Mike, Here is a pretty good D-PLUS linking primer: http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=4&q=http://www.ukit.org.uk/documents/UKIT_dplus_Reflector_User_Guide_V1_1.pdf (substitute your local repeater/gateway callsign where appropriate) -- using the calculator at http://www.dstarinfo.com/Calculator/Default.htm will give you a quick way to calculate what needs setup.
Different gateway operators have different policies on establishing links, some allow users to do so (via configuration) or restrict it to authorized control operators. Check with the local gateway to see if user linking is permitted. D-PLUS linking is the closest to what you are familiar with, if you have used IRLP or Echolink. Callsign routing is the native D-STAR method of routing. It is unlike the "links" you are familiar with. Under callsign routing, either to an individual station or repeater module, there is no link. Each transmission is routed exclusively between the local gateway and the remote user or repeater and it does not create a "tunnel" for any other transmissions at the two endpoints. (If you are familiar with computer networking it is more like UDP - point-to-point with no context or guarantee of delivery). Remember, this is all data to the system, there is no "audio" it is just determining which routing method works best for the type of communication you are attempting. Another option is to use the DV Dongle (http://www.dvdongle.com) which uses the D-PLUS infrastructure to listen and talk on the D-STAR system using a computer. I sometimes set the DV Dongle up to monitor a reflector or gateway while I am working on the computer. Also, when you are at a computer, it is very easy to find out who is on what repeater at http://www.dstarusers.org/ - you can see what's happening on reflectors using the websites of the form http://ref001.dstargateway.org/ (replace ref001 with the reflector of choice), this also works for some gateways, i.e. http://w4doc.dstargateway.org/ All of this will be modified when the OPENDstar platform is ready: http://opendstar.org/design/ You might also want to visit: http://www.d-star-icc.org On Mar 6, 2009, at 7:51 AM, ipscone wrote: > My question was: How is this done? It's not always on and I'd like > to be able to turn them on. Perhaps that's not something that > general users of a system have access to but I would still like to > understand how it's done. > > Also, is DPlus required or can these reflectors be listened to, > without DPlus. > > Again, what about just listening to traffic on a distant repeater > (not a reflector). Is that possible? > > It seems that "listening" is very important part of ham radio. > That's often how one finds someone to make contatct with. So far, > all I have learned is local communications using a DV repeater and > trying to use routed calls. Neither of which justifies use of D-Star. > > Is there a way, for general users of a DV Repeater to turn on > distant repeaters (to listen) or reflectors, similar as is done with > IRLP (similar meaning the way they are used; not necessarily > controlled). > > Mike > KC7VE > > > John Hays Amateur Radio: K7VE [email protected] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
