DStar Setup

Everything you need to set up D-Star successfully is included in the Programmer.

D-Star Settings

• My Callsign - YOUR FCC issued callsign that is registered for D-Star. You can enter up to six callsigns to make it easy for others to use this radio for D-Star activities. This option is often overlooked. Without this entry DStar communications will fail.
• Note - A four-character note that will be sent with your transmission to be displayed on the face of the receiving radio. A unique note can be entered for each callsign in the list.
• Select My Callsign - Set this option to callsign you want to use immediately after programming the radio.
• Select TX Message - Select which of the five text messages to use immediately after programming the radio.
• Tx Message - Enter information about yourself, your radio, your location in a string of 20 characters. This message is sent with your transmission to be displayed on the face of receiving radio. Five unique strings can be entered to be used with different activities.
• Your Callsign list - to the right on this screen is list of Your Callsigns that are used as the "TO" connection during transmissions with DR memories. This list can be adjusted (items taken from or added to) as your activities demand. An original list can be found in a new file. Note: This list is often lost when the radio is reset. It can be restored from the Programmer.
• Name - Customize the string display when selection an option for use as the "TO" connection and again on the face of the radio when that option is in use.

Two Ways to Setup Dstar

Working with Memory Channels

Until about 2014, the abilities of the DStar radios made it difficult to use the DR Memories. They were not easily accessed from the face of the radio. Some early DStar radios did not have DR Memories. There have been many changes in these radios over the years. In earlier radios, DStar was accessed through properly configured memory channels.

Using memory channels for DStar has its advantages. Rather than having to juggle two options (the DR memory and the Your Callsign selection), you know that when you are on a channel, you are ready with the complete command for the repeater. Yes, there is knob turning to execute the command then return to the talk channel; but, that is true no matter how you are accessing DStar.

I would recommend beginning with this set up. Of course, you will get good with the method that you practice, but this might be a little easier until you learn and understand more about the DStar system.

Working with DR Memories and Your Callsigns

Using DR Memories gives you more freedom:

1. To use only one DR memory for each repeater or hotspot rather than the multiples required in regular memories
2. To move to any reflector in the Your Callsign list at any time

The built in D-Star Calculator of the RT Sysetms programmer helps you with DStar setup for each of these. Let's explore each. Want to see it done... check out this video D-Star Calculator in Action

D-STAR Calculator for Memory Channels

Set up memory channels for D-Star automatically using the built in D-Star calculator. RT Systems does all the work for you making sure the D-Star commands are written correctly. Be ready to go with just a few mouse clicks.

Source

Source Repeater - The repeater you access to begin your adventures. Just like with analog repeaters, you must be able to hit the Source repeater. The list contains repeaters from all over the world. This list is maintained regularly so you have a good working file. Get that new list through Help | Check for Updates.

Search by Callsign - Sometimes you know the callsign of the repeater you want to use but don't know where it's located. The repeater may be registered in a nearby town rather than where it's coverage lies. Use Search by Callsign to find that repeater for use in the Calculator.

Hotspot Setup - Check the box for the Hotspot Setup options.

• Enter your Frequency and Callsign.
• Select the Offset Direction.
  If set to Plus or Minus, the Calculator will use a 0.00 Mhz offset
  that is needed by many hotspot devices.
• Complete RPT1 and RPT2.
  In many devices this information is necessary to complete the connection. You will be correct more often if you check the box to complete these fields. This is done automatically with call sign and command spaced properly for use by the device. You will see an example of this information on the next line.

Destination - The Basics

Talk, Echo, Info, Unlink - Necessary functions to DStar operations.

• Talk - The talk channel is for just that... TALKING once you make your connection.
• Echo - The Echo channel lets you know if you are hitting the repeater you selected.
  This should be the first channel you use on any new repeater.
  Key up, give your callsign and say that you are testing. When you release the PTT, your message in your voice will come back to you.
  If it does not or it is garbled, you cannot use this repeater. You are just not hitting it well enough.
• Info - When this command is sent to the repeater, it will respond with information about how it is connected at the moment.
  If not connected, you are ready to use it. If it is connected, you can return to the Talk channel and use the repeater as it is or use Disconnect to clear the connection then make the connection that you want.
  Please, be sure to listen before you use a repeater. While it can be nice to join a conversation, it is extremely rude to disconnect or interrupt someone in an active QSO.
• Unlink - Breaks the connection that you established. A connection must be broken before another can be established.

Repeater Channel/Name - The name you will see for the repeater on the face of the radio.

• Callsign - The deault. The Name entered for the channel will be the callsign with the T, E, I or U designation as shown in the Name fields at the top.
• Location (City) - The city of the repeater will be assigned as the Name for the channel with the proper T, E, I or U designation for the channel.

