HomeDSTAR Information

Federal Way DSTAR Information

The Federal Way Amateur Radio Club has 1 DSTAR repeater that serves the Federal Way area and is are located at the Federal Way Community Center. This includes a 2-meter, 70-centimeter, 23-centimeter, Data stack.

The Washington State Reflector, REF035, has been restored and is back in operation. It is permanently connected to WA7FW Module C from 0600 to 2200 7 days per week.

REGISTER YOU CALLSIGN TO USE DSTAR: Please register for DSTAR at https://regist.dstargateway.org/Dstar.do. If you need assistance in registering for DSTAR, please send an email to dstar@fwarc.org.

Please read the operating rules for our repeaters: Operating Rules

DSTAR License Plate

Federal Way Amateur Radio Club
P.O. Box 23415
Federal Way, WA 98093-3415

FW Community Center

1290.100 MHz: Call sign: WA7FW-A, -20 MHz
1249.25 MHz: WA7FW - Data
443.850 MHz: Call sign: WA7FW-B, +5 MHz
146.840 MHz: Call sign: WA7FW-C, -0.6 MHz

WA7FW DPlus Dashboard - Includes link to Register for DStar

ECHO TESTS!!!

If you wish to conduct an echo test on either of the DStar repeaters or the Reflector, the best method is to link your radio to Module "E" and conduct your test. This way you will not broadcast over the air and across the network.

However, it is perfectly OK to set your radio to an Echo test (the letter "E" in position 8 in the UR call) and conduct your test, but know that your transmission will be heard by everyone listening on the repeater and the module the repeater is connected to, as well as if you are using a hotspot, the module and reflector you are connected to. The tests are identical, but the best practice is to use Module E on the Repeater and the Reflector.

If you need help with this, please contact a fellow ham or the system administrator.

Thank you.

Federal Way has 2 DStar Repeaters and a new Analog FM Repeater!!

UPDATE 4/28/2024: WA7DR has moved to within Federal Way's City limits at Towers 1 and 4 (same location as the 147.04 MHz repeater). Its callsign is WA7DR.The repeater is fully operational in both Analog and DStar.

The WA7DR repeater is a mixed mode DStar and FM repeater operating on the same frequencies as before.

The repeater is set to be connected to the Washington State Reflector, REF035C 24/7. However, feel free to unlink and connect to another reflector during non-net times. If no transmit activity within 15 minutes is detected by the repeater, it will disconnect from the other reflector and revert back to REF035C automatically.

Please check back for updates.

Any and all updates on the status of WA7DR will be posted on the FWARC.org website.

WA7DR DPlus Dashboard - Includes link to Register for DStar

Reflector 035 - Western Washington

A reflector is similar to a conference bridge. It allows numerous DSTAR stations, and local & remote repeaters to talk to each other at the same time.

REF035 Dashboard - This page has an option to register, but it is not checked. Please register for DSTAR at https://regist.dstargateway.org/Dstar.do.

UPDATE 4/26/2024: Since 11/2023, REF035 has been online and running non-stop. The reflector started out on the original bare metal computer for a few months, but in 1/2024, it was moved to a datacenter in Seattle.

The Refelector is experiencing issues with the popular OpenSpot 4 and 4 Pros where those devices experience packet losses greater than 10% to has high as 80%, making them very difficult to copy. We are working with our Datacenter provider as well as with SharkRF to find a solution, but in the meantime, if you have a OpenSpot 4 Pro (the pro only), you can use the SharkLink software (found on the OpenSpot's main page), to connect an Android/iPhone/Computer through he OS4 Pro, using your phone/computer as the radio. This has worked very well and is a temporary solution to using the OpenSpot 4 Pro on REF035. As for the OpenSpot 4, there is not working solution for using it on this reflector. We'll keep you updated.

We continue to host the WA7DRE morning net Monday through Friday at 0700 Pacific time and Saturday Nights at 1900 on Module C and things have been going well.

WA7FW Module C and WA7DR Module B are both connected to REF035 Module C - 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. If you wish to unlink the repeater and connect to another reflector, feel free to do so. The reflector cannot be unlinked during the morning and Saturday night nets.

REF035 support Modules A, B, C, D and E. REF035 is provided by the Federal Way Armature Radio Club and the WA7DRE has requested to use Module C for their morning and Saturday night nets.

Below is the schedule for the WA7DRE Net:

WA7DRE will be hosting their morning net REF035C
Every weekday morning at 7am pacific

8am mountain 9am central 10am eastern

Every Saturday EVENING at 7pm pacific

8pm mountain, 9pm central, 10pm eastern

In the event of a failure, the backup reflector is XRF035C

Any questions, please send them to wb7nil@fwarc.org or dstar@fwarc.org.

