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

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

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.

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.