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> home > help on the air > d-star > overview

D-STAR Overview for Edmonton

The Northern Alberta Radio Club has recently established a series of D-STAR repeaters at its main Club site on the East side of Edmonton. The D-STAR repeaters will use the callsign VE6KM and will be co-located with the VE6HM analogue repeaters. The repeaters will be used in emergency situations as part of communications for the Health Authority. The D-STAR system consists of three voice repeaters on the 2m, 70cm and 23cm bands, together with 23cm data equipment. D-STAR stands for Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio and as its name implies uses digital signaling. Currently ICOM manufacture a number of 2m and 70cm transceivers which utilize digital technology though NARC understands that Kenwood will be marketing some D-STAR equipment in the not too distant future.

The use of digital technology permits much more functionality than analogue equipment. For example, users of D-STAR equipment can route calls to a distant D-STAR repeater, link direct to a friend if that friend is logged onto any D-STAR repeater in the World, send and receive location information, send live text messages, stream video and send their callsign by data while they are using voice.

Work was started on installing D-STAR repeaters on February 21. As of Tuesday March 10 the following sub-systems were operational:

  • The 70 cm repeater
  • The 2 m repeater
  • The Gateway - which links VE6KM to other D-Star repeaters around the World.

The 1.2 GHz voice repeater and the data equipment should be operational prior to the end of April.

Note that if you have D-Star equipment and wish to use the VE6KM Gateway you need to register with NARC to use the ICOM system for communication to other D-STAR repeaters. If you have D-STAR equipment and you want to register for the VE6KM Gateway for the ICOM network, please email dstar@narc.net and provide a) your name, b) your callsign, c) your email address and d) the equipment you are using.   

NARC wishes to thank the following members of the D-STAR team for getting the equipment operational and for ongoing support: Curtis VE6AEW, Dave VA6DAB, Dave VA7DN, David VE6DXX (project coordinator), John VE6BOS, Ray VE6RHS and Richard VE6LE. Others who helped during equipment installation included Bruce VE6SA, Gern VA6HGS, Glen VA6GWC, Paul VE6PDD, Randy VA6RC and Tracy VE6TJO.