remain unchanged (RF is RF) 3

4. WHY D-STAR Why Not D-STAR? Something in it for everyone
Gateway and PC
for Data Commx , Programmer , and Networking Interests
RF for the Antenna and RF System interests
“Rag Chewing” on Local and Gateway Repeaters
Amateur Radio allows experimentation
An experiment that seems to be working
More Elegant and targeted form of networking than
IRLP or EchoLink
Must know users QTH and node number at that QTH
D-STAR only requires knowledge of person’s call sign
D-STAR Replace Analog FM???
Akin to AM to SSB on HF in the 50’s and 60’s
Not to worry – D-STAR and Analog will co-exist for a long time

5. KEY BENEFITS
Digital Quality Voice Communication Simplex Or Via Repeater
Coverage On 440 Equal To Or Better Than Analog
10% To 15% More Range – Try It And Report Back
Audio Quality Is Consistent
Nationwide Routed Call Sign Calling Via Gateway
No Need To Know QTH Of Target
Key-up Networked D-STAR Machine And The World Knows Your QTH
Data Transmission
Low-speed Data On UHF and VHF
Wideband Service Is Available On 1.2 Ghz With Up To 128K Baud Rates
Wireless Internet Access Via Router Available (1.2 GHz)
Part 97 Presumably Applies To Content 5

6. Additional Benefits Multicast Capability
Extensive support via forums and user groups
Lower RF bandwidth requirements (6.25 KHz vs.16 KHz)
Digital messaging in Digital Voice mode
i.e., works on 2M, 440 or 1.2 GHz)
Location services (e.g., D-PRS/APRS)
IP compatible, OPEN JARL standard
Probably between repeaters on the air (Internationally)
Approximately 500 Gateways
Approximately (???) Registered users
Gateway users each day – estimated 600 to 700 +
15 – 20 repeaters in Southern California
Multicast Capability 6

7. D-STAR REPEATERS – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Pocket Auto Patch Association (PAPA)
Oat Mtn (Gateway)
KI6JKA ( )
Saddle Peak (Gateway)
KF6BQK ( )
Palomar
WB6YES ( )
Woodson Mountain
KI6KQU ( )
Crest Line
Online now
Mt Otay
Ed Kane, W6ONT; Cecil Casillas, WD6FZA

8. D-STAR REPEATERS – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA con.
South Orange ARA (SOARA) K6SOA
Laguna Beach (1000’)
Full Stack w/ Gateway
; ; ; MHz
Brian Roode, NJ6N; Howard Brown, KG6GI
Independent Radio Club
Contractor’s Point — WA6IRC) (Gateway)
Full Stack
; ; ; MHz
Blue Ridge — W6CPAR (No Gateway)
MHz; – MHz
Leon Brown, KC6JAR; Ken Chafin, W6CPA
Dennis Hughes, KE6RYZ
Keller Peak KC6RYZ Gateway

9. D-STAR REPEATERS – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA con.
Ray Wunno, KE6LE
Rancho Palos Verde KE6LE
No Gateway
Ray Waldemar, WA6NVL
Dave Leeper K6DWL
El Monte K6DWL
Frequency Not Noted
Gateway
HRO
Anaheim
Gateway
Palm Springs
Gateway
K6IFR

10. D-STAR RADIOS

11. D-STAR Radio Capabilities
D-STAR Radios Modes
Radios work in both digital and analog modes and dual banders are available
AM, FM, FM-N, and Digital Voice (DV)
DV Dongle
Station Identification is Automatic in DV
“Built” Into Each Digital Signal Sent
Meets all FCC Identification Requirements
Can Send Simultaneously (and Display on The Radio)
Your Name, GPS Position, and Text Message in the same Data Stream at 2400 Baud
At 2X Packet Speed

12. DV Dongle
AMBE Dongle – Provides AMBE 2020 interface between a radio and computer through USB port.
Computer can monitor and process baseband packet stream
Many more uses

13. Initial Start-up Screen
Dv Dongle PC SCREENS
Initial Start-up Screen
Connected Screen

14. D-ECHO Authored By: Robin Cutshaw, AA4RC
The repeater will record your transmission and play it back upon un-keying.
The application is invoked by entering repeater call-sign and ‘E’ into the UrCall field (e.g. KF6BQK E).

