On Dec 16, 2019, at 6:23 PM, Tim via Groups.Io <k6biv@...> wrote:
Hello Mike:
Neither NorCal DMR or BrandMeister has anything to do with the decision to move the W6CX D-Star repeater to a ¡°full service¡± Digital repeater. The only issue is that it stays Narrowband in order to keep the NCDCC Coordination.
My best guess is MDARC should look to see how much D-Star traffic is using the W6CX D-Dtar Repeater and make the decision based on a usage study.
As I understand the ¡°multi-mode¡± model, it can only use one mode at a time.
Tim
K6BIV
On Dec 16, 2019, at 5:58 PM, Michael Warren <mwarren2@...> wrote:
Hi Jim,
I have been using DMR from my base station for a little over 2 years. Originally via K6MDD and then switching to a Shark openSPOT which gives me more reliable DV coverage here in east county. I also use the openSPOT for System Fusion via my FT-991 as there are no C4FM repeaters available in our area. I for one would definitely like to see another DV ¡°full service¡± repeater on the mountain. I don¡¯t have any experience using our current North Peak machines from south county, but I have heard a number of complaints from those in the shadow of the main Mt. Diablo peak. Having said that, I think it would also be prudent to include DMR in the mix on South Peak, as those wishing to use DMR in south county surely have? more trouble with K6MDD than I out here in God¡¯s country. If we have the funding and the go ahead from Brandmeister, NORCAL-DMR and/or C-Bridge, I say GO FOR IT. I personally would love to talk with more NORCAL HAMS!
We are indeed fortunate to have a digital voice repeater up on the South Peak of Mt Diablo.? Our current repeater was set up in 2012 and consists of ICOM radios, an ICOM controller and an intel PC running ICOM gateway software.
The DV/digital voice segment of our hobby has been hard at work creating multi-mode hardware and software.? The best software is open source and free.? The most popular is written by Jonathan Naylor, G4KLX.? He actually came out to the Bay Area for Pacificon 2018 and made a couple of presentations about multi-mode.
I would like feedback on whether there is interest in upgrading our equipment to support not only D-STAR, but Yaesu Fusion and P25.? The solution could also support DMR, but given that the K6MDD DMR repeater is on North Peak, DMR would not be necessary for W6CX.? Basically, the current D-Star equipment and software on South Peak would be replaced with multi-.mode equipment.??
The objective would be two-fold -- better utilize the frequency pair used by the current W6CX-DStar repeater? by getting more users to use it, and provide a high-quality capability on Mt Diablo that supports a variety of DV modes, possibly encouraging more hams to give DV a try.??
Any decision to move forward would be made by the club, with focus on the Technical Committee.? But before I make any proposal to them, I am interested in member and user input.
I am aware I'm posting on a D-Star group.? If you know people who have Fusion or P25 radios who might be interested in this issue, please either have them contact me directly and I will post their thoughts here, or perhaps have them join this?list.
PS:? The Los Angeles basin has a multi-mode DV repeater -- K6PUW on Oat Mountain.? It currently handles D-STAR, DMR, P25 and Fusion.? It has been quite successful.? ???