16 May, 2009

Australian D-STAR Dashboard Now Available:

A web page has been established that shows recent activity across most of the Australian D-STAR repeaters.

The Dashboard is designed to allow users to see what is happening around the country without impacting on the performance of the internet links at each of the D-STAR repeater sites. Information is gathered automatically, from each of the repeater sites, every 2 minutes to create the Dashboard page. If there is a problem at the individual repeater site's then you will see an error associated with that part of the Dashboard page.

Click on Australian D-STAR Dashboard to access it.

The Dashboard will appear in the menu system on the left hand side shortly.

Regards, David Tilson - VK3UR

13 February, 2009

New South Wales D-STAR Launch:

D-STAR, VK2RDS and the VK2RWN D-STAR repeaters were officially launched for New South Wales at the Wyong Hamfest last Sunday.

Located at Maddens Plains, near Wollongong, VK2RDS is designed to provide D-STAR coverage in the south of Sydney on 2m DV, 70cm DV, 23cm DV and 23cm DD. VK2RDS was installed and is being maintained by the Illawarra Amateur Radio Society.

Located at Terrey Hills VK2RWN is designed to provide D-STAR coverage on 2m DV, 70cm DV, 23cm DV and 23cm DD in the north Sydney area. VK2RWN was installed and is being managed by the Manly-Warringah Amateur Radio Society.

The New South Wales D-STAR system was launched by the WIA President Michael Owen, VK3KI, in conjunction with VK2 from the MWARS, Rob VK2MT from the IARS. Peter VK3TQ of Icom and Richard VK3JFK the National D-STAR Coordinator provided a presentation on D-STAR and gave a live demonstration of D-STAR as well as a question and answer session.

At the Icom Australia stand David VK3UR programmed approximately 25 IC-92AD, IC-2820H and ID-800H D-STAR radios for users of the VK2RDS and VK2RWN D-STAR repeaters.

Regards, David Tilson - VK3UR

5 November, 2008

South Australian D-STAR Launch:

D-STAR and the VK5RWN D-STAR repeater will be officially launched for Adelaide at the AHARS Buy and Sell Nov 9th.

The D-STAR launch will consist of an introduction by AREG President Ben VK5ABE and WIA Director Robert VK3KRB. There will be a presentation on D-STAR by Peter VK3TQ of Icom and Richard VK3JFK the National D-STAR Coordinator and a live demonstration of D-STAR on VK5RWN as well as a question and answer session.

A number of configuration files will be available for the IC-92AD, IC-2820H & ID-800H based on the following D-STAR Gateways: VK5RWN B and VK5RWN C. With a little bit of fiddling we may also be able to whip up some files on the day for the IC-91AD.

As part of the D-STAR Launch authorised Icom dealers at the Buy and Sell will be offering a once off special D-STAT Launch price for all D-STAR radios on the day.

The Buy & Sell will be at Goodwood Community Centre. Rosa Street Goodwood.

Regards, Richard Hoskin - VK3JFK

9 October, 2008

West Australian D-STAR Launch:

Saturday, 18th of October 2008 is the D-STAR release presentation for VK6.

It will be held at the Darling Range RSL Hall, 35 Canning Road, Kalamunda, starting from 11.00am.

There will be a presentation from Icom representatives and then a practical demonstration. They will also be available for questions and assistance so please make sure you bring your D-STAR radios along.

We will be having a sausage sizzle for lunch and John Tower will be there with some D-STAR equipment for sale!

Please come along, it will be good to see you all there.

For further information please contact myself, VK6FZUK on 0414 533 244.

Regards, Danny Ainsworth - VK6FZUK.

28 September, 2008

Australian D-STAR Repeater Linking User Guide Updated:

Richard, VK3JFK, has finished updating the Repeater Linking User Guide which contains new and updated information that all D-STAR users should be familiar with to gain the most out of Australian D-STAR repeaters.

The User Guide can be found here.

25 September, 2008

VK6RWN C and VK6RWN AD Operational:

Heath, VK3TWO/6 advises that the 2m DV (VK6RWN C) and 23cm DD (VK6RWN AD) D-STAR Repeaters are now operational, along with the Internet Gateway (VK6RWN G) and that Gateway Registrations are now being accepted. Work is continuing at the Walliston site in Perth to install the 70cm DV and 23cm DV repeaters.

Further information can be found here.

22 July, 2008

VK5REX B Operational:

Michael, VK5ZEA, reports that VK5REX B, in Port Lincoln, was commissioned today by the Lower Eyre Peninsula ARC.

