Feature Setup...

In addition to routing your call through the D-STAR network, the gateway also provides the ability to simulcast on all three DV modules, make calls to specific callsigns, gateways, or multicast groups, linking to other gateways and “reflectors”, an echo test, and a voice ID for the WA6IRC D-STAR system.

To make life easy, program memories for each of your frequent contacts and gateway / reflector combinations. For all of the following features, program your radio with WA6IRC_G for RPT2 Call and set RPT1 Call to the local module you use to access the D-STAR system. The URCALL parameter is used to select the features listed.

LOCAL SIMULCAST

To transmit on all three local DV modules at the same time, program URCALL with the gateway callsign followed by spaces as necessary to fill all 8 positions in the callsign, WA6IRC_ _ for the IRC gateway.

URCALL: WA6IRC _ _

RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_C

RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G

CALLSIGN CALL

To call a specific station, program URCALL with the callsign of who you want to reach. As with all of the gatgeway features, program RPT2 call with WA6IRC_G.

URCALL: KC1RON

RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_C

RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G

GATEWAY CQ CALLS: D-STAR CALCULATOR

Here is a handy tool for figuring out gateway CQ call programming parameters: D-STAR Calculator. Select a port to access WA6IRC, your destination gateway and band to see a customized list of programming parameters. Click here for more D-STAR Calculator info.

URCALL: /W6HRO_B

RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_C

RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G

MULTICAST GROUPS

A “Multicast Group” is a group of repeater/module link combinations defined by gateway administrators. For example, the ID-1 can use the /CA1200 multicast group which links several California 1.2 GHz DV modules. By programming URCALL to "/CA1200", DV traffic is sent to the 1.2 GHz modules of the repeaters defined in the “/CA1200” multicast group. This provides a way for ID-1 users to talk to other ID-1 folks around California. Current 1.2 GHz modules in the “/CA1200” group are:

K6CHO, Chico
K6MDD, Oakland
K6SOA, Laguna Beach
K6VO, Laguna Niguel
KI6JUL, San Jose
W6HHD, Merced
W6HRO, Anaheim
WA6IRC, Los Angeles

To use a multicast group, program URCALL with the group mnemonic, /CA1200 in this case. Remember, the /CA1200 multicast group requiers an ID-1 as all traffic in the group happens on 1.2 GHz.

URCALL: /CA1200

RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_A

RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G

GATEWAY LINKING

Just as with analog repeaters, D-STAR repeaters can be “linked” to permit QSOs among all users of two linked gateways. “Reflectors” provide a way to dynamically link multiple gateways together for nets, etc. To see which modiles are available on a particular gateway, point your browser to the D-STAR Gateway page. Click on a gateway for a table of modules and recent activity.

For gateway and reflector linking, program your radio with memories for the links you wish to make, a "Gateway QSO" memory for the QSO, and an “Unlink” memory to drop the link when done.

To establish the link, select your “Link” memory, key up and give your callsign. The repeater will reply with a “Remote System Linked” message. Switch to your “Gateway QSO” memory and carry out your QSO. When you are ready to drop the link, key up on your “Unlink” memory. The repeater will reply with an unlink message. Remember that RPT1 Call will be the same for each of these memories; RPT2 Call will be WA6IRC_G.

To link to a gateway, program URCALL with the Gateway callsign / Module / Link. For example, W6HRO_BL for W6HRO, Module B. Carry out your QSO on your "Gateway QSO" memory, and unlink by keying up on your "Unlink" memory.

URCALL: W6HRO_BL
RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_C
RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G

SWITCH TO:
URCALL: CQCQCQ
RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_C
RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G
FOR QSO

TO DROP LINK:
URCALL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ U
RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_C
RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G

REFLECTOR LINKING

“Reflectors” are special gateways that “reflect” DV traffic back to all linked gateways for rebroadcast locally. This way all linked gateways hear all traffic from all of the gateways connected to the reflector, providing an easy way to hold a multi-gateway net, etc. on the fly. Each reflector has three modules, A, B and C. Currently there are more than 30 reflectors located throughout the world. For information on refector locations and activity, see the Georgia D-STAR Reflector Listing.

