I listen a lot on D*STAR and actually hear many calls go unanswered. In reality I want to respond but at the same time don't want to appear to be hogging the system always being the one to join in for a quick conversation.
I too know quite a few local hams that have D*STAR radios but have never used them and I must assume it's due to their complexity. Someone is going to have to step up to the plate and start educating these users on the how too's to operate. I have been learning by trial and error. I think more error than trial. Just ask Nate about the night we were chatting and Philadelphia PA jumped in to remind me I was still linked to their repeater. I didn't know I had to clear a call from someone I had chatted with earlier in the day. I love this technology and think we've only scratched the surface of its potential. During the Democratic National Convention I was programming radio's here in Denver left and right so new users could at least get on the air with their radio's for the first time. Although they didn't get much use at the time it became apparent how useful D*STAR would be to an organization like the Salvation Army. Operators are often deployed throughout the region or even between regions. Having call sign routing of individuals which travel makes it easy for their logistics communications especially for support of major operations. When sharing out your .icf files just make sure you tell others to change the MY CALL sign entry or you may be hearing yourself often! Not to mention we still have an RG8U that pops up around Denver now and then. I have spent more time learning about my ICOM 92AD than any other radio I've owned. I think I can navigate through just about everything except the GPS functions. guess they are next. But its interesting to hear you guys ask questions about the other radios. Maybe one day I too will have a mobile radio. Until then I can only learn about them and help others program their radios. If I can talk our local D*STAR guru Nate into bringing his software to work one day I am going to meet up with him and change his name from LJ back to Nate! 73 Barry KA0BBQ
