TFMCS has entered the latest age of Ham Radio communications with the addition of our first D-STAR repeater on 443.225 +.  That funny noise you hear is not anything wrong with your FM radio, but the data (or digital voice, also known as DV) coming from the D-STAR repeater. 
 
We choose to install this repeater on our channel 5 frequency as a initial test.  At the moment, the D-STAR repeater is not available on the link system, but we are researching ways to do that.  However, we have the D-STAR gateway installed and you are able to connect to others all over the world.  Much like IRLP, but with more options.  
 
You can google D-STAR repeater and see all the exciting things that are happening.  Start with ICOM at http://www.icomcanada.com/dstar/dstar2.htm.  There is also a Wiki at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-STAR.

If you got this far, you'll need to register your callsign with the D-Star system.  Start with VE3RPT registration site. 

Please, only register with ONE site world wide.  Registering with other sites will only cause possilbe problems with your callsign.  Follow the sample from this DSTAR site.  You can ignore the security warnings on the certificate. 

Once you have registered and I have authorized you (should take less than a day), you'll need to enter all your DStar radios to allow you to proper access.  As an example, you can have URCALL M (for mobile), URCALL H for handheld, etc.  Again, if you have problems, email me (VA3MW), not Robin as in the example web page. :)

 
At the moment, you can use 443.225 + as a normal repeater.  With D-STAR radios with a GPS installed, you can see how far other hams are away from you.  Since your callsign is embedded in your radio, each transmission has your callsign associated with it.
 
I will keep this short, but if you want to join us on D-STAR, TFMCS needs your help.  Radio World was very instrumental in helping to fund our D-STAR repeater.  All we ask is that support Radio World and during your purchase, make it clear you are associated with TFMCS.  Please also email me at va3mw@tfmcs.com and let me know which radio you bought. 
Our VHF D-Star repeater (VE3RPTB) is now up and running on 145.25 with a -0.600mhz offset.

Program your radio for the following settings:

For local rag chewing:

mycall:  -- you can figure this out, right?  Your callsign

RPT1: VE3RPTB (for UHF)

or

RPT1: VE3RPTC (for VHF)

RPT2: don't use or no call

UR:  CQCQCQ

For the rest of the world.  You will use this mode to talk to people outside of our local repeater.  This includes the reflectors, or calling someone via their callsign to some other part of the world.

All you do is change the RPT2: above to VE3RPTG (the G stands for gateway).  Once you do that, your traffic (ie: voice) is routed or sent to the D-Star gateways and the rest of the world.

If you want to see the latest status of who is connected, you can click here.  You will have to accept the certificate warning and set it as an exception.

Michael Walker VA3MW
va3mw at tfmcs.com

There are some neat tools that may playing with D-STAR easier, follow these links to check them out:

Use the Lastheard report to see where the activity is on the D-STAR network (http://www.dstarusers.org:80/lastheard.php) or the TFM status page.

Want a hand configuring your radio to talk to someone? Try out the D-STAR Web Calculator (http://www.dstarinfo.com/Calculator/DSTAR%20Web%20Calculator.aspx).
 
Join the Southern Ontario D-STAR Users Group mailing list to follow the discussions: http://portcredit.net/mailman/listinfo/dstar-ve3_portcredit.net

Please buy from Radio World and mention that you will be using it on VE3RPT with TFMCS!!! Also, send an email to TFMCS to let us know what you bought.

VE3RPT APRS Digipeater equipment {Click here to see it}

Last updated by VA3MW April 11, 2009