MDARC has updated our D-STAR repeater to to new equipment.? We are using a controller called Multi Mode Digital Voice Modem (MMDVM) and have initially enabled D-STAR, DMR and C4FM/YSF. Here are some details.
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The repeater, when idle, will listen for all enabled modes.? When it hears an inbound transmission, it will repeat that transmission and temporarily expect the response transmission to be in the same mode.? So if a D-STAR user calls out and someone responds (could be local, could be on a linked reflector), the repeater will listen up to 20 seconds just for D-STAR.? If the QSO ends and there is no response, then after 20 seconds, the repeater will go back to listening for D-STAR, DMR and C4FM/YSF.??
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In the above scenario, if a DMR user calls out and gets into a QSO, then the same process will happen.?
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Our hope is that no one DV mode will "take over" the W6CX DV repeater, but at the same time, users of all three modes will have fun using this wide-coverage repeater.? We will work with our members to ensure users of all enabled modes have a fair shot at using the repeater.
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Online Forums
MDARC has created a new Digital Voice forum called W6CX-DigitalVoice. We want to move current w6cx-dstar forum activity to this new forum.? Current subscribers will soon receive an invitation to join the new forum.? Others can ask to join at /g/W6CX-DigitalVoice/join .?
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D-STAR
For D-STAR, users are free to issue linking commands from their radios to link to any REF, XRF, DCS or XLX reflector they wish.??
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DMR
Our DMR system will be connected to the BrandMeister network. There will be one static talkgroup (Diablo 310606) on Timeslot 1 -- this TG is meant for users in the Mount Diablo region.? Users will, of course, be able to dynamically activate BrandMeister talkgroups of their choice.? PLEASE USE TIMESLOT 2 FOR DYNAMIC TGs.? Dynamic TGs will drop after 10 minutes of inactivity.
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C4FM
Our C4FM/YSF/Fusion mode is linked to YSF80280 - US-Contra-Costa - Wires-X80280.??
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Tip: Listen AND check your radio before calling out
There are many other MMDVM multi-mode repeaters operating in the world.? A well-known one is K6PUW in Southern California.? On Oat Mountain overlooking much of the Los Angeles basin, this repeater has 4 DV modes enabled, and users of all 4 modes have learned how to use it.? Key is that before calling out, they first check their radio to make sure the repeater is not busy.? All radios have a display showing if a signal is being received.? If we see the repeater is transmitting but we don't hear anything on our radio, then we'll know another mode is using the repeater right now.? K6PUW users just wait a while, check their radio and when the repeater is no longer busy, they call out with their favorite mode and radio.
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If you are new to the DV modes, we'll be happy to work with you to get going with whatever of our 3 modes you have chosen.? If you are a long-time DV user and have a suggested improvement to how the W6CX DV repeater should be managed or configured, please let us know.
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We'll be posting more info in upcoming notes.? Our goal is to allow our users to really enjoy these Digital Voice modes.? ?
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