Re-read the post: D-STAR RELIABILITY! So don't get your nose all out of joint Nate. Simple question about the reliability of D-Star as I am still one of those that are not convinced that Digital is the way to go, eg...Cell phones are digital and now we have radio that is digital. Soon there will be television that will not be analog anymore.
Sure digital takes up less band space but still there is nothing like an analog signal because with analog you get no R2D2. And yes I do want to pick on D-Star a bit because it is an issue with which mode do I choose to save a life. I have a D-Star radio, as a matter of fact I have 2, I also had a Dongle. When my Icom is connected to an 8db gain antenna I still hear R2D2. Just as much as when I had the 91AD. Sort of get tired of saying, "What?" At the very least with the analog signal you can catch some of the conversation. Ah the infamous Dongle, was more trouble then it was worth. Got a fast connection, but it kept timing out. Tried it on 2 or 3 puters and poop....Not a means of reliability although when I was in Hawaii it worked quite well. But the local D-Star repeater on G1 couldn't make it through the gateway to the G2 that was at my home area. Rendered the 91AD useless for D-Star to talk home. So the question is reliablity. Like I said, I am on the fence but have found it necessary to have a D-Star radio because it is another mode that could be used. But what do I know, probably nothing at all as I am new to ham radio. 73 de N1TAI
