Tricking your D74 or other Dstar Ham Radio for more features

If you programmed your openspot or other hotspot as a simple memory in you D-star radio, you may be happy because, it works. But what if you could fool your radio into thinking your hotspot was an actual D-Star Repeater? You'd unlock some additional features that will make your D-Star experience sooo much better. Here's how to do it.

[@daledervin3672]

The D74 is probably my last Kenwood radio after nearly four decades. I exclusively owned Kenwood HT's, and this thing is by far their best work, and most poorly documented product ever. I use it daily for DStar over the past three years with both a DVAP dongle, and a hotspot, but beyond these simple connections I have no real idea what else it's capable of. If there were no KZbin, I'd be upset at the purchase. I'm certain it has more capabilities, but even KZbin probably doesn't scratch it's surface, and I'll never know.

[@BLACKHEAT1028]

This information is gold. I would have never known about this or thought to do this if it weren’t for you, great video. I just got my D74 a little while ago and need hints and tricks like this.

[@K3RRR]

I'm really glad you came out with a separate great video on how to do this with the Kenwood D 74. You had originally mentioned this in an earlier video that I watched when I first bought my D 74 a couple of years ago. Sure enough, I had been doing it the easy way as a memory entry. Of course, then, I was a DSTAR newbie idiot. After two years, now I have moved up to being an experienced DSTAR imbecile. But I was able to follow your original advice and it made changing reflectors a piece of cake - and did not necessitate accessing the control panel on my iPhone, iPad or computer! I've even used the same K6UDA trick with my ICOM 9700 and looking forward to doing the same thing with my ICOM 705. Bob, YOU are appreciated! 73 de Robert K3RRR

[@robertw5iua938]

What about an Icom 7100 for doing this??

[@ManuelPinner]

I have the D75, FT5D, ID52,

[@edmatarazzo]

You forgot to mention that on the 5100 you have to set a 0 offset. To show in the DR mode "from field". With out the 0 offset it wont show.

[@robertchambers5821]

Hello Bob: If you ever do the Greatest Hits Vlogs, this should be the first one! I've been doing it wrong for so long. Thank you. 8P6RC

[@K6UDA]

Trust me, your not alone.

[@terrybaughman7939]

Can you do a video about using this feature. I’m a new ham and my only radio is a d74,, i am sure what each of the menu item do or cause to happen. I should tell you I have an openspot3. Thanks for your help.

[@K6UDA]

Which feature di you need help with?

[@terrybaughman7939]

@@K6UDA I would like to undrestand what Local CG, Gateway CQ, and Individual are and how and when they are used. I make my D74A work through and Openspot 3 and programmed with RT systems Caculator. I want to be more effective while traveling the country using VFO mode to connect and use local repeators. Hope this makes sense. I just received my Tech and Gen license in FEB and the virus has made making local contact difficult.

[@digitaldreamer5481]

Aloha Bob, I’m going to see if I can trick my Icom 880H to do this with my MMDVM Zumspot in a manual format to see if I can do this in the field on the fly..

[@K6UDA]

Todd, the 880h is a gen 2 device and works differently. The 4100 uses the same physical radio body but has the DR functionality.

[@user-mt2qn4yp8w]

That is cool Bob. How did you figure this out? 73 Clark KG7LOI

[@K6UDA]

I drink & I know things.

[@tomdiamantes]

Bob, did you hear that KZbin not longer sends email notifications of new videos? What a bummer. 73 KY4TD

[@K6UDA]

Doesn't surprise me.

[@robertchambers5821]

Go to your subscription page and look for the small red dots next to your interests. Saves on email space. All the best.

[@donwilbanks2226]

Chickenfoot!

[@TimothyBath]

Thanks for a Dstar video! I would note that the Icom radios must be in duplex mode. if your hotspot is simplex (most are) you replace the offset value with zeros. If you create a second entry for your hotspot under the Icom software’s DV Repeaters and make sure that entry has your latitude and longitude your hotspot will show up when you use the DR’s Near Repeater function. W7ROI

[@edmatarazzo]

I was quick to reply with the same reponse. I didnt go down the comment list before hamd.

[@forgetyourlife]

Buy a clothes pin, put it on your nose and boom! Your audio has gone digital.

[@jamesbucsis6296]

Nothing wrong with China Radios for 15% of the price