Icom ID-52A DStar

  • Icom ID-52A DStar

    Posted by ac8al on 2024-07-31 at 19:21

    Anyone here familiar with Icom’s DStar and getting setup to operate DStar?

    ac8al replied 3 months, 2 weeks ago 2 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • Jim

    Organizer
    2024-07-31 at 19:26
    206
    50W posting rank

    Hi Richard,

    Do you have a specific issue or do you need general scope help? Or, … do you need hands on help from someone?

    I ask because there are some extremely good materials both online and in print introducing D-Star and setup. I have not been using it for about four or five years, but when I needed to first set up my IC-5100, I admit I was overwhelmed. I then looked around, found some explanations online, and suddenly felt really comfortable. I also know that there are some extremely good videos online including for ICOM HTs.

    Let me know which way you want to go. If you do want some good resources, happy to comb through what’s out there and give you some recommendations. If, on the other hand, you need personal help, maybe I can get you the right person on a zoom call.

    Thoughts?

    Jim

  • ac8al

    Member
    2024-07-31 at 19:37
    16
    5W posting rank

    I am trying to get the HT programmed for use with the DStar system and then how to actually use the DStar system. I want to be able to do direct connect to DStar repeaters and as well as setup the HT to go through my home internet or another internet source when a DStar repeater is not in range.

    The RTSystems program software is a bit confusing with Tone, Tone Squelch, Tone Squelch R, DTCS, DTCS R, D Code, D CTS, D Tone, and Split Tone. Trying to figure out which one I use for a repeater that uses a code on both input and output has been unsuccessful. I will take any assistance and training links you can offer. I have an ICOM ID-52A.

    Best regards,

    Richard

  • Jim

    Organizer
    2024-07-31 at 19:39
    206
    50W posting rank

    I feel you. It is a little daunting at first. I’m in a meeting right now. As soon as I’m done, I’ll look through my old links, revisit them, and see if I can come up with just a couple of easy to understand but useful resources for you. It’ll be good for the thread also, others might benefit.

    Back later.

  • ac8al

    Member
    2024-07-31 at 19:40
    16
    5W posting rank

    Thank you very much.

  • Jim

    Organizer
    2024-08-01 at 10:58
    206
    50W posting rank

    Okay, here goes. I’ve tried to compile some instructions from multiple sources. I will separately post some links, but here first is a summary of steps with some preliminary background.

    D-Star, as you likely know already, stands for Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio. Some people don’t realize that it was actually developed by the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL), their equivalent of the ARRL. What it does is to enable digital communication over repeaters and gateways, facilitating connections with other amateur radio operators across the globe. D-Star supports both voice and data transmission, allowing for clearer communication and additional functionalities such as GPS tracking and text messaging.

    Okay, now that we’ve gotten over the obvious… Let’s talk components.

    The D-Star network comprises repeaters, reflectors, and gateways. Understanding what each of these mean is critical, long before we get to programming your 52A.

    REPEATERS: Local stations that receive and retransmit signals.

    REFLECTORS: Virtual meeting rooms that connect multiple repeaters, enabling wide-area communications.

    GATEWAYS: Interfaces that connect local repeaters to the internet, facilitating global communication.

    Now I thought I would try my hand at a step by step. I hope this is useful and not too obvious and basic.


    Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up and Using D-Star on the Icom ID-52A


    Step 1: Initial Setup

    1. Unbox and Charge: Unbox the Icom ID-52A and ensure it is fully charged before starting.

    2. Power On: Turn on the radio by pressing and holding the power button.

    Step 2: Setting Up Your Call Sign

    1. Access Menu: Press the “Menu” button.

    2. Navigate to Settings: Use the directional pad to navigate to “Set Mode” and press “Enter.”

    3. Enter My Call Sign:

    • Select “My Station.”
    • Choose “My Call Sign.”
    • Enter your call sign using the keypad. Confirm by pressing “Enter.”

    Step 3: Configuring D-Star Settings

    1. Access Menu: Press the “Menu” button again.

    2. Select DV Gateway: Navigate to “DV Gateway Set” and press “Enter.”

    3. Configure Repeater 1 (R1):

    • Select “Repeater 1.”
    • Enter the repeater’s call sign you will be connecting to (e.g., “K6XYZ B” for the local repeater).

    4. Configure Repeater 2 (R2):

    • Select “Repeater 2.”
    • Enter the gateway’s call sign (usually the same as Repeater 1, but ending in “G” instead of “B,” e.g., “K6XYZ G”).

    Step 4: Finding and Storing Repeaters

    1. Find Local Repeaters: Use online databases such as RepeaterBook to find nearby D-Star repeaters.

    2. Store Repeaters:

    • Access the “Menu” and navigate to “Memory Channels.”
    • Select an empty channel and input the frequency of the local D-Star repeater.
    • Save the settings.

    Step 5: Connect to a D-Star Repeater

    1. Select the Stored Repeater: Use the memory channels to select the repeater you stored.

    2. Check DV Mode: Ensure the radio is in DV mode. If not, switch to DV mode by pressing the “Mode” button and selecting “DV.”

    3. Initiate Connection: Press the PTT button briefly to register your call sign with the repeater.

    Step 6: Make a D-Star Call

    1. Call CQ:

    • Press “UR” (Your Call Sign) on the screen.
    • Enter “CQCQCQ” to call for any station.
    • Press the PTT button and say your call sign followed by “CQ” (e.g., “This is [Your Call Sign] calling CQ”).

    2. Reply to a CQ:

    • Listen for other stations calling CQ.
    • Press the PTT button and respond with your call sign.

    Step 7: Using Reflectors

    1. Access Reflectors:

    • Press “UR” and enter the reflector’s call sign (e.g., “REF030C”).
    • Confirm the reflector is linked to the repeater.

    2. Link to Reflector:

    • Press the PTT button to link to the reflector.
    • Once linked, you can communicate with users on that reflector.

    Step 8: Advanced Features

    Data Transmission: Use the ID-52A’s capabilities to send text messages or GPS data.

    Firmware Updates: Regularly check for firmware updates from Icom to keep the device up to date.

  • Jim

    Organizer
    2024-08-01 at 11:02
    206
    50W posting rank

    By the way, tried to make the previous post look good, formatting-wise, but darn it looks bad. Sorry about that.

    • ac8al

      Member
      2024-10-26 at 02:16
      16
      5W posting rank

      I did get some stuff programmed into the radio. After the Marine Corps Marathon is done I will have time again to do some more and better learn the radio. Thank you for the assistance.

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