D-Star Information Release
October 10, 2007
Amateur Electronic Supply (AES) of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Repeater Association (HXO) have teamed up to bring D-Star to Las Vegas hams.
What is D-Star? “D-Star” stands for Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio. It is a recently developed ham radio capability that offers both digital voice and data communication when using specifically designed equipment. Through D-Star it is possible to have very reliable local communications and to connect certain repeater sites over microwave links and/or the Internet and to form a wide area ham radio network that reaches outside of our regular local coverage. Working through a D-Star repeater is a bit different than using an analog repeater though the basic "repeater" concept is the same. For example, your call sign is the key to a D-Star system since it's incorporated into every transmission you make. This means that you can make ‘call-sign’ specific calls to stations anywhere within the ‘network’. Further, since a D-Star voice signal occupies only 6.25 kHz, there is potential to make more efficient use of available spectrum on the otherwise crowded VHF and UHF bands by squeezing up to four D-Star repeaters into the same space as two analog repeaters. While this new technology is growing in popularity, it has not been widely-embraced by the local hams due to lack of repeater-based infrastructure.
What is being done? Through the generosity of the above-named two organizations, equipment and access is being provided that will make D-Star a reality in the Las Vegas valley. The team feels that combining resources will give the greatest exposure of local hams to this new technology. By making the repeaters ‘open’, all those with D-Star compatible equipment will benefit from access to this sophisticated repeater system.
We anticipate that this system will have full crossband capability between 2 meters, 70 centimeters, and 1.2GHz. This means that you will be able to converse with someone on any of these bands, from any of these bands. The repeaters will be co-located at a desirable site to be announced at a later date.
Will you need special equipment? Yes. Since this is a digital format, only those radios compatible with D-Star will be able to operate on these open repeaters.
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