[Dstar] auto-switch

[Steve S. Bosshard (NU5D)]

There are today tests in progress on a product that allows DSTAR access
via your home computer and the internet, without a radio.  Some features
include being able to monitor communications on a distant repeater (fly
on the wall) and it should also be easy to interface from your sound
card to a local VHF / UHF radio not necessarily using DSTAR.

You would gain connectivity.  You would loose the noise free digital
quality and loudness control present in the DSTAR format, as well as the
ability to to control the call sign routing in the DSTAR radio from the
disparate radio sytem.

Unless there are distinct coverage advantages I would recommend the
DSTAR folks move to the analog system.   If the DSTAR system has a
coverage advantage, then use it, and perhaps on a very much controlled
and limited basis, join the two, understanding the non-dstar radios
cannot control the dstar functions, etc.

Also in an emergency, it may be better to disconnect from the internet
because with present gateway software you cannot control incoming
connections / calls to your system.  I can imagine in California during
the recent fires, that incoming "how are you doing?" traffic could be
disruptive.  I suspect future gateway products will have many more
features that this first generation offers.  Things are happening very
quickly.

Best 73 and wishing you well from the US,

Steve NU5D


Alan Wills wrote:
> But should we not interface D-Star with existing analogue voice,
> packet and APRS systems?
> Why should we start over when we can add to what we already have?
>  
> Alan VK4YAR