[Dstar] Australian D-Star Network News

Thu Feb 11 20:37:48 CST 2010

Richard Hoskin wrote:
>
> G'day,
>
> Here is the latest News for the Australian National D-Star Network.
>
> *_Repeater Announcements_*
>
> _ _
>
> The 4 second announcements on the majority of the WIA D-Star repeaters 
> has been reduced from ½ hourly to hourly.
>
> This has been done to reduce the confusion the announcements were 
> having on some operators when they work working remote stations.
>
> REMEMBER - It is good manners, good operator practice and still 
> important for all D-Star operators to leave a 4 second brake between 
> overs.
>
> The 4 second *brake (break)* is essential to
>
> -- allow the local repeater to radio hand shaking
>
> -- to allow for audio delays for remotely linked repeaters and DV-Dongles
>
> -- to provide dead air time so that remote operators can join in on 
> local conversations.
>
> I've receive a number of comments from overseas D-Star operators 
> complaining that they can not access a VK repeater  as the local VK 
> operators were not leaving breaks between overs.
>
> *_New D-Star repeater for Australia_*
>
> VK3RNP is now on air in Geelong.
>
> It is operating on 438.175 Mhz with a -5,4 Mhz offset. The repeater is 
> currently standalone however Nik VK3BA, the repeaters owner has plans 
> to add a Gateway to the system in the near future.
>
> The repeater has a coverage area of approximately 50Kms and is located 
> at VK3BAs QTH. Nik is experimenting with new ways to increase VK3RNP's 
> coverage area.
>
> Well done Nik and thanks for supporting Amateur radio!
>
> For more information on VK3RNP visit http://www.qrz.com/callsign/VK3BA
>
> *_VK4RBX Gateway Installed._*
>
> _ _
>
> The Ipswich D-Star repeater VK4RBX is now Gateway enabled.  A 60Km 
> WiFi network was built to provide broadband to the repeater site. 
> Thanks to Rob VK4HW, the repeaters own for all the hard work he has 
> done to support Amateur Radio. The investment Rob has made in D-Star 
> has added up to hundreds of hour of work and over $5000 of equipment.
>
> _ _
>
> *_VK4RWN Maintenance Update_*
>
> The VK4RWN (Gold Coast) D-Star repeater's 70cm and 23cm DV modules are 
> off air. Commercial work at the site has caused antenna issues for 
> these repeaters.
>
> There is currently a fault with the 2mtr antenna at the site so a 
> temporary 2mtr antenna is being used. This may result in reduced 
> repeater coverage.
>
> *_Repeater Linking for Nets_*
>
> *_ _*
>
> It has been decide collectively by the VK D-Star repeater 
> administrators that automatic linking of repeaters for nets will no 
> longer be implemented.
>
> With the implementation of operator controlled Linking and Unlinking 
> of all repeater Ports, it will now be up to individual operators to 
> Link repeaters when they wish the participate in a net.
>
> To lean how to use Linking see the documentation at www.dstar.org.au 
> <http://www.dstar.org.au/>
>
> *_ _*
>
> *_Australian D-Star Reflectors_*
>
> Australia has 2 D-Star reflectors available for use.
>
> Reflectors allow multiple repeaters to connect to one central system 
> that allows operators on all connected repeaters to 'hear' each other.
>
> The two Australian Reflectors are REF003 and REF023. Each reflector 
> has 3 Ports, A, B & C below is an explanation of each ports use.
>
> REF003A  Ad-hock & Emergency Use - Australia.
>
> REF003B  Default Link for Repeaters, including all WIA Port B 
> Repeaters -- Australia
>
> REF003C  Australian Nets. & VK3 Port Cs Default Link
>
> REF023 A - Experimental, all Gateways, Dongles and Hotspots welcome.  
> Non D-STAR devices may be connected, only with prior permission on a 
> case by case basis.
>
> REF023 B - General Use, all Gateways,  Dongles and Hotspots welcome.
>
> REF023 C -- VK4 Port Cs  Default Link & General Use,
>
> *_ _*
>
> *_D-Star Repeater Status Summary_*
>
> VK2RAG -- Operational
>
> VK2RDS -- Operational on all bands except 23cm DD.
>
> -- 2mtrs Port C running on reduced power
>
> VK2RWN -- Operational on all bands except 23cm DD & DV.
>
> VK3RBA -- Not Operational
>
> -- Repeater temporarily removed from service.
>
> VK3RDK -- Operational
>
> -- Currently no gateway connection
>
> VK3RNK -- Operational
>
> -- Currently No gateway connection
>
> VK3RWN -- Operational
>
> -- 23cm DV & DD currently off air due to site issue
>
> VK3RWW -- Operational for system testing only.
>
> VK3RMM --Operational on 70cm & 2mtrs.
>
> VK4RWN -- Operational
>
> -- 70cm DV& 23cm DV off air
>
> -- Running on temporary 2mtr antenna
>
> VK4RDS -- Operational
>
> VK4RBX -- Operational
>
> VK5REX -- Operational
>
> -- Experimentation continues with Home Brew equipment and D-Star HotSpot
>
> VK5RWN - Operational on all bands except 23cm DD & DV
>
> -- Experiencing some Reflector Linking issues
>
> VK6RWN -- Operational on all bands except 23cm DV
>
> VK8RAD -- Check with local repeater operators
>
> Reflector 003 -- Operational
