MB6NC has Voice Announcements
The DSTAR system provides a new capability and functionality to the ham radio world and increases the efficiency of emergency communications.
DSTAR (Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio) was originally developed as the result of research by the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL)to investigate digital technologies for Amateur Radio. Although the D-Star protocol is 'open source' and specifications available to anyone, there is currently only one equipment manufacturer that has begun manufacturing and distributing DStar capable radios and repeaters, and that is ICOM.
The DSTAR system supports two types of digital data streams. The Digital Voice (DV) stream used on 144 and 440 MHz contains both digitized voice and digital data. Using a DV radio is like having both a packet link and FM voice operating simultaneously. The Digital Data (DD) stream that is used only on 1.2 GHz, is entirely data with a bit rate of 128k bps.
For voice conversations, DSTAR repeaters act just like familiar analog repeaters – everyone listening can hear your transmissions. Because your call sign is digitally incorporated into every transmission, the D-STAR repeater “registers” your call sign and shares it around the DSTAR system.
If you travel into a new DSTAR repeater’s coverage area, your location will be quickly updated around the DSTAR network on your first transmission in that area. This allows you to call someone registered with any other DSTAR repeater, no matter where that may be. If you call someone registered elsewhere, your voice will be routed to the appropriate repeater in digital form, where it is then heard just as you would expect if you were both using the same repeater!
The system today is capable of linking repeaters together locally and through the Internet utilizing callsigns for routing of traffic. Servers can be linked using proprietary 'Gateway' software, available from Icom, along with some freeware software such as "dplus", developed by AA4RC, which includes the ability to link to "reflectors" similar to IRLP or Echolink reflectors. This allows Amateur Radio DStar operators to talk to any other D-Star Amateurs worldwide participating in a particular gateway .
Another important aspect of DSTAR technology is its ability to send large quantities of data to emergency responders in the event of a disaster. Served agencies can instantly relate to sending 'email' or a 'word files' to someone. The data sent can be high-volume, where traditional amateur radio 'modes' are capable of getting a message through albeit slowly, D-STAR can place documents into the hands of those that need them most - fast image, text and document data exchanges
Dstar Links
REF002 Dashboard
Dstar Calculator
Southeastern Dstar Weather Net
Dstar Information
Reflectors Status
Dstar Solutions
Dstar Repeater Directory
Dstar Gateway Status
Dstar Programs Download
Using DV Access Point Dongle
D-Star Gateway Registration Check
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