15. GPS Operation 15

16. Low-Speed Data IC-91AD/92AD IC-80AD ID-800H IC-2820
Data, PC Programming Cables
IC-91/92AD & IC-2820
Same Cable used for Both Radios
ID-800H
PC Programming – OPC-478 or OPC-478U
Data – OPC-1529R
Any Terminal Program should work
ID-91AD Software includes Terminal Prog
D-CHAT by NJ6N (Quite “User-Friendly”) 16

17. D-STAR CHAT Authored By Brian, NJ6N
Runs on Windows
Enables text based communications between multiple stations simultaneously.
Runs on repeater, through the gateway, or on simplex frequency.
Customizable
Can send periodic QST message.
Filters GPS data from the message stream.
Has 7 quick send text message slots

18. Radios Now Available
ID GHz Mobile (10 Watts, High Speed Digital Data, Digital Voice, Analog Voice) -- $900
ID-800H 2M/440 Mobile (55 Watt VHF/50 Watt UHF Digital Voice and Data, Analog Voice -- $550
IC-2200H 2M Mobile (65 Watt VHF Digital Voice and Data -- $290 with optional digital module
IC-V82/U82 2M/440 HT (Digital Voice and Data) -- $390 with optional digital module
IC-91AD / IC-92AD / IC-80AD 2M/440 HT (Digital Voice and Data, Analog Voice) -- $ with digital module
IC-2820 Dual Band Mobile (Analog and Digital) -- approx. $860 with optional DV module
Home brew 2-meter demonstrated at Dayton 2007
DV Dongle approximately $190 18

19. COMMUNICATING WITH D-STAR RADIOS

20. Getting Started Local Repeater Usage
No Squelch Tails Or Courtesy Beeps From Repeaters
But You Do Get A Status Read Back!
Ur* Or Ur? Usually Means You Did Go Through
RPT* Or RPT? Usually Means You Did Not Go Through
Local Repeater RPT* -Try Again
Gateway Ops RPT*
Check Your Routing Calls RPT1 & RPT2 Or Local Gateway Could Be Down
Remote Repeater Could Be Busy
Short Transmission From The Repeater
About 1 Second After Unkeying
Be Conscious Of How Close To The “Cliff” you Or Other User May Be

21. PROGRAMMING USER’s RADIO
Lots of Memory Channels
Many Setups – Organization Of Channels & Names
Programming Software Strongly Recommended
When You Begin To Program For Gateway Usage
You Don’t Want To Program Calls While Driving !

22. PATIENCE PERSISTENCE P&#?*
MAIN REQUIREMENT
PATIENCE
PERSISTENCE
P&#?*

23. LOCAL REPEATER SAME BAND
CALL SIGN ENTRIES
Preferred Entrys (First 7 or Fewer Character Positions)
“MyCall” The Radio Owner’s Station Call Sign
“UrCall” “CQCQCQ”, Repeater, or Individual
“RPT1” KF6BQK^B (note the 8 characters)
Good Idea to use Repeater Call here
For 1.2 GHz Repeater { }
For 440 Repeater { }
e.g. for Saddle Peak
For 2M Repeater { }
Raised Repeater Without this Entry
“RPT2” No Entry Required B A C A C B
“^” = Space or Blank

24. D-STAR REPEATER SYSTEM
4 Box System with GATEWAY Shown*
Note 1
Module“A”
Module “C”
Module “B” A B C G
* D-STAR System can be Controller , GateWay PC Plus any 2M, 440, 1.2 GHz DV or 1.2 GHz DD Modules
Note 1: Analog RF Components (Filters, Cavities, Circulators, PreAmps, etc 24

25. RADIO INITIAL SETUP - DV
Turn on Radio
Set Frequency as for Analog FM (Mt Woodson MHz)
Set offset (±0.600 MHz for 2M; ±5MHz for 440 )
Decide on the Communication You Want to Accomplish
To whom you want to talk
Defined by “RPT1” and “RPT2”
Enter / Program Call Signs into the Radio
Push Buttons, Turn Knobs to Alpha Numeric Entry Areas
“MyCall” Always the Radio Owner’s Call Sign (e.g. Cecil uses WD6FZA)
“UrCall” Always the Station Being Called (CQCQCQ, Repeater, or Individual)
“RPT1” Call sign (& port) of the originating (input) repeater
(Local Repeater e.g for Woodson use KI6KQU^A, B, or C)
“RPT2” Call sign & designator of the gateway or cross band port
Call Routing (Local Repeater e.g for Mt. Woodson use KI6KQU^A, B, C, or G)
“^” = Space or Blank

26. PROGRAMMING D-STAR RADIOS – CALL SIGN ENTRYS
Decide On The Communication You Want To Accomplish
Simplex
Repeater
Local
Same Band
Cross Band (2M To 440, 2M To 1.2 Ghz, 1.2 Ghz To 440 Mhz
Another Part Of The World Via The Gateway (e.G. San Francisco, Atlanta, Australia, Italy)
Cross Band (2M To 440, 2M To 1.2 Ghz, 1.2 Ghz To 440 Mhz)
Tells You What To Enter Into “Urcall”, “RPT1”, And “RPT2” Blocks
Eight Character Positions For Each Block
Seven For Station/Repeater Call Signs
Character Position Number 8 Is A Switch

