iptman
SILVER Star
What about D-Star? Useful or gimmicky?
Let's Talk Mobile Radios... UHF and Multi-band
- Thread starter Stumpalama
- Start date
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D-STAR (Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio) takes Ham radio to the next level. D-STAR enables Hams to take advantage of the internet and voice over IP to communicate with digital repeaters around the world. A Ham with a digital radio stuck in DC traffic can use a digital repeater on a tower in Tysons, for example, and select another digital repeater locally or anywhere else in the world and link the two together.
The digital radios are more expensive and more complicated to operate. The digital network is still expanding with coverage mostly in urban areas. The conventional analog Ham repeater network has better coverage, especially in rural areas.
The primary purpose of Ham radio is to provide communications support during disaster situations. Since the D-STAR network is dependent upon the internet, servers, routers, gateways, etc., its availability during a disaster (post hurricane power outages for example) is questionable.
Digital radio infrastructures are currently in use by large public safety agencies. As D-STAR evolves I suspect it be become more reliable with better coverage.
There are two perspectives to digital radio infrastructures:
From the computer tech; it is a voice over IP network with, oh-by-the-way, those radio things at the end.
From the radio tech; it is a radio communications infrastructure with, oh-by-the-way, that computer stuff in the middle.
Unless you want to get into some serious Ham radio/ IP geekery, or you have a need to talk to someone in another part of the world via radio, I would avoid D-STAR for the time being, IMHO.
The digital radios are more expensive and more complicated to operate. The digital network is still expanding with coverage mostly in urban areas. The conventional analog Ham repeater network has better coverage, especially in rural areas.
The primary purpose of Ham radio is to provide communications support during disaster situations. Since the D-STAR network is dependent upon the internet, servers, routers, gateways, etc., its availability during a disaster (post hurricane power outages for example) is questionable.
Digital radio infrastructures are currently in use by large public safety agencies. As D-STAR evolves I suspect it be become more reliable with better coverage.
There are two perspectives to digital radio infrastructures:
From the computer tech; it is a voice over IP network with, oh-by-the-way, those radio things at the end.
From the radio tech; it is a radio communications infrastructure with, oh-by-the-way, that computer stuff in the middle.
Unless you want to get into some serious Ham radio/ IP geekery, or you have a need to talk to someone in another part of the world via radio, I would avoid D-STAR for the time being, IMHO.
UHF is a great radio to use, and I especially like the cross-band repeater function. I purchased the RT Systems programming software and cable, but the memories are easy to program from the front panel, just follow the manual. I really like the multi-color LED function so I could set up the screen colors as I like. My radio came with the old firmware, but a quick email to Alinco and I got the new firmware. However, to update the firmware you need their dedicated $50+ cable. I haven't found a way around this yet. I'm using this as a base station, but I'm thinking about purchasing a second one for my Jeep.
kevin in okinawa
SILVER Star
very informative thread!
so, what are a couple of CLCC favorites? What do people use already/recommend. Handhelds, and a basic radio for my truck (24v but does have a 24/12vconverter) which I do plan to use for camping too. Thanks in advance for your feedback. I won't make the fallcrawl, my truck is somewhere in the Pacific still, but I want to be prepared for the first time I get to wheel here with y'all.
so, what are a couple of CLCC favorites? What do people use already/recommend. Handhelds, and a basic radio for my truck (24v but does have a 24/12vconverter) which I do plan to use for camping too. Thanks in advance for your feedback. I won't make the fallcrawl, my truck is somewhere in the Pacific still, but I want to be prepared for the first time I get to wheel here with y'all.
So who wants to program my radio in camp at Fall Crawl?
I can try.
I need mine programed as well.
afgman786
SILVER Star
If it's a baofeng I'll have what's needed for that.
- Thread starter
- #29
Yeah, I will have the cable, but not the computer... kids are using both for school. Grrr.
I can bring a laptop, but I don’t have a cable. Stump - let me know where to find the data as I think cell service is limited at the cove right?
(I need mine programmed as well)
(I need mine programmed as well)
- Thread starter
- #32
If you download the CHIRP program from here : https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Download then download the file on this page CLCC CHIRP file , we can program the baofeng radios.
I might be able to abscond with a laptop, but it is not a done deal yet.
You all are all over the place! Get your s*** together!!
Just kidding!
I’ll bring my laptop and cable also. We should be able to get them straight.
Just kidding!
I’ll bring my laptop and cable also. We should be able to get them straight.
Based on our experience of Fall Crawl any after-action or lessons learned on what specific radio to use handheld and permanent mount? It was great the club provided handheld loaners and they worked great. Now I'm definitely considering adding some sort of unit to my rig. I'm thinking hard-mounted but would be great to have a handheld as well for when out of the vehicle. Thanks
- Thread starter
- #36
I found this cool little Baofeng mount on Etsy. It just sticks to hard parts with 3m sticky tape, which worked well this weekend.
www.etsy.com
for $12 it was great. Although, my group had a lot of frustration with these little baofeng units, they would’ve been better used as traction boards in the mud pit behind Camp 4. A couple of you have taken a look at mine already, but T/R issues persisted with the other baofengs/club radios we had.
Handheld Baofeng UV-5R, BF-F8HP and Extended Battery Ham Dash Mount - Etsy
This Car Accessories item by SolveFunction has 83 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from San Mateo, CA. Listed on Apr 26, 2024
www.etsy.com
for $12 it was great. Although, my group had a lot of frustration with these little baofeng units, they would’ve been better used as traction boards in the mud pit behind Camp 4. A couple of you have taken a look at mine already, but T/R issues persisted with the other baofengs/club radios we had.
I have used my Bofang radios for 5 years now and they work ok. They are $30 radios.
Did you program it using the keypad? Or Chirp?
Mine has been programmed twice by club members laptops, so I assume that’s Chirp. The second program didn’t improve things and the other radios in my group were experiencing similar issues. I’ll bring it to the next meeting to see if anyone wants to take one last stab at it.
Do you have a stock antenna?
