D-STAR worldwide contacts using Kenwood TH-D74a handheld ham radio

Using my Kenwood TH-D74a handheld ham radio's D-STAR feature to make contacts. D-Star digital voice allows worldwide communications with just a Technician class ham license

[@MrBracey1970]

Thanks for this,I’ve just bought a D74,can’t wait to learn what it can do!

[@MrScotchpie]

Nice explanation. In the UK I'm a Foundation Licence holder - similar to your technician but we can use up to 10w SSB on HF. Even so my shack is mostly digital. I did have three HF base stations but will be selling two, keeping my FT991A which has Fusion. I also have a DMR handheld and like you I'm also using a hotspot. Don't forget too Network Radios - an Android system that you can install Echolink and Peanut on as well as Zello where I was surprised to find a lot of Hams! No wonder 2m is dead lol. Today the opportunities for all Hams regardless of licence to talk around the world is amazing. Keep up the good videos please. Andrew M7AGG

[@kennethslodowski8824]

Enjoy your videos! Just purchased the same radio you used in this video and looking toward enjoying D - Star! Keep up the Great Videos! 73's

[@RW-ce8kp]

An excellent and concise demonstration! Thanks for posting this. I've been interested in D-star for quite some time. Now I'm definitely going to pursue it! 73! Rob, AE4X

[@davidschwartz9636]

Thanks for making this so very helpful video Brian. I have an Icom 9700, which is a brilliant radio and I'd like to start using the D-Star facilities on it. I spent a long time searching on the internet to find out how D-Star works and what else I needed. Man, do most of the other sites make it so complicated, I nearly gave up on the D-Star idea! Then I watched your really helpful video, and now all has become really clear and I understand. Once again thank you so much, your helpfulness and advice has / will enabled me to try out a new branch of our wonderful hobby. I've noted down your call sign, and will give you a call when I'm up and running. Regards to you and your family Brian, all the best to you, David M0XQZ.

[@josebrivera1716]

I like and have D-Star. It’s a very nice mode. But I don’t get at all excited about long distance contacts because contacts are done via the internet and not via RF. You got to keep things in perspective.

[@VideosfromNH]

Nice demo. A while ago I used an Icom DStar portable with DV Access Point and a Raspberry Pi to listen to a Net on Sunday nights(reflector 31 I think). It was interesting to hear the conversation and see data pop up on my computer screen when the radio was connected to it.

[@bodacious2276]

Nice, You made a contact with Boomhauer.

[@steelers4srilanka]

Your message reaches Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 73 sir and thank you for the video.

[@electrotab]

Hey Brian. I’m new to ham and have just bought my first d star radio (th-d74). Could you please do an in depth tutorial on setting up and using d star. Thank you.

[@rick15666]

I bought one two and never learned how to use it :(( Need a proper elmer or something

[@chadgoff4878]

Excellent video and demonstration. Very informative. Thanks for posting.

[@HamRadioInAction]

Thanks for the kind comment and for watching.

[@watchmanmichael2023]

Awesome Video Brother, Great Job.🎺😊👍

[@alvarogaitan2529]

very nice Brian introduction to dstar very good video my friend 73

[@davidsradioroom9678]

A nice little introduction to DSTAR. thanks.

[@vahpr]

Good video thanks Brian. Any chance you could do a dstar setup video for the D74? Maybe show how to set it up for local repeater/other repeaters (not sure the correct term for this) and reflectors? Thanks again, 73; kg4imx

[@willparker2176]

Thank you for the video! I'm new to this (still stufying) looking for some active folks or clubs to learn from if any advice. I'm east of Atlanta down 20 in Walton County.

[@GJ0KYZ]

That was an excellent and informative video. Thanks for posting it. 73 de GJ0KYZ.

[@Chinese080808]

Hi Brian! Thanks for your video. Where did you get your openSPOT from and it is expensive?

[@jtshannon]

Nice. You got someone near me. 73, KN4YDF Duuuval

[@atomantic]

I'd love to know what antenna you have swapped in place of the default

[@Emmanuel-ni1vp]

I ordered mine

[@keekdachoseone7]

What does everyone like the best d star dmr p25 or nxdn or fusion

[@mikeogden5256]

Yeah I like it

[@smithsterj]

There is another digital format coming to amateur radio. Ham radio 2.0 released a video short video explaining the new mode.

