Kris Kirby wrote: >> Also correct me if I am wrong there is no way to turn off the dstar >> system as in remote control? Maybe on the newer systems there might >> be. I have also not heard a good sounding D system yet. Just my opnion > > I am not familiar with the ICOM products enough to be able to answer > that question -- I would think it unwise to throw that into the > conversation without having a supporting reason. I will relate this: I > have seen numerous commercial stations and repeaters that did not > implement a remote control facility for allowing a control operator to > shut the repeater down.
Agree with Kris, that it's not the point of the conversation, but for the information and edification of those reading along, you're correct... there is not any on-air "command and control" functionality built into the D-STAR repeaters or controller. We're building an out-of-band control system for ours, so we can maintain legal control. The official answer from an Icom rep (rolling eyes) was that pulling the power plug by hand is "just fine" according to the FCC. Might work where he lives, where the repeater's not at the end of a 4WD road covered in 6' of snow for 3 months out of the year, but won't work around here. Thus... as the trustees of the system, we must come up with our own control system, just like an analog system would need. Nate WY0X