VK5REX B is running on 438.225 MHz (-5.4 MHz Offset), currently on low power. Work will now commence to construct the D-STAR Gateway.

Further information can be found here.

4 July, 2008

Australian D-STAR Repeater Users Survey:

To assist with network planning of the WIA D-STAR Repeater Network an online survey is now available and that we request all Australian D-STAR users complete.

There has been huge growth in Australian D-STAR activity over the last 12 months, including the installation and commissioning of a number of D-STAR repeaters around Australia, with more to come over the next few months.

It is timely for the WIA D-STAR Project Team, from around Australia, to build a profile of Australia's D-STAR users capabilities, operating preferences and knowledge of D-STAR to ensure that the WIA D-STAR Repeater Network and services are designed appropriately to meet the needs of Australia's amateur radio operators, as well as complying with recent changes to the Australian Amateur Radio LCD's.

Whether your interests in D-STAR vary from just talking to your mates across the local 2m D-STAR repeater, through to high speed file transfer across the world to other amateur radio operators using 23cm Fast Data, your input to this survey will assist in the development of our national D-STAR repeater network.

The survey can be accessed here until the end of July. A summary of survey results will be made available during August.

11 June, 2008

VK4RGC Now Operational:

The VK4RGC D-Star repeater system is now operational from the Gold Coast in Queensland. VK4RGC comprises Digital Voice repeaters on 2m, 70cm and 23cm as well as 23cm Digital Data. Further details can be found here and Gateway registration for VK4RGC is available on the Registration page.

7 May, 2008

New Australian D-Star Repeaters:

Two new D-Star repeater sites have been installed over the last week and are both undergoing testing while awaiting for their new / upgraded licences to the completed.

VK2RDS is operational from Maddens Plains, near Illawarra in NSW. It currently comprises:

• VK2RDS A
• VK2RDS B
• VK2RDS C

The 23cm Fast Data Repeater, VK2RDS AD, and the D-Star Gateway, VK2RDS G, are yet to be installed. Further details can be found on the New South Wales page.

VK4RBX is operational from The Knobby, near Ipswich in QLD. It currently comprises:

• VK4RBX C

The D-Star Gateway, VK4RBX G, is yet to be installed. Further details can be found on the Queensland page.

1 May, 2008

Recent Updates to the Web Site:

Photos of the recent D-Star installation at VK3RBA have been added as well as some preliminary photos for the VK2RDS D-Star system have been added to the Photo Gallery.

Instructions on how to link / unlink 2 D-Star repeaters has been added to the FAQ page.

Updated frequency information has been added for the VK2RDS D-Star system under the New South Wales page.

New ICF files for the Icom IC-2820H and IC-92AD have been added to the Icom ICF Files page.

You can now see the recent history of all Gateway connected Victorian 70cm D-Star repeaters on the Victoria page.

29 April, 2008

VK3RWN Gateway Migration:

The VK3RWN D-Star repeater was successfully migrated to support the new G2 Gateway software yesterday. The G2 Gateway software allows for many new features to be implemented across D-Star, including Multicasting across up to 10 D-Star repeaters simultaneously.

As part of the migration process all users of VK3RWN will need to register again to use the Gateway. Details can be found on the Registration Page.

27 April, 2008

Introduction to IC91AD / IC92AD Day:

Another successful Getting to Know Your Radio day was held at the F.A.M.P.A.R.C clubrooms at Bangholme the theme being the IC91AD and IC92AD handhelds. At one stage there were 22 people attentively watching and listening to proceedings. John VK3MJL took delivery of a new IC91AD so his new radio was programmed with the version 10 icf file saving him a lot of work. Attendees were also given the latest D-Star news by Peter VK3TQ who dropped in and also answered questions on the radios as well as questions on the repeaters and gateways. Many of the attendees went home with USB keys full of icf files and Dstar software, Richard VK3TXD generously supplied donuts to supplement the coffee and biccies supplied by the club. All in all another great session so keep an ear to the ground for the next day which will be run by Peter VK3TQ on the 2820.

From L to R: Susan VK3ANZ, John (in front) VK3MJL, Richard VK3TXD, Lionel VK3NM, Terry VK3BMX, Dave VK3EW, Jeff VK3EUL, Tony VK3AWN and Ed VK3ED.

29 March, 2008

VK3RMM 70cm D-Star Repeater:

The VK3RMM 70cm D-Star Repeater will be off air until further notice while site works are undertaken at Mt Macedon.