D-Star In Essex

On this page, you’ll find some basic information about D-Star, and some handy information for those in and around Essex.

What is D-Star?

icom IC-E92D D-Star handheld
Icom IC-E92D D-Star handheld

Most amateur radio voice chat is analogue. D-Star is one of the relatively new Digital Voice (DV) modes.

D-Star is championed by manufacturer Icom. Other DV formats include DMR (Motorola and others) and Fusion (Yaesu)

D-Star offers some strong advantages over analogue voice:

  • Connectivity around the world using the Internet
  • Can be used to GPS positioning information
  • Automatic logging of callsigns, plus online logs of traffic
  • Digital audio quality
  • Option to set your radio to “Call Squelch”, so you will only receive calls for you.
  • Reflectors (Regional ‘chatrooms’)

 

Using D-Star

You’ll need a D-Star radio – they’re made by Icom, and they’re not cheap –  Prices for a typical D-Star handheld are around £300.

Setting up a D-Star radio can be tricky, as you are required to program extra settings for each repeater, and also set the radio to transmit your callsign in text format.

One of the benefits of D-Star, is that you can link your radio and your repeater to others over the Internet. You could be driving around Chelmsford, connected to the Danbury D-Star repeater, talking to someone driving around New York. Before you can use the Internet connectivity, you have to be registered on the D-Star network (See D-Star Registration in Essex)

 

D-Star Repeaters In/Around Essex

Here is a list of the D-Star repeaters in Essex, together with their settings.

Note that “RPT” columns contain two blank spaces, shown here as underscores.

Repeater Location Output Input Offset CTCSS Notes
GB7ZP Chelmsford 439.4875 430.4875 -9.0 N/A Run by ERG
GB7HH Romford * 439.7500 430.7500 -9.0 N/A Multi-mode
GB7CH Hainault * 439.6125 430.6125 -9.0 N/A Multi-mode
GB7TE Clacton 145.775 145.175 -0.6 N/A Run by Martello Tower Group

 

D-Star Gateways In/Around Essex

The following is a list of D-Star Gateways. A gateway is not the same as a repeater – it provides access to the D-Star network, and is simplex.

Note that “RPT” columns contain two blank spaces, shown here as underscores.

Repeater Location Output Input Offset “YOUR” “RPT 1” “RPT 2”
MB6CE Chelmsford 144.8625 144.8625 0.00 CQCQCQ MB6CE__C MB6CE__G
MB6ZZ Basildon 144.8125 144.8125 0.00 CQCQCQ MB6ZZ__C MB6ZZ__G
MB6SE Shoebury 144.850 144.850 0.00 CQCQCQ MB6SE__C MB6SE__G
MB6CL Clacton (70cm) 430.1875 430.1875 0.00 CQCQCQ MB6CL__B MB6CL__G
MB6DS Clacton (2m) 144.8375 144.8375 0.00 CQCQCQ MB6DS__C MB6DS__G

 

Icom IC-E92D Information

How to set the E92D to transmit APRS data using the optional GPS mic: gb7wc.ukace.co.uk/D%20APRS.htm

 

Handy Links

Got a question on D-Star in Essex? Please ask below…

9 Comments

  1. Terry Blackmore G1XXV 27 June 2017 Reply
  2. Martin 7 April 2018 Reply
    • Malcolm M0GXZ 4 November 2019 Reply
  3. Brian G0VGC/G7MOY 11 August 2019 Reply
  4. Stephen 27 September 2020 Reply
  5. Lawrence Parkes 25 January 2021 Reply
    • Kit 17 April 2021 Reply
      • Laurie Parkes 20 April 2021 Reply
  6. Richard 2EOTUD 7 April 2021 Reply

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *