Introduction to D-Star

D-Star is one of three primary digital voice systems used in Amateur Radio. In this video we'll take a look at how it works so you'll be better positioned to get started using your new D-Star radio.

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ICOM ID-31A Plus

Icom ID 4100A

Kenwood Original TH-D74A

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[meanderingmakeroutdoor]

Oh my goodness, if there was an Emmy for "Most - and Possibly Only - D-Star Explanation Video on the Internet" you would win it hands down. This is literally the only video I've seen that has made any sense at all, and you didn't even have to have a second YouTuber on a second screen so you could chat to each other for 25 mins before actually starting to talk about the topic. THANK YOU SO MUCH! 73 de KI5NJM

[Starlite]

Excellent video - thanks ! Just a note: "RPT2" is covered at 6:40. The two options, "Gateway" and "Local" are described. For those wondering what to input for "RPT2" for "Local" (not mentioned here), simply set "RPT2" equal to "RPT1".

[DucatiMTS]

Finally someone using a measured and logical flow to explaining the subject. This has made D-Star so easy to understand. Thanks for being an awesome teacher. 73 de GI8WFA.

[ImHungryMK]

5 minutes in so far and you have answers a ton of my questions. This is dstar gold.

[gcopter]

Man, where were you? Wish I've seen your videos back when I've got my ticket. Admittedly, not long ago (2016).
Started out with DMR and a borrowed code plug. DMR is way too complicated, IMHO, more restrictive to use, unlike Yaesu Fusion or DSTAR.
DMR, maybe cheap and plentiful but, again, IMHO, ought to have remained in the commercial / business, realm.

I've also dabbed in YSF and DSTAR. I'm now at a point where I want to return to amateur radio, after taking a break listening to scanners and HF.

But, searching YT for videos on digital modes and amateur radio, I'd really like to give you props, of ALL of the YouTubers out there who post regularly and have high subscriber rates, you sir, I take my hat off to you, have a style / way to explain things, that makes it SO much easier to understand.

No music, no meaningless or distracting pictures or graphics, solid audio, easy to follow train of thoughts, no jumping to one thing from another; everything follows an easy natural progression throughout.

Can't give you enough likes, keep it up!

[seaningram]

My first Icom D-STAR was the 880H. I still have the 880H. I like the 3 display colors of either Green, Amber, or Yellow. The ID-5100 just has a backlit display with no color. Good video explaining the Programming of the "elements" used by D-STAR.

[ACEFDD]

Thanks. This was really helpful to fill in all the bits I missed elsewhere. Most other tutorials miss all the in between bits so they almost make sense but not quite. Nice approach explaining how/why things are done and that the modern radios are really just filling in letters and spaces when you're using the menus.

[HomeSmartDesertRidge]

Very informative and detailed video. To the point with helpful charts showing what other screens look like. Nicely done very professional.

[beowolfso.]

Thank you for the explanation. Now I understand why my radio wasn't connecting.

[tonywheelz]

The learning curve is so big with d star. Ive had my new id-52 for a few weeks and try to learn a few things every day. So far, no contacts and finding myself less and less interested in it. Hopefully, ill get it soon.

[carlhendricksen]

Great work, thank you! Provided background information on so many aspects that others seem to assume you already know!

[Hammer]

Best DStar video I have seen. Would love to hear an update with the ID52!

[nicolastassent]

Very nice explication, finally someone with tutorial skills!
73 de ON4TQ Belgium

[Abisynth]

Thank you so much for this great video. 73'

[eskwadrat]

D-Star assumes people who use it know it all. Even before they learn about it which obviously is impossible. Even the Dstarinfo website does not contain clear enough introduction with at least one chart which would explain architecture of D-Star repeater definition convention, relation to user functions, etc. It's like a embedded Linux in computer world. Gozillion YT videos and setting and use case examples on the web with zero "why-to-do-this-step" type info and close to none of the actual tutorials that would make sense.

[jasron]

We’re getting closer here....everyone, apparently (including me), is still hunting for the video playlist that starts with an overview of the DStar architecture, moves in baby steps to setting the radio up to operate on the architecture, then a video on making simple contacts and finally a video on exploiting advanced DStar capabilities. All these videos should be dumbed down as though your discussing it with your I’ll have to do it myself . On Rumble!!!

[thomasmanson]

THANKS! THIS VID WAS REALLY REALLY HELPFUL. I’M A FAN!

[AlrightSatellite]

Really fantastic video, thank you. One thing I never see addressed in discussing digital modes is the question of etiquette. For instance, if I tune over to a local repeater how do I know it's ok to go about unlinking it and linking it somewhere else? I wouldn't want to disrupt usage already in progress.

[DARTHDANSAN]

Interesting very confusing but very interesting.

[CmdrPaws]

Based on the title of this video, I was expecting an introduction to D-Star... this is NOT an introduction... Valuable information I'm sure, but I'm going to need to find something better and come back here when I need the in-depth information because at present, I've watched your video and I have no clue what you're talking about other than the fact that D-Star is a digital protocol for transmitting audio.