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.