To link to a reflector, program URCALL with the Reflector callsign / Module / Link. For example, REF001CL for Reflector 1, Module C. Carry out your QSO on your "Gateway QSO" memory, and unlink by keying up on your "Unlink" memory.

Link to Last Busy Reflector: Set URCALL to WA6IRCLX (L for Last busy reflector). Key up and give your callsign. After you unkey, the gateway will link to the last busy reflector, a great way to find a QSO!

Random Reflector Link: Set URCALL to WA6IRCRX (R for Random reflector). Key up and give your callsign. After you unkey, the gateway will link to one of the ten most recently active reflectors. A great way to meet someone new.

URCALL: REF001CL
RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_C
RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G

SWITCH TO:
URCALL: CQCQCQ
RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_C
RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G
FOR QSO

TO DROP LINK:
URCALL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ U
RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_C
RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G

GATEWAY LINK STATUS

To find out how the DV modules are linked, set URCALL to WA6IRCIX (I for Info). Key up and give your callsign. After you unkey, the gateway will play a string of audio files indicating how the current module is linked, such as: "Module Bravo, Linked to Reflector 0 0 1 C". For gateways, the message is of the format, "Module Charlie, Linked to Gateway". If nothing is linked, the gateway will announce, "Unlinked".

The gateway also broadcasts voice and text messages on linked modules approximatly every 10 minutes to indicate gateway link status for that module. The text message will scroll across your radio display as "Linked to REF001 C".

LOCAL ACTIVITY CHECK

To find out who the last RF user was, set URCALL to WA6IRCAX (A for Activity). You will see a text message with the call of the last RF user.

ECHO TEST

To check how you sound on the system, do an Echo Test. Set up a memory with URCALL set to WA6IRC_E. Key up and speak a few words. After you unkey, the gateway will play back your audio.

REPEATER ID

Set up a memory with URCALL set to WA6IRC_I. Key up and give your callsign. After you unkey, the gateway will play the system ID, or if they system is linked, you will hear a system linked ID. This, along with the Echo Test are quick ways to check how you are getting into the system and how you are hearing the repeaters.

EXAMPLES

Here is a table summarizing what we have just talked about. In each case you are transmitting on 2 meters, WA6IRC_C. Click here here for a couple other examples. For a good discussion and examples of manual programming for the ID-800, see AE7Q's ID-800 Usage page.

CALL TYPE	URCALL	RPT1 CALL	RPT2 CALL	DESCRIPTION
SIMULCAST	WA6IRC _ _	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Transmit on all 3 local DV ports
CALLSIGN	KC1RON	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Route call to last location KC1RON was heard
GATEWAY CQ	/W6HRO_B	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	CQ to 70cm port of distant D-STAR system W6HRO
MULTICAST GROUP	/CA1200	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Transmit to all 1.2 GHz modules in the "California 1200" group
GATEWAY LINK START	W6HRO_BL	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Start link to B module on W6HRO
REFLECTOR LINK START	REF001CL	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Start link to C module on REF001
GATEWAY QSO	CQCQCQ	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Sends DV traffic to remote Gateway or Reflector
UNLINK	_ _ _ _ _ _ _ U	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Drop the Gateway or Reflector link
LOCAL RF ACTIVITY	WA6IRCAX	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Last local RF user via text message
GATEWAY LINK STATUS	WA6IRCIX	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Plays audio files describing current link configuration
LINK TO BUSY REFLECTOR	WA6IRCLX	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Link to last busy reflector. Easy way to find a QSO
RANDOM REFLECTOR LINK	WA6IRCRX	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Random link to a recently active reflector.
ECHO TEST	WA6IRC_E	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Plays back your transmission
REPEATER ID	WA6IRC_I	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Repeater ID if unlinked; "System Linked" message if linked

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