Feature Setup...

The gateway is what links our local D-STAR repeater to the rest of the world, in addition to providing several local services such as simulcasting on all three DV modules, an "Echo Test", link status and a variety of gateway telemetry and information.

For your traffic to be heard over the D-STAR network and to make use of the gateway 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 various gateway features. To make life easy, program memories for each reflector / gateway / feature you wish to use. For details on programming your radio, see our Radio Setup page.

The Good...

As D-STAR has matured, certain features have shown themselves to be more popular than others, primarily due to their ease of use. We present them here.

REFLECTOR LINKING

By far the most popular feature is "linking to a reflector". "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. "Reflectors" provide a way to dynamically link multiple gateways together, providing an easy way to create a "wide-area repeater", hold a multi-gateway net, etc. on the fly. Each reflector has three modules, A, B and C.

Currently there are more than 40 reflectors worldwide. They have become so popular that many D-STAR gateways remain linked to certain reflectors on a permanent or semi-permanent basis, making QSOs over a wide area very easy for the user. One example is Reflector 1 C, with upwards of 50 systems linked at any one time, WA6IRC B being one of them. Locally, many California 1.2GHz D-STAR systems are linked to Reflector 14 A, among them WA6IRC A. For a listing of reflector locations, usage and current status see the Georgia D-STAR Reflector Listing.

For reflector (and gateway) linking, program your radio with Link memories for the links you wish to make, a QSO memory (URCALL set to CQCQCQ) for the QSO, and an Unlink memory (URCALL set to 7 spaces followed by U) to drop the link when you are 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 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.

Only one link can be made from each local module at a time. Do not link multiple local modules to the same remote module.

Reflector Link / QSO / Unlink

URCALL: REF012AL
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

Note that RPT1 and RPT2 Call remain the same; only URCALL changes. URCALL is programmed with REFXXXML for linking and _ _ _ _ _ _ _U (7 spaces followed by U) or REFXXXMU for unlinking.

REFXXX is the remote reflector.
M is the module you are linking to (A, B, or C).
L (or U) is for linking (or unlinking).

REFLECTOR TRICKS

Link to Last Busy Reflector: Set URCALL to _ _ _ _ _ _LX (L for Last busy reflector; Six spaces before the LX). 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 _ _ _ _ _ _RX (R for Random reflector; Six spaces before the RX). 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.

GATEWAY LINKING

Just as with analog repeaters, two D-STAR repeaters can be "linked" to permit QSOs among all users of two linked gateways. Program your radio with Link memories for the links you wish to make, a QSO memory (URCALL set to CQCQCQ) for the QSO, and an Unlink memory (URCALL set to 7 spaces followed by U) to drop the link when you are done.

Gateway Link / QSO / Unlink

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

Again, RPT1 and RPT2 Call remain the same; only URCALL changes. URCALL is programmed with XXNXXML for linking and _ _ _ _ _ _ _U (7 spaces followed by U) or XXNXXXMU for unlinking.

XXNXXX is the remote Gateway. Pad with spaces so M is in the 7th position.
M is the module you are linking to (A, B, or C).
L (or U) is for linking (or unlinking).

GATEWAY LINK STATUS

To find out how the DV modules are linked, set URCALL to _ _ _ _ _ _IX (I for Info; Six spaces before the IX). 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". A text message will also scroll across your radio display. 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 approximately 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".

CALLSIGN ROUTING

One of the unique features of D-STAR is the ability to call to a specific callsign without having to know what gateway that callsign was last heard on. If you think of how cell phone calls are routed, you get the idea.

Now here is the challenging part: there are two ways callsign routing is handled. For simplicity we will call them ICOM and ircDDB. ICOM's method works, but updates do not propagate through the network very quickly. ircDDB works much faster; no surprise since it was developed to handle routing quickly.

What this means for us is that if you use callsign routing on a gateway running ircDDB, and the party you are calling is also on a gateway running ircDDB, chances are very good you will hear each other and be able to carry on a QSO, even if you move between ircDDB-enabled gateways. On gateways running the ICOM method you may not be satisfied with the results, especially if moving between gateways. For a current list of ircDDB gateways in the USA, see the ircDDB Network Status Page for US Gateways.

You can skip this part… ircDDB callsign routing is handled through the ircDDB-Network of distributed servers which exchange callsign routing info using Internet Relay Chat (IRC) technology. It is a pretty quick and efficient method. While ICOM's method works, it doesn't update quite fast enough to deal with mobile or portable operations.

"Callsign Call"

To call a specific station, program URCALL with the callsign you wish to contact, as shown below. Keep the callsign in URCALL for the duration of the QSO.

URCALL: KC1RON

RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_C

RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G

ircDDB Live Log and Internet Visibility
The ircDDB Network "Live Log" and the "Last Heard" lists are available on the ircddb.net website. You can choose whether your call sign will appear in the "Live Log" and the "LastHeard" list or not through the visibility toggle. Call sign routing works the same way regardless of the Internet visibility setting. The default setting is VIS OFF. You can switch from "VIS ON" to "VIS OFF" and vice versa at any time.

VIS ON: "Visibility On". In this mode, detailed information about your transmissions (e.g. time, length and TX message) is shown in the "Live Log" and in the "Last Heard" list. "VIS ON" is activated by placing VIS _ _ _ON in the URCALL field, then keying up on an ircDDB-enabled D-STAR repeater. This sets the visibility toggle for your callsign to "ON". You can now change URCALL back to CQCQCQ. Check the "Live Log" web page at http://ircddb.net/live.htm for your callsign. This only needs to be done once to set the toggle.

