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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[@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 KZbinr 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

[@Starlite4321]

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".

[@DucatiMTS1200]

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.

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@seaningram3285]

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.

[@gcopter1963]

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 KZbinrs 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!

[@ImHungryMK]

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

[@HomeSmartDesertRidge]

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

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Glad it was helpful!

[@911Hammer]

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

[@beowolfso.6096]

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

[@jasron6774]

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 grandmother......guess I’ll have to do it myself . On Rumble!!!

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Great idea. Post here when your done. I'd love to watch, especially the advanced uses topic! Cheers.

[@carlhendricksen5070]

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

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers

[@Abisynth]

Thank you so much for this great video. 73'

[@2023Red]

Super job!

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers

[@thomasmanson1119]

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

[@tony2wheelz408]

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.

[@GadgetTalk4U]

It seems to me that each of the digital modes has its own challenges and they can be difficult to master. The ID 52 seems to be a nice radio. Keep at it for find a fellow ham who uses DSTAR to help. I don't think your experience is unusual. When I've been away from my DSTAR radio for a while I have to dig out the manual to refresh my memory. Cheers.

[@nicolastassent567]

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

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Glad you liked it!

[@jimwillow4243]

@@GadgetTalk4U Agreed, well done. However maybe sit on your hands. Very distracting.

[@rogersykim007]

Thank you professor.....

[@amham48]

THANK YOU!

[@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.

[@TheC15jon]

Very helpful - thanks so much for sharing. 73 de M7JCG.

[@donwatkins9769]

Comments are interesting. For a new ham intro to dstar still leaves me NOT know what dstar is or how and why to use it.

[@GadgetTalk4U]

With all the digital modes there are similarities and important differences. My opinion is that the rise in these modes corresponded with the decline in HF band propagation for this long HF dry spell. Many still enjoy QSOs with international hams and digital modes are an easy way to enjoy them. What is your take? Thanks for watching and commenting

[@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.

[@cedial1]

I applaud everything you have said. Plenty of ham radio tutorials on KZbin make one want to scream. This tutorial is not one of them.

[@thomasmanson1119]

I just acquired a new IC-9700 and was wondering if you have made any videos on it relative to its use with D-STAR. Thanks, 73 Tom KC3QAC

[@n4lq]

Huh?

[@cedial1]

Would appreciate any coverage for using the ID-5100. Also, relating the setups described in this tutorial to the setups for my Windows 11 BlueDV app would be most helpful. The BlueDV app clearly contains much careful thought and work and is nicely behaved once you get into the head of its designer, but documentation .. what is that? For instance, the implications of choosing the various DSTAR flavors are not there. There is no obvious way to set UR, R1, and R2. As of now, the app is almost working but almost doesn't cut it. The app may well make some choices automatically.It seems that that would be very difficult to design into the app.

[@ben_r_]

Sigh, I wish we could still get the Kenwood TH-D74A.

[@indridcold8433]

This is so confusing that it is getting me interested in amateur radio. 73 de KBX-1339 the voice of Lillian Rifle school #31 (defunct) the youngest licensed operator of Hendricks Neighbourhood. 1980 to 1985

[@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.

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Sorry this started a ways beyond your present understanding. It's hard to pick a starting point without ending but with a very long video. Thanks for considering coming back later. All the digital modes can be confusing to start with. 73.

[@jamesoberg8912]

Need a visual board. Too many letters.

[@thelongislandguy]

So it’s not a radio, it’s a microphone connected to the Internet.

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Via radio.

[@bruhzooka]

And I thought D-Star was going to be easier than DMR. 🤦‍♂

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Too funny. These digital modes take some study. I have different mode radios and often get confused when switching between them. Now where's that manual?

[@DorisHaskell]

This video is out of sync at the beginning.