Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) using D-STAR

KE7FTE, N7QQU and W9ERT show us the "drag and drop" flexibility of the Icom D-STAR System. Offering reliable exchange of large image files, email, word-processing and other files that emergency responders and served agencies find invaluable.

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[kvesterling]

Uhh, regarding the security concern question above. Nothing is preventing you from using some semblance of Layer 3 VPN encryption across the D-Star network, so you have the flexibility to be as secure as you need to be. As far as the comment about the codec providing security, I say this, "Security through obscurity is not security, it's merely an obstacle."

[W7NWH]

- you bring up an interesting point - but not sure if legal for hams to do so? We're not allowed any codes or cyphers in our communications so even if it is possible? But excellent point if an official wants to make credit card purchases, etc. I can see the need for encryption in disasters, or while under duress, etc.

[Yessj]

What's the range on this thing? It looks quite similar to a wireless peer to peer lan!

[W7NWH]

One big difference HAMS can use greater power with a upside of distance and robustness. Hams can use up to 1500 watts of power. Where your local wireless network is measured in millawatts to watts. With high gain antennas and lots of power ranges can exceed 50-80 miles. And that's peer to peer! Try that with your wireless LAN! Idea is this can provide emergency backbone for a LAN that is down in an emergency. Not super fast, just robust and proven!

[othrower74]

The only thing I see as a problem is what about security? You know passwords and things of that nature. If this is over the radio then anyone can pick up the data.

[W7NWH]

That is correct! If you wish to keep things secure you must use a commercial carrier. The fact that it uses a rather hard to obtain codec and is digital provides a high degree of security inherit in the system. However, you must assume that on ham radio that nothing is truly "secure". That's just the way it is. My suggestion is don't go anywhere using such a system that might compromise your security - bank accounts, etc. This is HAM RADIO - not a free service for the general public!

[Senegal01]

Having my CSCE and waiting for my call sign to show up on the FCC page is giving me more gray hair! Then the hunt for a radio system, and so many out there, but I really like this D-STAR system.........let the fun begin......

[blackowl6]

I really am interested in this technology and look forward to future advancement in knowledge of these systems,so as to be of real service to society and to help deal with hi-tech issues in the future...........JASON........­......

[Gustavo Rodriguez]

seria bueno ver tantos equipos en una situacion de emergencia.

es una demostracion del dinero que hay en otros paises.

saludos

[messy moody]

great job guys,could you tell me where I can get the bumper sticker that you have that says"radio communications" our club would love to get some of these for our radio van and vehicles.please let me know

thanks again

[Max Perez]

so you guys are transmitting data over the air? i gotta say, ham radio never ceases to amaze me.

Stay Safe guys!!

[Andrew Sommers]

Man, I feel old skool with my V8000. :)

[VO1XH]

Great video guys,D-STAR will be set up here in St.John's Newfoundland in the near future and from all the demos and videos I have seen it will give hams such as myself who are involved with ARES A lot of flexibility.73,good luck, Don,VO1XH ARES A.E.C

[DJSEBLAST]

good thing