Enjoy With D-Star - Kenwood TH-D74A/E Operating Tips

4 ENJOYING D-STAR (by DON ARNOLD, W6GPS)

4.2 Enjoy with D-STAR

You will have to get yourself registered first on the D-STAR network server. Go to
http://www.dstargateway.org/D-Star_Registration.html and register.
The TH-D74A/E's DR mode for D-STAR means Digital Repeater. It is a series of
commands to tell the D-STAR network what to do from your radio.
State of Tennessee
So, for me in Chattanooga, (TN) in USA, to get to my repeater, I hold
down the bottom key on the multi-scroll key[▼] for 2 seconds to use the "Repeater Select"
menu, so I can locate Chattanooga [W4PL B] module.
When I select this, the frequency (443.15 MHz) is selected along with the repeater name
"Chattanooga". So I am getting ready to tell the [W4PL B] module what to do.
I hold in the multi-scroll key[▲] for 2 seconds and I get a list on the "Destination Select"
Menu. If I want a local CQ (only Chattanooga Area) I select the "Local CQ". And talk
local Chattanooga.
This would be output to the [W4PL B] module and I would be transmitting to the local area.
The "Gateway CQ" in the "Destination Select" Menu would mean I wanted my signal sent
to another repeater like [K6VO C] module. This way I can talk to my California friends.
Another option is I can input a callsign for the "Individual Call" (Callsign routing) in the
"Repeater Select" Menu. Both of these transmissions are possible, but not 100 percent
dependable.
Gateway CQ Individual Call
The best way to get on the D-STAR is to use the "Reflector" menus.
If your local repeater allows it, you can transmit to the repeater a command to link to a
reflector.
For example: to link to reflector 30 C you would select link to a reflector, hit [ENT] key, and
use the encoder dial in "REF030CL" and press [PTT] for about 1 second.
This command is sent to the D-STAR network and your repeater is linked to the reflector
30C. You should get a response from the repeater that is "linked to 30 C"
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