Reflector 035 Washington State DStar Reflector

Reflector 035 has been back in operation now for nearly a month and is operating wonderfully. We are expecting the reflector to be moved up to a Datacenter soon which will further increase performance and reliability and provide better service to the users.

REF035 is sponsored by the Federal Way Amateur Radio Club and available for use by all. There are 4 modules for use on this reflector, with Module E used for Echo Testing. Until further notice, the reflector is available for use by all Washington State club DStar Nets, but those nets must be coordinated with the Federal Way Amateur Radio Club to ensure there are no conflicts. The current communications use plan is as follow until further notice:

REF035A - Washington State Special Event Use or upon request by other parties.

REF035B - Washington State General Usage and Linking.

REF035C - M-F from 0700 to approximately 0830, and 1900 on Saturdays, the WA7DRE Group holds their net. Otherwise. This module generally remains linked to several Washington State ICOM Repeaters throughout the week.

REF035D - This module is reserved for Washington State Digital Data (D-Rats).

Reflector Lists

A link to DStar Information with links to all known DStar reflectors

World-Wide DStar Reflectors

Reflector 35 Dashboard

How to Register for DStar

Use the following link to find instructions on how to register for DStar. Note that after you are approved, you will receive an email that registration was successful. The next thing to do will to register terminal ID's in order to access any repeater and use a Hotspot and DV Dongle.

DStar Registration Instructions

For More Information

FWARC DStar Information, Help and Setup Guides

Contact Information

Send any questions or if you need help, to dstar@fwarc.org

DSTAR FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

DStar can provide the ability to send and receive emails, files, pictures and Chat on the same frequency as DStar voice. DStar splits the frequency using one side for voice and the other for data. Communications can be direct through simplex, through a DStar repeater, or via the Internet - or a combination of these mediums.

To use DRats, you do not need to have a DStar radio. DRats works via Telnet and AX.25 (Packet Radio) over the internet and packet TNC respectively, and works well with Winlink.

In this section you will find some documents and videos where DRats is being setup and used for EMCOM.

Any questions, please email dstar@fwarc.org

D-RATS! Practical Emergency Communications Interview with John Davis WB4QDX - Livestream With Josh Ham Radio Crash Course

The Return of D-RATS Emergency Communication for ICOM Ham Radios - With Josh Ham Radio Crash Course

Using DRATS for EMCOMM - A discussion of DRATS with Glen Strecker KG5CEN. Learn how how it is implemented and get a good foundation in getting your group started using DRATS. By K5ATA Goodgame Ham Radio & Outdoors

D-STAR for Emcomm: D-STAR Basics - From Snohomish County ACS/ARES Training Page

D-Star Info - General Information on D-Star and DRats

DRats Download - Available on Github. D_Rats Version 0.4.2 (2023-11-28)

Radio Specific Setup Videos

Google Search on ID52 Setup - This is a link for a general search on setting up the ICOM ID-52 Handheld.

ICOM ID-52 First Time Set up - instruction manual guide - By DIGITAL HAM RADIO DIARY-M0FXB. There are several Videos on setting up and using the ID-52.

Google Search on the ID-5100 - This is a link for a general search on setting up the ICOM5100 Mobile Radio

Unboxing and Initial Setup of the ID-5100 - A link to Ham Radio 2.0's Unboxing and Setup for the ID-5100

ICOM ID-880H Mobile Dual Band DStar/FM Radio -This is a series of videos on how to program the ID-880H, which is an older version of the ICOM Series of DStar radios. Although this will walk you through programming the ID-880H, the concept applies to the 2820, 92 and other pre-2012 (i.e. IC-7100) radios. The videos series was made by a new ham Milt Reynolds KJ7PPX, who taught himself DStar and how to program the radio using the manual. You may have to watch some of the videos a few times to digest what he is presenting, but the information is basically accurate and functional. It is a good place to start to learn how to program your radio if you have one of the older radios.

For Pre-2012 DStar Radios Configuration Help - I found a link to Kev's Development Toolbox that was written for the ic-880H, but really applies to those older ICOM DStar radios and explains how to program the 4 parameters "MY", "RPTR1", "RPTR2", and "UR". The "UR" is the one field that is changed the most, even in the modern radios, which is referred to as "TO" and the one field that is probably the biggest reason why no one hears you when you call out. Take a read on this article and defiantly watch the video series ICOM ID-880H Mobile Dual Band DStar/FM Radio for more insight on these older radios and with some patients, you should be able to get setup talking on DStar.

