John, Thanks for the detailed response. I read it twice to make sure I did not miss anything. Too bad the DVAP does not have the AMBE technology. I would think a DVAP + DV-Dongle type product would be real usefull. Something that would allow a ham to use a VHF/UHF radio they already have as a simple "FM wireless Link" to a DV-Dongle. That would allow the Hams on limited budgets to get into digital and still use a radio. I would think it would need to decode CTCSS or PL Tones and tune to a number of Simpley frequencies. When I have mentioned that I was going to try D-STAR many of the Hams I know were very negative about it.... "It's not ham radio if you can't make it yourself" and so on.... but I then asked them when was the last time they built a full featured dual band radio that fits in their hand? Then they through the cost thing at me, which I agree in this economy is a little pricy, but so is any new piece of radio gear.
You mentioned the Reflectors, ie: REF014C, I still have some reading and learning to do here. I understand the principles of linking to other repeters and networking (in my day job I work with high speed serial optical/copper networking and protocol conversion) but I don't know how to do it and what is acceptable to do on the repeaters. Guess I need to spend more time listening to the repeters to see what goes on. Anyway, thanks for your email - it helped me learn more about D-STAR. Will - N7IPY
