[Jim]

We actually have the head of MAIPN right here on HC. @kn3u (Al).

[Jim]

Funny that I literally posted this today. I just got a promo email from GigaParts that seems to confirm what I thought.

MFJ-closing.jpeg 81 KB Image File - Click to view

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[Jim]

I must be doing something wrong. When I click through I get an error. Will keep trying.

[Jim]

That is actually such a good point!!! I had friends over the other day and did not think of doing that. Heck, even on VHF or UHF, does not have to be HF.

Great suggestion Dick.

[Jim]

Absolutely heart-breaking! I get that there was no loss of life, and that is definitely a blessing, but the damage hurts! I’ve had a flooded house, so I know how it feels.

[Jim]

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

[Jim]

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.

repeaterbook.com

Repeaterbook.com - Home

Worldwide Amateur Radio Repeater Database

[Jim]

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.

[Jim]

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

[Jim]

Hi. Sorry I took so long to reply.

I think you need a NMO adapter like this one: https://a.co/d/01Vvkqq4

After that I think you’ll need a mount like this one: https://a.co/d/0dqwO18B

This said, it’s hard to tell by your image if you already have either of these.

Did you buy it without any adapters? Used?

[Jim]

First of all, what a fascinating title. Forgive my stupidity but I had never really associated CW with techs, and yet… As for your CW prowess and passion, I’ll be reaching out, as well as to MaryAnn, in coming months, as I develop a new mutlimode contest concept – unique, believe me – for which CW expertise will be essential.

[Jim]

During the previous eclipse I participated in the NASA effort and transmitted. This time around, I won’t be able to. I am going though. We’ve rented a 15-pax bus and will be driving to…?? not sure yet, actually. It’ll be weather-dependent. We leave from D.C. and Baltimore. @W4Doi and W3CID will be with me, as will be wife, one daughter, and a pile of her friends. For now, the weather looks best up around Vermont. I’ll know better by Friday. We hit the road Sunday 7AM from Baltimore. All I hope for is cloudless sky and no stop-stop traffic jams.

[Jim]

So, I belong to a group called MCACS Montgomery County (MD) Auxiliary Communication Service along with another HC member/elmer @kn3u . I will tell you this, for us, the hardest thing about drills has always been finding people who want to run them. After a while it’s the same usual suspects. Also, to be transparent, even I am not as participative as I should be. We have hospital drills, one of which is a ten minute drive from me, and yet I don’t participate as often as I should.

In short, I commend you for your diligence. We need more people like you.

[Jim]

What a great idea to post this list. THANKS!!

Reminder to all, Ham Community will have a booth at Hamvention again this year.

[Jim]

Just noticed the railroad light. Wow. Do you have to operate with sunglasses? 😎 This said, I have bright Christmas lights in my shack 365 days a year 🤣

[Jim]

Always with the easy questions 😅

Unless I’m missing something, none of the microphone pins are outputs. Bizarre. I found the connections here: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1278421/Icom-Ic-7600.html?page=26

Also check page 27.

In the words of my buddy Andy, am I missing something?

manualslib.com

Microphone Connector Information - Icom IC-7600 Instruction Manual [Page 26]

Icom IC-7600 Manual Online: Microphone Connector Information. (Front panel view) q Microphone input w 8 V DC output e Frequency up/down Microphones D HM-36 D SM-50 (option) 23 i Main readout AF output (varies with [AF]) u GND (Microphone ground) … Continue reading

[Jim]

Donation? Yup, nope, not happening LOL. As far as the other points you make, they’re actually really good ones, seriously. I had never thought of it that way. But now time for full disclosure, I’ve actually tried setting up antennas here, surreptitiously in the middle of the night, and nothing gets out. This building is an interference-plagues Faraday cage with enough appliance activity to negate my best efforts. In my case, the battle is lost. All I can do is stare at my countdown clock; we move out of here and, hopefully hit the road, in 1036 days! Meanwhile, for another thread, I have a new go-kit concept I’m dreaming up. When it starts to take shape, I will post details.

[Jim]

Hi to all. Not sure if you have all signed up yet. Here is what you need to know. The signups are now open on both the MCMO and the Ham Volunteer sites. You need to, as in previous years, sign up on both.

Here are the two links you need.

1. FIRST, sign up on MCMO at: https://marinemarathon.com/volunteer/
2. SECOND, you go to: https://hamvolunteers.com and sign up there.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!!

marinemarathon.com

Volunteer - Marine Corps Marathon

The MCMO mission is to promote physical fitness, generate community goodwill and showcase the organizational skills of the United States Marine Corps. Successful completion of this mission requires the assistance of a dedicated team of volunteers. More than 1,800 volunteers … Continue reading

[Jim]

That’s a very valid point. In fact, I think we too often think that ‘everything’ is a right. I am of the personal core opinion that we are privileged to have been born to begin with and that life is a ‘privilege’ to be cherished. I guess the only thing I wish is that it were sometimes a little easier to live this life we live, but I still consider it a privilege. Can’t speak for the others, but I’m happy to be alive, and yes, happy to be a ham 😎

[Jim]

Had not thought of Poly. I use their headset when I’m driving. Will check out their phones.

[Jim]

Excellent explanation. Quick question, do you use HH? Would you recommend using it?

[Jim]

Hey Michael, what kind of coax are you running, curious? We have a tower in my rural property and it’s old old hardline; I don’t think it even has a denomination, that’s how old it is. We’ll have to change it one of these days, and in our case it’s giong to co$t… it’s about 300 feet away from the house. 😵

[Jim]

Yup… big pads, new pads, the new posters, the new **free** door hangers, and a couple of surprises.

[Jim]

WOW. How did that happen in like – overnight? We went from barely some blue paint to a mega shack. Love it. Feels like a real control room! Congrats.

[Jim]

Looking good!!!!