27. SIMPLEX OPERATION – CALL SIGN ENTRYS
Preferred Entrys (First 7 or Fewer Character Positions)
“MyCall” The Radio Owner’s Station Call Sign
“UrCall” No Entry Required
“RPT1” No Entry Required
“RPT2” No Entry Required
Owner’s Call Sign (“MyCall”)is automatically transmitted each time PTT is pressed
Communications can be accomplished with nothing entered for “MyCall”, “UrCall”, “RPT1” or “RPT2”

28. Gateway Essentials Registration Required For Gateway Operation
Get With Your Local Administrator To Get Registered
Registering More Than Once Can Mess UP Gateway Data Base
Similar to IRLP Except
D-STAR Calls Are Automatically Routed
No Registration Required For Local Use
Conversations Are NOT Private
Both Ends Hear All
User Linking / Routing, Not Site Linking
User Determines The Route His Transmission Takes
Program Your Radio Ahead Of Time For Mobile Gateway Operations

29. YET ANOTHER D-STSAR RADIO PROGRAMMING AID

30. Gateway Call Sign Entries
First Decide
With Whom You Want to Communicate
To Where You Want to Communicate
Preferred Entrys (First 7 or Fewer Character Positions for Call Signs)
“MyCall” The Radio Owner’s Station Call Sign
“UrCall” “/” Remote Repeater Call followed by an , , or
OR The Call Sign of the Individual With Whom You Want to Talk
“RPT1” KF6BQK^ , or , or (note the 8 characters)
For 1.2 GHz Repeater { }
For 440 Repeater { } e.g. for Mt Woodson
For 2M Repeater { }
“RPT2” KF6BQK^G A B C
/ = CQCQCQ
“^” = Space or Blank

31. THE CUTTING EDGE?
Not the only digital game in town, but it works out of the box
Excellent performance on 440
ISDN rate internet access via ID-1
Transparent call routing throughout the D-Star Network
Significant experimentation and innovation is occurring (e.g., home brew radios, openstar.org) 31

32. Appendix

33. D-STAR REPEATER SYSTEM
Stand Alone 4 Box System Shown*
Note 1 A C B
Module“A”
* D-STAR System can be Controller Plus any 2M, 440, 1.2 GHz DV or 1.2 GHz DD Modules
Module “C”
Module “B”
Note 1: Analog RF Components (Filters, Cavities, Circulators, PreAmps, etc) 33

34. Local Repeater Cross Band
Call Sign Entries A C B
As an Example :
WD6FZA Communicating Cross Band on the Mt Woodson D-STAR Repeater
440 to 1.2
440 to 2M
2M to 440
2M to 1.2
1.2 to 440
1.2 to 2M
MyCall
WD6FZA
Ur Call
CQCQCQ
RPT1
KI6KQU^B
KI6KQU^C
KI6KQU^A
RPT2 B A B C C B C A A B A C
“^” = Space or Blank

35. RESOURCES
Icom D-Star Home
illinoisdigitalham (Yahoo Group, digital radio in general, including D-Star)
Digital Radio Audio Comparisons
D-Star Forums (ICOM hosted)
DSTAR Radios
Icomamerica manuals downloads (ICOM hosted)
(this presentation, in the “about D-Star” section) 35

36.
 Provides listing of most recently heard stations, time, reporting node
geographical locale and maps of repeater locations.

37. DSTAR REPEATER DIRECTORY

38. GATEWAY REPEATER CALL SIGN ENTRIES
Module“A”
Module “C”
Module “B” A B C G
As an Example :
WD6FZA Communicating Through the Mt. Woodson D-STAR Repeater Gateway on The Darwin, AU VK8RAD 2 Meter Box
440 to 1.2
440 to 2M
2M to 440
2M to 1.2
1.2 to 440
1.2 to 2M
MyCall
WD6FZA
Ur Call
/VK8RADA
/VK8RADC
/VK8RADB
RPT1
KI6KQU^B
KI6KQU^C
KI6KQU^A
RPT2
KI6KQU^G B A B C C B C A A B A C
“^” = Space or Blank

39. Gateway Operation 39

40. LINKED REPEATER (GATEWAY) OPERATION
KF6BQK B
KF6BQK G
TALKING TO
VK8RF
VK8HF
VK8RAD G
/VK8RADC OR
DARWIN, AUSTRALIA
San Diego
WD6FZA
D-STAR Radio Entries
= MyCall
= UrCall
RPT1 =
RPT2 = 40

41. Call Sign Squelch (DSQL) & Code Squelch (CSQL)
Configuration option on your radio
If enabled, squelch opens only when your call sign is received
Call sign squelch is bypassed if calling station operates in EMR mode
Code Squelch (CSQL)
Squelch opens only when a preset code is received
Programmable codes: 0-99
Code squelch is bypassed if calling station operates in EMR mode 41

43. D-STAR REPEATER SYSTEMS AND
RF CONNECTIONS

44. RF Configuration (D-10) 44

45. RF Configuration (D-1) 45

47. 47