Earl wrote: "So, if I purchase a new D Star dual-bander, what will it allow me to do that I can't do now??? And how long will it take me to figure out how to make it go?"
The short answer is you'll start to learn about something new in Ham radio. Analog repeaters are using 60 year old technology. They do it very well, and I appreciate what that is. But I also enjoy new technology. Looks you you do too, or you wouldn't have joined this email list. Get a D-Star dual bander for your truck. I bought a used 800H, but you may want a new 880H, or the 2-receiver 2820H. Get the programming cable and a program to manage the memories. Before going on a trip, program up a bunch of repeaters you will be encountering on the way, both D-Star and analog. You will have a bunch of fun. You may then decide to get a DV Dongle so you can talk to the D-Star crowd when you are home. Jim - K6JM ----- Original Message ----- From: earl_needham To: dstar_digital@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 4:44 PM Subject: [DSTAR_DIGITAL] Still the new guy! So -- I posted one message and the list just EXPLODED! I like that... But I'm so new that I'm not sure I know what to ask. D Star, as implemented here in the US does -- what? Repeater linking via internet? Pseudo APRS? Internet linking on 70 cm or something? Or perhaps all of these??? It appears the nearest D Star repeater to me is in Albuquerque or perhaps Los Alamos -- but as I said before, that isn't really a consideration because I drive cross-country in a truck, so Denver? Yep. Albuquerque? Occasionally. Phoenix? Uh-huh. In other words, I get around to places where there should be some D Star activity. So, if I purchase a new D Star dual-bander, what will it allow me to do that I can't do now??? And how long will it take me to figure out how to make it go? Thanks, Earl-- KD5XB -- Earl Needham Clovis, New Mexico DM84jk