More Pre-2012 DStar Information and Help on the ID-880H - From M0FXB, his complete video series where he takes you through learning about DStar and the older radios and how they programed. I find learning about these older radios very useful in understanding how DStar works as those of us with the new radios are very spoiled!

More to come

DStar Help Guides

Here are some links to resources that will help you understand and configure your radio for DStar. Unless otherwise specified, these guides are not radio specific. Check back later for more.

D-STAR Quick-Start Guide - by Rob Locher W7GH

The Newbieʼs Guide to Using D-Star - How to get the most out of your new D-Star transceiver V1.0 by Susan Mackay VK3ANZ

The Dummies Guide to D-Star.V1.0 - Copyright Neil Bedford, G7EBY, November 2008. This is dated, but applicable. Terms may have changed, but after some study, you will better understand DStar setups.

Reflections on Reflectors - A basic tutorial on DSTAR reflectors, by Bob Scott, W6KD Rev 1.02, 15 June 2016

D-STAR Linking Tips - By the Charlotte Digital Radio Group

History and Technical Information on DStar

Introduction to D-STAR Digital Voice

Western Washington Band Plan - Western Washington Amateur Relay Association

Need to find a frequency for your hotspot? Please check the Western Washington Band Plan for unused simplex frequencies that are assigned for hotspots.

For UHF: Western Washington 70 cm (UHF) Band Plan

For VHF: Western Washington All Bands Plan

Please refer to these band plans so that you do not set up your hotspot on an active repeater. Always listen to the frequency you plan to use before you implement the hotspot and that frequency.

Tip: With hotspots, you will want to turn down the output power of your handheld or mobile radio to the minimum output power.

If you need help planning the implementation of your hotspot, please contact Email Dstar@fwarc.org

PI-STAR Hotspot Information

For configuring your pi-star (Raspberry Pi) hotspot, here are some links to assist you. Although this page is primarily for D-Star, some of these links include settings and information for other digital modes available in your pi-star hotspot.

Using DStar mode with pi-star - Settings to use DStar on any pi-star based hotspot

Playing with Pi-Star - General Information on the Pi-Star Hotspot by Toshen, KE0FHS

Pi-Star DStar Configuration Help - General Information on different settings in the Pi-Star based Hotspots by Toshen, KE0FHS

Pi-Star - Typical ircddbgateway Configuration Settings - Here you will find the settings for manually configuring the ircddbgateway configuration file under the pi-star dashboard on your hotspot. From admin, click on the following menus: configuration -> expert -> ircddbateway.

OpenSpot Hotspot Information

Here you will find some settings and other information for other digital modes available in your OpenSpot x hotspot.

There are several hardware versions of the OpenSpot. Currently only the OpenSpot 4 Pro can crossmode DStar to the other digital modes (DMR, P25, Fusion, etc..).

Crossmode for your Openspot - Settings for your Openspot. The OpenSpot 4 and previous versions can crossmode to all the other digital modes except DStar.

Here is the operating manual for the OpenSpot 4 and OpenSpot 4 Pro: OpenSpot 4 Manual

IMPORTANT: In order to use your OpenSpot to connect to a DStar Repeater, you must uncheck "Auto Set URCALL to Network" found under the connector Tab. Make sure you have Advanced Mode checked which is located in the bottom right corner of your browser. Not doing so, you will not be heard over RF on the repeater.

More to come.....

DStar Videos (General information)

D-STAR Live 2017 — All About D-STAR from A to Z - March 28, 2017 by Ray Novak

D Star XRF Reflectors - A Whole New D-Star Experience | K6UDA Radio - YouTube Video by K6UDA Radio on XRF Reflectors for DStar.

Introduction to D-Star - YouTube Video from Gadget Talk. The information is basic information on how DStar works.

Helpful DSTAR Links

FWARC DStar Information

WA7FW Dashboard
WA7DR Dashboard

Reflector 35 (REF035) Dashboard (Washington State Reflector)
Both the link and the Reflector are currently down, but will be restored soon.)

DSTAR Registration Application

DSTAR Info Home Page

DSTAR Users Org Page

DSTAR Calculator

EXISTING DStar Users on WA7FW ONLY!!! If you need to modify your terminal information associated with your DStar registration on WA7FW, you need to enter the following URL into your browser:

Wa7fw.dstargateway.org/Dstar.do

This will take you to the WA7FW registration page where you can enter your login information directly on the server. If you have forgotten your password, please contact the System Administrator at dstar@fwarc.org, attn: WB7NIL and a password reset email will be sent to you.

If you wish to be moved to REGIST, you can make that request as well, and this will be arranged.

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