About
John Hays is a technology junkie with a keen interest in amateur radio, computer networks, computing, and most any electronic gadget. He lives near Edmonds, WA with his lovely bride, youngest son, and a cocker spaniel.
He works as an information technology executive with an Internet based purveyor of labels.
He is the proud father of 4 sons, and grandfather to 2 beautiful little girls.
Hi John,
I started reading some of your web postings on D-Star. I picked up my first D-Star radio last month and have talked to you once or twice on REF014C. I have a small side business making repeater control systems called Sierra Radio Systems. We designed and build the control systems to run the Cactus Intertie, the largest RF linked ham radio repeater network on the planet. Having built analog repeaters for decades and control systems for the last five years it occurred to me that it would be interesting to look at how D-Star or similar technology would be applied to conventional FM repeaters and linking. Some obvious applications include
1. Bridging / interoperability between a analog and digital repeater port.
2. Using digital radio (Satoshi board modem + good old conventional FM radio) to replace analog links with digital links that don’t degrade audio and can pass control signals digitally as well.
3. Leverage low cost modems (Satoshi) and new D-Star software (G4ULF, hotspot, etc) to make D-Star more widely available.
Anyway you get the picture.
I would appreciate any thoughts you have on the subject.
’73 de George KJ6VU
Hi George,
Glad to hear from you. I will send you an email with some of my thoughts, but I will make two general observations:
1. D-STAR is fundamentally different than analog to VOIP systems and there are many who do not want them to mix on a day to day basis, be sensitive to that. ( See my post http://k7ve.org/blog/2009/03/d-star-fundamental-differences-with-traditional-voip-repeater-linking/ ) Though I think almost everyone would agree with “emergency interconnect”.
2. We need more solution developers in the fray and I would encourage you to find the right niche or combination and go for it.
– John K7VE