VIS OFF: "Visibility Off". In this mode no information about transmissions is shown in the "Live Log" and the "LastHeard" list. "VIS OFF" is activated by placing VIS _ _ OFF in the URCALL field, then keying up on an ircDDB-enabled D-STAR repeater. This sets the visibility toggle for your callsign to "OFF". You can now change URCALL back to CQCQCQ. Check the "Live Log" web page at http://ircddb.net/live.htm. Your call sign should not appear any longer from now on if you press PTT. This only needs to be done once to set the toggle.

Toggle Visibility ON	Toggle Visibility OFF
URCALL: VIS _ _ _ ON RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_C RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G	URCALL: VIS _ _ OFF RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_C RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G

Remember to set URCALL back to "CQCQCQ"

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. Make sure you announce you are simulcasting, otherwise another user may think you are on the same module.

URCALL: WA6IRC _ _

RPT1 Call: WA6IRC_C

RPT2 Call: WA6IRC_G

... The Bad and The Ugly

Here are some other, not-so-popular D-STAR Gateway features, just so you know. "Gateway CQ Calls" are easier done by linking to a gateway. "Multicast Groups" are not that popular as this is easier done by linking gateways to reflectors.

GATEWAY CQ CALLS
If you set URCALL to a gateway callsign preceded by a slash, your traffic will be sent to that gateway. The drawback is that to answer your call, the other station need to set URCALL to the callsign of the module you are on, again preceded by a slash. If you want to try gateway CQ calls, here is a 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.

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. The drawback is that each participating gateway needs to have this info programmed. If a system is added or deleted, all systems need to make this change. Reflector linking accomplishes this far easier. Just so you know, URCALL is set to the multicast group mnemonic for the duration of the QSO.

More Good... Gateway Scripts

The WA6IRC Gateway supports the following "scripts", programs that run on the gateway in response to setting URCALL to the gateway callsign followed by one of the script designators shown below. These programs do a variety of things such as linking to the last busy reflector, or to a random reflector, or send text messages to your D-STAR radio. Most gateways support these scripts.

Our gateway runs a unique script, _ _ _ _ _ _ EX (6 spaces before EX), which queries the US Geological Survey and returns a list of recent California earthquakes as a text message on your radio. The most recent quake from the past hour is listed first, in the format of magnitude and general location, i.e. 1.3 NORCAL 2.7 SOCAL 3.8 CENCAL. A great way to find out if that was an earthquake, or just Aunt Bunny jumping around.

Just to name a few, you can check for recent activity, link to a random reflector, or the last busy reflector... a great way to find a QSO. Some scripts may really only appeal to your inner technogeek, such as "server uptime", but hey, marginally useful apps are what make life, and D-STAR, interesting.

Set the last two characters of URCALL as shown in the table below to run the listed script.

URCALL

SCRIPT DESCRIPTION

AX

Reports last local RF user. "A" for Activity.

CX

Checks registration status and location last heard. "C" for Check.

EX

Earthquakes in California in the past hour. Magnitude and general location, most recent quake listed first. "E" for Earthquake.

HX

Gateway server temperatures. "H" for Heat.

IX

Link status information: Voice and text message. "I" for Info.

KX

Unlink all links. "K" for Kill.

LX

Link to last busy reflector. Great way to find a QSO. "L" for Link.

RX

Random reflector link. Great way to meet someone new. "R" for Random.

TX

Returns current time in Los Angeles, CA. Who needs a watch with D-STAR? "T" for Time.

UX

Returns gateway server uptime and CPU load. Impress your friends. "U" for Uptime.

ECHO TEST

To check how you sound on the system, do an Echo Test. Set up a memory with URCALL set to "_ _ _ _ _ _ _E (Seven spaces before the 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 "_ _ _ _ _ _ _I (Seven spaces before the 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
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	_ _ _ _ _ _ _ A	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Last local RF user via text message
GATEWAY LINK STATUS	_ _ _ _ _ _ IX	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Plays audio files describing current link configuration
LINK TO BUSY REFLECTOR	_ _ _ _ _ _ LX	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Link to last busy reflector. Easy way to find a QSO
RANDOM REFLECTOR LINK	_ _ _ _ _ _ RX	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Random link to a recently active reflector.
ECHO TEST	_ _ _ _ _ _ _ E	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Plays back your transmission
REPEATER ID	_ _ _ _ _ _ _ I	WA6IRC_C	WA6IRC_G	Repeater ID if unlinked; "System Linked" message if linked

Open Nets Tuesdays and Wednesdays 8pm. All Are Welcome!

AX	Reports last local RF user. "A" for Activity.
CX	Checks registration status and location last heard. "C" for Check.
EX	Earthquakes in California in the past hour. Magnitude and general location, most recent quake listed first. "E" for Earthquake.
HX	Gateway server temperatures. "H" for Heat.
IX	Link status information: Voice and text message. "I" for Info.
KX	Unlink all links. "K" for Kill.
LX	Link to last busy reflector. Great way to find a QSO. "L" for Link.
RX	Random reflector link. Great way to meet someone new. "R" for Random.
TX	Returns current time in Los Angeles, CA. Who needs a watch with D-STAR? "T" for Time.
UX	Returns gateway server uptime and CPU load. Impress your friends. "U" for Uptime.