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HOW D-STAR WORKS AND CALLSIGNS EXPLAINED

It is advised to spend some time programming your requirements into memories, then work from memory locations. If you use the VFO on some rigs the information is lost when you return to memory usage.

There are four call signs used in D-STAR. Although the different radios have different acronyms for them, everything consistently applies these four values:

How to use the D-Star Network

Now, let's look at some typical examples.

Example 1 - Local call This is the setting used to put out a general CQ Call to anyone within direct range of the same repeater as you are currently using (for example GB7DE).
UR RPT1 RPT2 MY	CQCQCQ GB7DE C (Note that the 'C' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) Not used MM0DUN (Replace this with your own callsign!)

Example 2 - Local call plus Gateway This is the setting used to put out a general CQ Call to anyone within direct range of the same repeater as you are currently using (for example GB7DE) and also who might be connected via the internet.
UR RPT1 RPT2 MY	CQCQCQ GB7DE C (Note that the 'C' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) GB7DE G (Note that the 'G' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) MM0DUN (Replace this with your own callsign!)

Example 3 - Gateway User-Specific Call This is the setting used to talk to GM0OPS who is not in direct range of the same D-Star repeater as you are on (for example GB7DE). The advantage is that D-STAR will route the call to them, no matter where they are as long as they have been on a D-Star System!
UR RPT1 RPT2 MY	GM0OPS GB7DE C (Note that the 'C' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) GB7DE G (Note that the 'G' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) MM0DUN (Replace this with your own callsign!)

Example 4 - Gateway Location-Specific Call This is the setting used to use to talk via another repeater, without necessarily looking for a specific person there. This routes the call to the distant repeater and Port (based on the 8th character designator).
UR RPT1 RPT2 MY	/GB7DG C (Note that the 'C' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) GB7DE C (Note that the 'C' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) GB7DE G (Note that the 'G' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) MM0DUN (Replace this with your own callsign!)

Example 5 - Gateway Linking Another Repeater to the one I am using This is the settings to put a call out via one repeater and also on another one. For example you are on VHF 2m on Port C of the Fife System GB7DE and wish to link the Glasgow System GB7DG also VHF 2m Port C so that your QSO can be heard on both.
UR RPT1 RPT2 MY	GB7DG CL(Note that the 'C' is in position 7 and the L is in position 8) The L is to Link. GB7DE C (Note that the 'C' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) GB7DE G (Note that the 'G' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) MM0DUN (Replace this with your own callsign!)

Once you hear that the Link is established you must press the CQ button which then puts “CQCQCQ” into the UR field. This then allows a CQ call to be made announcing that you are calling from DE Port C and also Linked via DG Port C. When finished with the link disconnect it must be disconnected with a U entered in the UR field, that is seven spaces then a U in position 8. All of this is easiest achieved by setting it up within a memory.

Example 6 – Gateway Linking into a Reflector This is the settings to use to talk via a Reflector, remember the changes to make as per Example 5 after connecting and Unlink when finished.
UR RPT1 RPT2 MY	REF006AL (This Links Reflector 6A Scottish Net) GB7DE C (Note that the 'C' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) GB7DE G (Note that the 'G' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) MM0DUN (Replace this with your own callsign!)

Example 7 – Querying the D-Star Repeater for Text Indication of Link Status This is the settings to use to query the Reflector to find out what Reflector or other D-Star Repeater it is linked to. You will receive back along the bottom of your radio screen a message telling you the status.
UR RPT1 RPT2 MY	GB7DE IX (Note that there is a single space before the I) GB7DE C (Note that the 'C' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) GB7DE G (Note that the 'G' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) MM0DUN (Replace this with your own callsign!)

Example 8 – Querying the D-Star Repeater for Text Indication of Link Status This is the settings to use to query the Reflector to find out what Reflector or other D-Star Repeater it is linked to. You will hear a voice message coming back telling you the status.
UR RPT1 RPT2 MY	GB7DE LI (Note that there is a single space before the L) GB7DE C (Note that the 'C' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) GB7DE G (Note that the 'G' is in position 8!-- 2 spaces) MM0DUN (Replace this with your own callsign!)

Note: It is not necessary to use /M, or /P as you can announce this. Using the /M or /P will confuse the D-Star System if someone is trying to link through the D-Star System to you and they have not added the /M or /P to your Callsign. This would result in the D-Star System not being able to route the connection There are no private conversations in D-STAR. Everyone hears everything you say. To be able to respond to a call from somewhere else, you must be a registered gateway user. If you're registered anywhere in the network, you're registered everywhere. Unregistered users can use the system locally, but can't use the gateway at all. You have to program your radio to respond to someone calling from somewhere else. Many radios have a one-touch button option to do this, but not all. All of the new radios have lots of memories to facilitate storing the various call signs.