>
> Reflector 023 - Operational
>
> For more details visit www.dstar.org.au <http://www.dstar.org.au/> or 
> http://www.wia.org.au/members/repeaters/data/
>
> *_Weekly Nets_*
>
> Some weekly nets of interest:
>
> EMDRC Net
>
> /www.emdrc.com.au <http://www.emdrc.com.au/>/
>
> Thursday 8pm ESST (10:00 UTC)
>
> VK3RWN C
>
> REF003 C
>
> Ozark Mountain D-STAR Net
>
> http://www.w0omd.org/
>
> Monday 11am ESST  (02:00 UTC)
>
> W0OMD C
>
> REF001 C
>
> If you would like your local D-Star net listed here please email me.
>
> A list of D-Star nets can be found at 
> http://www.dstarinfo.com/Nets/Nets.htm
>
> *_Reflector Connections._*
>
> The following default connections are currently established between 
> Reflectors and VK D-Star Repeaters:
>
> *REFLECTOR 003 Port C *
>
> VK3RWN C
>
> VK3RMM C
>
> VK4RBX C
>
> VK4RDS C
>
> *REFLECTOR 003 Port B*
>
> VK2RWN B
>
> VK3RWN B
>
> VK3RMM  B
>
> VK5RWN B
>
> VK6RWN B
>
> *REFLECTOR 023 Port C*
>
> VK4RWN C
>
> Reflector REF003 port B is the Australian National D-Star connection port.
>
> NOTE: The D-Star linking application occasionally has problems. If you 
> are taking on a link (such as port B) and getting no response it is 
> possible that the linking system may need to be reset. Please place an 
> email notification of the problem on this list for assistance.
>
> *_Linking Instructions_*
>
> Operators can link and unlink all Ports on the following repeaters;
>
> VK2RDS, VK2RWN, VK3RWN, VK3RMM, VK4RBX, VK4RDS, VK4RWN, VK5RWN & VK6RWN.
>
> Linking allows operators on the local D-Star repeater port to link to 
> a remote D-Star reflector or repeater port without the operator 
> needing to program anything special in their URCALL field. This 
> enables a virtual repeater to be set up between the local port and one 
> or more (if using a reflector) remote D-Star repeater ports around the 
> world.
>
> Operational hints;
>
> -- The local WIA repeater systems are configured to automatically 
> unlink the connection in 15 minutes if there is no local RF activity.
>
> -- At selected times when nets are scheduled the repeater system may 
> automatically drop any links, temporarily disable operator linking on 
> the port and set the system up for the net. After the net is completed 
> operations will be restored to normal.
>
> -- The local WIA repeater will transmit a link status text message to 
> all radios on the RF port every 10 minutes.
>
> -- An voice announcement indicating the port you are on is linked will 
> be played every 15 minutes.
>
> This functionality has been made possible with enhancements to the 
> Dplus Gateway application and development of a number of supporting 
> scripts by various people.
>
> For details on how to use D-Star linking please read the Guide at 
> http://www.dstar.org.au/Australian_D-Star_Repeater_Linking_User_Guide_V1.1.pdf
>
> WIA D-Star repeater Port Bs are Now enabled for operator unlink & link 
> control.
>
> Non WIA D-Star repeaters may or may not have operator linking available.
>
> *_DPRS Beacons_*
>
> Remember to set your Auto transmit beacon rate for DPRS to 10 Minutes 
> for mobiles and 30 Minutes for home stations.
>
> */Do Not Auto Beacon During an Nets in progress on your local repeater./*
>
> */If your station is unattended turn off all DPRS beacons./***
>
> *_Multicasting._*
>
> A Multicast group has been set up on all VK D-Star repeaters port C to 
> allow you to call multiple VK remote repeaters.
>
> By placing /VKC in URCall of your radio you enable Multicast for the 
> VKC Multicast group.
>
> The VK Multicast group currently has VK3RWN C, VK4RGC C, VK5RWN C, 
> VK5REX B, VK6RWN C and VK3RWW B as group members.
>
> All operators taking part in a Multicast group net must have /VKC in 
> their URCall. After you have completed the Multicast group net you 
> must 'Hang up' by placing CQCQCQ in URCall.
>
> When you wish to establish a Multicast net place /VKC in URCall, 
> announce that you are using the /VKC Multicast group so that other 
> local and remote operators can configure their URCall and take part in 
> the Multicast net. Then see who joins in the fun.
>
> This current VKC Multicast group has been set up as an experiment to 
> enable everyone to see how D-Star Multicasting works. Why not give it 
> a go and see what happens.
>
> You can use Callsign Routing, Node Linking or Multicasting when you 
> wish to call any remote operators. For help with radio configurations 
> for Routing visit the D-Star Calculator at 
> /www.dstarinfo.com/Calculator/Default.htm 
> <http://www.dstarinfo.com/Calculator/Default.htm>/
>
> More information on D-Star is at www.dstar.org.au 
> <http://www.dstar.org.au/>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Richard
>
> VK3JFK
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Dstar mailing list
> Dstar at lists.wia.org.au
> http://lists.wia.org.au/mailman/listinfo/dstar
>    

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