[@txpatriot7044]

Ok, so I just need internet access to make this work....my truck has the option to get internet...will that work? do I need an acount etc? a 101 for dummies. would be GREAT

[@petbytes7167]

Nearly 10 minutes of video but you don't show how to set up that HT for D-Star.

[@enriquediaz7547]

Can it monitor dstar, vhf/uhf simultaneously? Thx!

[@HamRadioInAction]

Yes!

[@taylorbauer8661]

I absolutely cannot connect to anyone and its driving me nuts. I am 13 miles from 2 digital repeaters, I could listen to a conversation from a digital repeater 19 miles away. My radio does not show the icon to let me know if my signal is even reaching the repeater or not.

[@joee2047]

My issue is in my area we have mostly fusion repeaters

[@HamRadioInAction]

You can always invest in a hot spot.

[@mattsmithdoctorrules2256]

@@HamRadioInAction do you have some social media where i can contact you? i have some questions for you.

[@aviationnationhd3760]

Anyone interested? I have one with an extra battery, several antennas, desktop rapid charger and carry case. I lost interest in it..

[@aviationnationhd3760]

There are 4... Dstar, DMR, Fusion and P-25

[@lynncrow7704]

Sounds like a mode I would enjoy using. My call is KI4TPQ. 73

[@gblan]

You coulda done the old Roger, Roger.

[@jamieb9556]

I have a icom 2820 every person i hear on d-star sound garbled.

[@shaungilmartin1505]

so that's why they call it dalek star

[@HamRadioInAction]

R2D2 is a common problem on DSTAR.

[@CoolOldBiker]

So basically expensive skype for older guys lol

[@zerocooljpn]

I really can't tell anything the guy responding is saying...

[@sebastianm9908]

It's called telephone.

[@mitch5077]

So only negative would be if the internet went down.

[@HamRadioInAction]

Even if, you could still use analog radio, and Dstar over the local repeater or simplex in normal UHF VHF range.

[@mitch5077]

@@HamRadioInAction Oh ok, so doesn't turn it into a Brick.

[@HamRadioInAction]

@@mitch5077 correct, you just couldn't talk to people on other side of the planet.

[@Buttons841]

The Internet wouldn't go down as a whole. It might become very fragmented in an emergency, but it would likely still provide long distance connections between some cities, most likely.

[@mitch5077]

@@Buttons841 EMP will fry everything that has a semi conductor will fry. I hold FCC licensing and am quite aware of what magnetics can do unless the electronics are shielded in a faraday cage. I worked with Military Electronic Switch's for Submarines.

[@radiohobbyist13]

The older hams in my area run everything and they are afraid of digital. They won't promote anything that they can't have total control over because of their egos. Sadly, we won't have digital in my area until the "old guard" dies off.

[@HamRadioInAction]

That’s a shame. My club actively looks for ways to engage younger people, and is welcoming to all. You could always pickup a hotspot to do digital modes whenever and wherever you want.

[@radarwill]

No-Code at it's finest!

[@mitch5077]

I did Novice then Tech so I was concidered a Tech Plus, not sure if that applies anymore. Maybe I'm just a Tech without any kudos for completing Novice.

[@spiritzweispirit1st638]

Wow' 5 or 6 Different Roads in Total'? That All Go To The Same Store?-'Ok- Cept'Just Gotta Get Used To The Digital Audio! Everyone Sounds Like Smurff With A Cold Talking Into a Soup Can - With a Hair'lip😶👍 - Tech Gets Better with Time!- Hopefully

[@danivanon]

If the world goes to shit, won't the infrastructure for this system be non-functional? I don't know much about HAM but I thought a big selling point was that it will work when all else fails.

[@radiohobbyist13]

If the internet crashes you could still talk local communications through your local DSTAR repeater if you have one. You can even use simplex, direct radio to radio communication with NO repeater using a base station, mobile or handheld radio. But if it comes down to that scenario, I'd rather use good old-fashioned FM simplex for the better audio quality (no robot voice).