D-Star Reflector Linking

The purpose of this training aid is to help you understand linking and unlinking D-Star Reflectors.

Click Here for a Pre-Quiz Click Here to Return Home Click Here for Final Quiz

Assumptions
Programming refresher
What are D-Star Reflectors?
Who sets up Reflector Linking?
Auto-Linking D-Star Reflectors
The key to using linked connections
User-Linking D-Star Reflectors
Cautions when linking to a D-Star Reflector
Specific training for local (KE5RCS) users
How to know if it is linked
Appendix A – ICOM ID-880H programming header
Appendix B - Links
Appendix C - Linking Calculator
Disclaimer

Assumptions

This training aid article assumes you have a D-STAR radio and you know how to use the PC program software or radio button entries to program it.

If not you can still learn a lot about D-STAR Reflectors here but may need someone to help you program your radio. Programming all of your choices into memory locations for the repeaters and Reflectors can be very time consuming and tedious. See Appendix A.

Programming refresher

(Back to Top)

If you’ve managed to program your D-STAR radio already you should be familiar with the format of programming the four key fields, MYCALL, URCALL, RPT1 and RPT2. Programming a D-Star radio requires these fields to be programmed either by manual entry for each use or stored in memory for recall.

You might think of these fields like an "address label" on a package to be shipped to another location.

(MYCALL) is the callsign of the station you are using. This will be your callsign in most cases. This is the “From:” address.

(URCALL) is the callsign of the recipient station and can be one of four things. This is the “To:” address.

1. CQCQCQ

2. The callsign of an individual station you are contacting.

3. The callsign of a D-Star repeater you are contacting

4. The Reflector you are linking

(RPT1) is the D-Star repeater you are using when not in the simplex mode. This will, in most cases, be the closest repeater to your location. This is like the carrier "drop box"; USPS, UPS, FedEx etc.

(RPT2) is the D-Star Gateway to the Internet. This is how a long distance package is sent. It is similar to using “Overnight” or “Airmail” (no pun intended).

Note: The examples used in this lesson are for those registered with the KE5RCS D-Star repeaters in Walburg, TX. If you are in some other area of the country please adjust the callsigns accordingly.

What are D-Star Reflectors?

(Back to Top)

The D-Star Reflectors are a means to set up a conference bridge for D-Star Users. They allow multiple D-Star repeaters and DV Dongle users, from all around the world, to be joined together in one big conference call and whatever information is transmitted from one of the users is repeated across all of the connected repeaters that are linked to the Reflector; a true worldwide conference call. Everyone connected will be part of the conversation; well at least be able to listen in.

There was a World Wide Net set up and the objective was to see how many D-STAR Nodes and DV Dongle Users could connect to a D-STAR Reflector and to gauge what sort of capacity it could take. There were 28 D-STAR Nodes (repeaters) and 18 DV Dongle users connected. The system performed perfectly, and no performance issues were noted.

Who sets up Reflector Linking?

(Back to Top)

It can be automatically enabled by the local software or by the Amateur Radio Operator. The local administrator of the D-STAR Gateway is responsible for the programming and management of the D-Star system and is directed by the owner’s policies for the repeater stack and gateway.

There are many local policies in place at the various locations around the world but in general you may or may not have permission to link to a D-Star Reflector. Some repeater owners will have auto-linking or unlinking set by their policy base on the local needs. It is solely the option of the local repeater owners. However, the Reflectors are there to be used so they will accept all valid links.

Auto-Linking D-Star Reflectors

(Back to Top))

Auto-linking is where the local administrator has set up parameters within the DPLUS software located on the Gateway computer to monitor connections and act accordingly. This includes auto-link, unlink, and prohibit linking.

Note: While some repeater administrators will NOT enable user control of linking to the Reflectors, as of 9/01/2011, HOTERA has this following policy in effect for the KE5RCS D-Star repeaters.

KE5RCS D-Star A-B-C, Walburg, TX

Module (A) 23cm will not be auto-linked to any Reflector and will be primarily used for local testing and EmComm use.

Module (B) 70cm will be auto-linked to Reflector 4B all the time (27/7) and will be re-linked when it has been idle for 15 minutes if someone has unlinked it. This is the Texas Permalink Repeaters Reflector.

Module (C) 2m will not be auto-linked to any Reflector and will be disconnected from any Reflector after 15 minutes of non-use if someone forgets to unlink it. Common courtesy asks that if you link it, please unlink it when done.

Here in Texas when you are traveling any place outside of this local coverage area (Georgetown) with your D-Star radio or DV Dongle, and you have access to a repeater that is auto-linked to Reflector 4B, you can contact someone in your home area that has a D-Star device also connected to Reflector 4B.

If you have permission on the accessible repeater that is not linked where you are traveling, you can link it to Reflector REF004B and have communications back “home”. Be sure to unlink when finished.

