[Dstar] RE: Dstar Digest, Vol 13, Issue 6

[Horst Leykam]

Stephen ZL1TPH wrote:

"It is my understanding that D-Star primary purpose is for data transfer
(not voice as a primary communication tool) as used in emergency situations
close in. 
B 
That is D-Star radio (via PC) to the local D-Star repeater and to promulgate
via nodes to other users (via the internet) and to local / remote amateur
emergency co-ordinators. B"

This is incorrect, Stephen. DSTAR is primarily a digital voice mode, the DV
mode is also able to carry data simultanously. DD mode is a dedicated data
mode which is ONLY available on 23cm.
The data channel in DV is of very limited use as it has no handshaking or
error recovery. To suggest, as Icom does in their "blurb" ("even the low
speed data in DSTAR is competitive with packet") is a gross distortion.
It is in NO WAY competitive with packet as it cannot be used for any serious
data transfer.
Having said that, there are some nice linking features in DSTAR that, in the
event of a major disaster where normal comms fail will also fail because it
relies on infrastructure that is likely to be unavailable when government
emergency services are also struggling.... Once the net is down, so is
linked DSTAR.. However ye olde analogue repeater on top of that hill powered
by a solar panel will still be going......

Cheers
Horst, VK2HL