Kinda like comparing a word processor to a typewritter, complete with system crashes and lost files. I would have to say the typewritter is the more reliable of the two if the only purpose is to commit text to paper. Add embedded position reporting, D'Star Chat and D-RATS along with selective calling features and there is some real power in DSTAR. Yep, the 1.2 Ghz data is slow - but much faster than dead air..
Range seems pretty much equal between FM and DSTAR except the trade between loss of sync (r2d2) v white noise and static - and some stations whispering and others shouting in FM where the voice is much more consistent in DSTAR. Next add the internet. Some (by no means all) FM repeaters have internet access via a home station removed from the repeater location. Plenty of opportunity for doubling there and the static and noise from FM is digitized and transported all over before being converted back to analog, where DSTAR is fully digital from the time it leaves the transmitting station until the data is converted back to voice. So, will DSTAR work better than ? The real question is what is "better". (don't you miss hearing that bell every time you have to slam the carriage return)? Wishing all a pleasant Sunday, steve nu5d