While you are away (to anywhere in the world), ask your local friends and family to listen on KE5RCS Module B or Reflector 4B for your CQ.

The key to using linked connections

(Back to Top)

All users need to remember in order to make D-STAR Reflector access work the fields must be correct especially the RPT2 field has to include a G suffix in the 8th position.

Example for local users on KE5RCS B to talk on Reflector 4B:

MYCALL: K1LGJ

URCALL: CQCQCQ

RPT1: KE5RCS B

RPT2: KE5RCS G

The above is the normal operation for wide area communications in Texas since the Reflector 004B is auto-linked.

This is the standard for working with the KE5RCS D-Star repeater linked to the Texas Permalink Repeaters Reflector. Remember you might turn on your radio and not realize that you are connected up to a D-STAR Reflector, do not be surprised if you get a reply that you weren't expecting. You will be heard by all RF stations connected to the D-STAR Reflector and by all stations connected to the linked D-STAR Reflector via a DV Dongle.

User-Linking D-Star Reflectors

(Back to Top)

(See your manual for the actual steps to take on how to program your radio’s memories)

To Link:

This will work any place you are able to access a D-Star repeater. Do not attempt while driving.

Linking a local D-Star repeater to a D-STAR Reflector requires four pieces of information in addition to your callsign and Gateway access settings.

1. The callsign of the local repeater – for example we will use KE5RCS

2. The local module to link to a Reflector – for example we will use (C)

3. The identification of the Reflector – for example we will use REF001

4. The module of the Reflector being linked – for example we will use (C)

Goal: Link to REF001 C from KE5RCS C

MYCALL: K1LGJ

URCALL: REF001CL (make sure C is in position 7 & L is in position 8)

RPT1: KE5RCS C

RPT2: KE5RCS G

The L in URCALL is what tells the software that this is a linking operation. By pressing PTT this links your D-STAR Node to D-STAR Reflector #001, Module C.

Substituting the C (REF001CL) with an A or B changes modules. And if you substitute the 001 with another number you can change to a different Reflector.

After your conversation is completed you should (by courtesy) unlink from the Reflector.

To Unlink:

This will work any place you are able to access a D-Star repeater. Do not attempt while driving.

Un-linking a local D-Star repeater from a D-STAR Reflector requires two pieces of information.

1. The callsign of the local repeater – for example we will use KE5RCS

2. The local module to unlink from a Reflector – for example we will use module (C)

MYCALL: K1LGJ

URCALL: *******U

Make sure the * are 7 spaces & the U is in the 8^th position.

RPT1: KE5RCS C

RPT2: KE5RCS G

This unlinks the KE5RCS D-STAR repeater module (C) from the Reflector. So you only need one memory location (per module) in your radio to unlink any D-STAR Reflector that’s connected.

Cautions when linking to a D-Star Reflector

(Back to Top)

Having a D-STAR repeater linked to a D-STAR Reflector will and does impact all the local stations connecting to your local D-STAR repeater.

If the D-STAR repeater is linked to a D-STAR Reflector and there is a local call in progress via the repeater, the conversation will be heard on all linked D-STAR repeaters via the D-STAR Reflector.

DV Dongle users who directly connect to the D-STAR repeater via the D-STAR Gateway will be heard by users on the repeater but not the Reflectors.

You should ask the DV Dongle users to connect directly to the D-STAR Reflector; this will enable all users that may be monitoring to hear both sides of the conversation. It’s quite frustrating to listen to only one side of a conversation. Similarly, please make sure that all users on RF have set their RPT2 set to their local Gateway.

Specific training for local users

(Back to Top)

If you plan to regularly use multiple D-STAR Reflectors (one at a time) it is suggested that you input all the D-STAR Reflectors you will use (including the modules) into your radio’s memories, so all you need to do is dial it up and link to the desired D-STAR Reflector/Module.

Sounds easy but consider this. Each memory location is used to store the settings for a single Reflector/Module combination from a certain repeater/module combination that you can access from your current location.

Let’s look at the details:

Scenario 1 – Having access to the Southeastern US D-Star Weather Net

You would like to link to the D-Star Reflector 002 on module (A), by selecting a memory location while accessing your local D-Star repeater’s module (C), have a QSO and then unlink the Reflector.

This would take 3 memory channels.

1 Reflector x 1 module x 1 repeater x 1 module = 1 entry for linking the Reflector and then you need 1 entry for your “talk” channel and 1 more to unlink from the Reflector.

1 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: REF002AL RPT1: KE5RCS C RPT2: KE5RCS G

2 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: CQCQCQ RPT1: KE5RCS C RPT2: KE5RCS G

3 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: U RPT1: KE5RCS C RPT2: KE5RCS G

Scenario 2 - Complex

You need options to link to two different Reflectors, using their module (B) and be able to access either of them from two different repeaters in the area on the selected local repeater’s module (C). This can be done by selecting a memory location to recall the settings, depending on where you are driving at the time.

