D-STAR Promotional Video

[presw]

This video should be remixed- the music is as loud or louder then the narrator. W2PW (WD2NY D-star)

[rasputinsdog]

Good stuff, and I'd love to try it, but it's just way, wayyyyyy too expensive. As long as ICOM holds the virtual monopoly on this, there's no reason for them to bring the price down. Don't get me wrong, either; I'm an 'ICOM' man. But there needs to be competition in this market.

[FamousTVvoice]

To mstax; No they dont, its just that the others (Yeasu, Kenwood, others) havent decided to get into it. Its the other companies that have left ICOM to seem exclusive to D-Star - which they're not! You either LOVE it or HATE it, there's no grey with it. I happen to LOVE it. Its NOT the same thing as IRLP or Echolink.

[mstax]

Does Icom own the patent or licensing rights to D-Star? The main resistance I have to this technology is that, at this time, only Icom seems to be making transceivers using it.

[SupremeRulahXenu]

@mstax DVSI owns the patent on D-Star's voice coding. There's a free replacement being worked on, called Codec 2. It's not a cracked version, but a new codec made from scratch, led by a guy who took his PhD on voice coding.

[SupremeRulahXenu]

@mstax Update: While the voice coding patent is owned by DVSI, I-Com does own the trademark "D-Star".

[FamousTVvoice]

I use and love D-Star but cant help but point out the irony of this video using images of Paris (@ 5minutes in) when D-Star is ILLEGAL in France!

[Iamcartmanxd]

@FamousTVvoice Really? What does France have against D-Star?

[Drdavidball]

Superb Video well done

Thanks

Dr David Ball

[BarryMung]

We have developed open source controller programs that allow you to use analogue radios as D-Star gateways and repeaters. There's even a fully software repeater controller program that uses cheap $1/£1 USB sound fobs.

You still need a D-Star radio however at each end ;-(

There is an add-on device that will convert an analogue radio to D-Star, but its as expensive as a new analogue radio.

[kd5exr]

What is the difference between D-Star ham radio gear, and an iPhone? How is a system that is only promoted by one company moving us forward? I like the idea of open source systems, which everyone can work on to improve. How can we move forward when we are relaying on only a few minds to come up with the technology? With a D-Star systems, will I be able to talk to people that still utilize analog systems?

[IC2720]

With the D-Star addition to the 2720, now 2820, the price almost doubled. I can't afford that kind of stuff. I prefer iCom, but I'm going to have to look at either Kenwood or Yaesu for a new HT or Mobil rig.

[MrD0740]

I love the features. It's not bad. But I hate the sound. After all D-Star depends on repeaters and the internet. What happens in an emergency case when the Internet is down. It's nothing special having long distance QSO's via the internet. Every young boy and girl does. HamRadio should always have big antennas to reach the whole world without any help by other technoligies like the internet. Think about it, when you abolish your SW-Equip because of D-Star. HamRadio should always run in any case

[VK3TQ1]

It appears that Hargendazs, has no idea when it comes to the differences between DStar and Echolink

D-Star technology is far superior to echolink and IRLP, there no numbers codes, its easier to use, the audio in 99% of cases is better and it suffers a lot less latency. Echolink is voice only, How can it be the same, Echo link doesnt have Dynamic data add ons like D-Star TV, DStar Comms, D-Rats, DPRS

Similtaneous Data & Voice, Please...Do your homework Rgs Peter

[kf6vgz]

ICOM is the only company supporting this technology. ???

[OK2BCK]

yep. codecrackers are working hard to bring open source version.

[hargendazs]

echolink has the same function

[wanderleypp2]

Congratulations for the video, very good! It is the future arriving among the amateuradio and with certainty it is a middle of very effective communication among the amateuradio of everyone. Thank you for the video! By PP2WY - BRAZIL.