Callsign Routing - Enter one or more callsigns and have the Programmer set up channels that route directly to that individual.

Destination - Route/Link to Repeaters

In D-Star you can Link to Repeaters or Route to Repeaters. To set up channels that link or route, use the drop down at the top to select your function, then select your repeaters by checking a country, region, state, city or individual repeater. A counter below the list keeps track of how many you have selected.

Destination - Route/Link to Reflectors

For even more fun, and a great way for a beginner to get started, Link to Reflectors. D-Star reflectors are a special type of internet party line that gets you talking to others all over the world. You can often find activity on REF001C and REF030C although many of the others are good for listening until you feel confident enough to join in on a conversation.

Remember... EVERYBODY is listening... but that is what makes it fun. You have a whole world to talk to through the repeater you selected as the Source and then linked to a reflector. To set up a channel that links your repeater to a reflector, check the box for that reflector in the Link to Reflector tree.

Create the Radio File

• Select the Starting Channel Number - If you are working in a file that already has memory information, select a number greater than your last entry to prevent loss of those channels you already entered.
• Leave the Autoincrement option checked for the Calculator to keep up with the last channel used
• Click Apply at the bottom of the screen to set up these channels for the radio.

The Resulting Programming File

• All the details for the Source Repeater are set up auatomatically with correct Receive Frequency, Offset, and Operating Mode.
• The Name for the channel can be edited. The Name is what you see to identify the function of this channel.
• Notice in this file that the necessary DStar commands (i.e., Your Callsign, RPT 1 and RPT 2) are completed automatically. No need to count spaces and wonder if commands are created correctly. All that is done for you.
• Use Communications | Send data to Radio to transfer these details in your radio.

D-STAR Calculator for DR Memories

The DR Memories list that came in the radio may be out-of-date or contain repeates that you will never use. DR Memories repeaters can be used as your "To" selection as if routing to that repeater. However, in most cases, this list is used with the Your Callsign list to give you access to any reflector at any time. And, just as in the memory channels, you must be able to hit the repeater to use it...so why have lots of repeaters adding extra work for finding the one you want to use.

Use the DStar Calculator from the DR Memories screen to update and customize this list for your use. The information in the RT Systems programmer is up-to-date within about 3 months. Be sure to do Help | Check for Updates to get the updated DStar repeater information.

Always remember that you can get the complete list in a new RT Systems programming file.

Open the DStar Calculator
for the DR Memories

Open DR Memories tab - Click on DR Memories tab at the bottom of the programmer screen.

Open the DStar Calculator - Select DStar Calculator under the DStar option in the Menu at the top of the programmer.

Calculator Options

This Dstar calculator looks very different from the one used by the Memory Channels. DR Memories only need repeaters to complete an entry.

• Repeaters worldwide are included.
• Lattitude and Longitude are included and will be completed in the DR Memories automatically.
• Select a Region, then a state or city, then the repeater you want to include using the check boxes.

Starting Channel Number - This is the channel number on the DR Memories screen where the entries will be written. The selections here will overwrite an entry on the screen.If you are building a special list, adjust this number to a specific line. Remember, your selections will continue over any entries you left on the screen. This is not an insert process.

Use Callsign for channel name - With this option checked, the callsign of the repeater will appear in the name field for the channel.

Apply as Group Shown - On the radio, the DR Memories are divided into Groups to make it easier for you to find a repeater.

• The defaults will append the selected channels to a Group with the same name as that shown in the tree at the left. If the Group name does not exist, a new Group will be created.
• Unchecking the "Apply as Group Shown" gives you the ability to add your selections to an existing group that is selected from the drop-down immediately following the "Apply to this group:" header. Remember, all the selected repeaters will be added to the Group you select when using this option.

Set for Repeater Use - Checked by default. Best to leave checked to be sure you can use this repeater when near it.

Using DStar

Once you have you callsign entered, the channels set up in Memory or DR memories, you are ready to get on the air to have fun and meet new friends through DStar communications. Be sure you have:

• Registered your callsign at D-Star Callsign Registration
• See instructions for the registration process Instructions for D-Star Callsign Registration Process
• First listen on the "T" channel to be sure the frequency is not in use.
• Then use your "E" Echo channel. Key up. Give you callsign and say you're testing. If the system responds in your voice, you are ready to use this repeater or hotspot.
• Then use a channel to Link to a Reflector. REF030C or REF001C are ones that are usually active. You can choose any one to give a call on to see if someone is waiting to talk. The system will announce back to you that the repeater/hotspot is linked.
• Once you have verbal confirmation from the system that the repeater or hotspot is linked, turn to your "T" Talk channel to call for anyone listening.

You'll be on the air in no time making new friends from all over the world.