This requires 8 memory channels.

2 Reflectors x 1 module x 2 repeaters x 1 module = 4 different entries for the Reflectors and then you need 2 entries for your “talk” channels (one for each repeater) and 2 more to unlink the accessed Reflectors.

1 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: REF001CL RPT1: KE5RCS C RPT2: KE5RCS G

2 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: REF001CL RPT1: K5CTX C RPT2: K5CTX G

3 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: REF004BL RPT1: KE5RCS C RPT2: KE5RCS G

4 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: REF004BL RPT1: K5CTX C RPT2: K5CTX G

5 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: CQCQCQ RPT1: KE5RCS C RPT2: KE5RCS G

6 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: CQCQCQ RPT1: K5CTX C RPT2: KE5RCS G

7 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: U RPT1: KE5RCS C RPT2: KE5RCS G

8 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: U RPT1: K5CTX C RPT2: KE5RCS G

Scenario 3 – Very Complex

A more complex program is the options of linking to any of three different Reflectors with each having two active modules (B & C). And there is a need to link from any of four different repeaters depending on where you are driving at the time and use either module B or C from the repeater.

This requires 64 memory channels.

3 Reflectors x 2 modules x 4 repeaters x 2 modules = 48 different entries for linking Reflectors and then you still need 8 entries for your “talk” frequency (4 repeaters x 2 modules) and 8 entries to unlink from the linked Reflectors.

Scenario 4 – Do you really need it?

OK, since you are a constant traveler in the great state of Texas, you are ready to program all the Texas D-Star repeaters and modules to 5 or more of your favorite D-Star Reflectors and their modules – whew!! Just the math is boggling.

I believe it is best to put a few local connections in memory and leave the rest to “on the fly” programming when needed. This is why you should practice linking and unlinking Reflectors from your radio or mic buttons.

The other option is to program your radio ahead of time before going on a trip.

How to know if it is linked

(Back to Top))

Even though D-STAR is radio memory hungry, once you have set up all the memories in your radio (that you care to), select the memory location of the desired D-STAR Reflector and module you want to link to from your location and press the PTT button for 2 seconds and release.

You will hear a voice announcement saying “Remote System Linked” to indicate you've been successful. Or if you are unlinking the massage will say “Remote System Unlinked”.

A local repeater can be linked to three Reflector/modules all at the same time using each of the local modules A, B and C. Of course the three modules must be present and active.

Note: You cannot have 2 D-Star repeater/modules on different ports (A, B or C) from the same location, linked to the same D-Star Reflector on a single Port at the same time.

KE5RCS B and KE5RCS C cannot be linked to REF003 B at the same time.

Very important for good radio manners!

Once you have linked or unlinked a D-STAR Reflector, do not stay on that memory setting as it is only used to link or unlink the D-STAR Reflector.

If you stay on this memory setting, every time you press the PTT you will hear a message “Link Currently Established” or “Remote System Unlinked”. This can become annoying during a conversation

To transmit once the Reflector is linked, be sure to go to whichever memory setting you have set for communications on that repeater and module. In our example it is KE5RCS C and ensuring that RPT2 has KE5RCS G set, the URCALL field can be set to CQCQCQ.

This sequence below shows the correctly managed steps to a good QSO via a Reflector.

· Current Local conversation

M101 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: CQCQCQ RPT1: KE5RCS C RPT2: KE5RCS G

PTT

M101 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: CQCQCQ RPT1: KE5RCS C RPT2: KE5RCS G

PTT

· Linking to a Reflector

M100 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: REF001CL RPT1: KE5RCS C RPT2: KE5RCS G

PTT

“Remote System Linked”

· Linked conversation

M101 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: CQCQCQ RPT1: KE5RCS C RPT2: KE5RCS G

PTT

· Unlinking

M102 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: U RPT1: KE5RCS C RPT2: KE5RCS G

“Remote System Unlinked”

· Back to local communications

M101 MYCALL: K1LGJ URCALL: CQCQCQ RPT1: KE5RCS C RPT2: KE5RCS G

PTT

Notice three different memory locations (M100, M101 and M102) where used in the above sequence.

Appendix A

(Back to Top)

Be prepared for a lot of data entry when setting up you memory locations.

This screen below is for the ICOM ID-880H. Your radio programming screen may be different but the concept is the same.

The figure (above) shows the memory channels starting at #100 and this is where I choose to enter the programming data. Notice it has both FM settings for regular radio use and the additional D-Star settings.

Just programming the UR, RPT1 and RPT2 is not enough. The local frequencies and relative information is also needed so you can transmit and receive the communications. You will need to know the frequency for every repeater/module you plan to use.

Appendix B

(Back to Top)