Alabama Repeater Link System, D-STAR

he enhancement of the Alabama Linked Repeater System is a goal of the ARRL Alabama Section. The ultimate idea is for Alabama to have a state-of-the-art, 24/7 statewide repeater system. This repeater system will connect amateur radio operators throughout the state, and be a vital mechanism linking agencies such as, National Weather Service, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, EMA’s and Red Cross during times of severe weather and disasters. This repeater system would work in conjunction with and supplement the existing statewide HF Alabama Emergency Net system on 3.965MHz.

Alabama amateurs are pioneering D-STAR and is a leader with new digital radio communications technology. Digital repeaters using D-STAR technology have been located throughout Alabama and can connect state amateurs together and the outside world via the internet.

This project is comprised of three parts, first, the Alabama ARRL project to upgrade and enhance the state wide linked repeater system. Second. this will provide more emergency communications capabilities of ARES, Southern Baptist, EMA’s and others and third this will help radio amateurs continue to be productive in radio innovations and amateur radio service. All three of these show the contribution and justify the use of amateur radio.

Radio clubs and groups throughout Alabama are considering adding a D-STAR repeater systems in their area. This is a great project for clubs and groups. Fund raising and the dedication to install and use this new technology will greatly benefit your club. Some clubs are finding that grants are available.

Digital is the future of radio communications and many advantages are being realized. Digital uses smaller bandwidth, is BPL tolerant, digital data transfer, GPS position, automatic IDs and more.

Alabama D-STAR Digital Repeater Project Status:

(listed in order of activation)

Huntsville, On the Air *Gateway Connected*

Repeater Call sign: KI4PPF
145.430 - C

443.375 + B
1284.000 -12MHz A
Data frequency: 1251.800 A

Pictures

Cheaha Mountain, Anniston Alabama, On the Air *Gateway Connected*

Repeater Call sign: WB4GNA
145.300 - C
442.425 + B

1285.000 -12MHz A (coming soon)

Data frequency: 1251.00 A

Pictures

Tuscaloosa, Hospital, On the Air *Gateway Connected*

Repeater Call sign: W4KCQ

146.605 - C

444.075 + B

1284.400 -12MHz A

Data frequency: 1249.000

Pictures

Huntsville, Experimental, On the Air *Gateway Connected*

Repeater Call sign: W4WBC
145.360 + C

443.325 + B
1282.50 -12MHz A
Data frequency: 1253.50 A

Magnolia Springs, On the Air *Gateway Connected*

Repeater Call sign: KI4SAZ

145.310 - C

444.300 + B

1285.00 -12MHz A

Data frequency: 1251.00 A

Pictures

Tuscaloosa, Tall Tower, On the Air

Repeater Call sign: W4TTR

145.350 - C

442.900 + B

1287.960 -12MHz A (coming soon)

Data frequency: 1248.200 A

Pictures

Birmingham, On the Air *Gateway Connected*

Repeater Call sign: K4DSO

145.410 - C
443.200 + B

1283.400 -12MHz A

Data frequency: 1250.00 A

Guntersville, On the Air

Repeater Call sign: KI4RYX

145.140 - C

Alabaster, On the Air

Repeater Call sign: N4RON

146.730 - A

442.075 + B

1293.000 -20MHz A

Data frequency: 1248.00 A

Fort Payne, On the Air *Gateway Connected*

Repeater Call sign: KI4SAY

145.440 - C

443.325 + B

1285.000 -12MHz A

Data frequency: 1251.00 A

Mobile, On the Air

Repeater Call sign: W4IAX

145.390 - C

444.900 + B

Montgomery, On the Air *Gateway Connected*

Repeater Call sign: W4AP

146.920 - C

other bands soon

Anniston, On the Air

Repeater Call sign: KJ4JGK

145.280 - C

443.350 + B

Birmingham, Experimental, On the Air

Repeater Call sign: KI4SBB

145.340 - C

443.975 + B

1282.500 -12MHz A

Data frequency: 1251.00 A

Talladega, On the Air *Gateway Connected*

Repeater Call sign: N4WNL

145.160 - C

You are invited to check in to the ALABAMA D-STAR Net on

*Tuesday night at 8:30 pm local time (CDT) *

This net started on the K4DSO repeater in Birmingham however we have expanded the coverage area using one of the D-STAR reflector ports. During recent nets we have had the Birmingham (K4DSO), Tuscaloosa (W4KCQ), Montgomery (W4AP), Huntsville (KI4PPF), Magnolia Springs (KI4SAZ), Mentone (KI4SAY), Atlanta (WX4GPB) and New Orleans (W5GAD) repeaters linked to a reflector so that everyone on all these repeaters can participate in the net.

(Other gateway'ed repeaters are invited to join the net by having the local gateway administrator link the repeater to REF002 - Module B. It would be helpful if this link can be established approximately 15 minutes before the net start time.)

To participate in the net, please follow these guidelines:

1. SET THE CALL SIGNS IN YOUR RADIO AS YOU WOULD FOR NORMAL LOCAL USE. (RPT1 = your local repeater port C; RPT2 = your local repeater gateway; and YOURCALL = CQCQCQ)

2. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT EVERYONE SET 'RPT2' to point to the appropriate gateway (K4DSO G, W4KCQ G, W4AP G, etc.). Without setting RPT2 to the gateway, you will not be heard by everyone on the net. Nobody beyond your local repeater will hear you.

3. DONGLE USERS: If you are checking into the net using a DONGLE, make your connection to 'REF002' Port B instead of to your local repeater. Only by connecting to the Reflector (REF002 port B) will all the net participants be able to hear you.

4. BEACONS & DATA TRANSMISSIONS DURING NET: During the net, please disable all automatic beacons and refrain from using slow speed data messaging. As has been seen during the last few weeks, the data transmissions almost guarantee doubling during a directed net. As we have all learned, digital transmissions are very unforgiving when it comes to doubling. The header information at the start of a transmission is critical for proper operation and this addressing information is sent only once at initial key up.

5. SLOW SPEED DATA DURING NET: Given that the D-RATS program has been used during the recent hurricane's, we will begin trying to pass some limited information via slow speed data as well as voice. This will give anyone that is interested a chance to get familiar with data usage in a net environment. If you would like to use the slow speed data, please download and install the latest version of D-RATS (version 0.2.6) from http://d-rats.danplanet.com/wiki/FrontPage. Note if you have installed a previous version, it is highly recommended that you upgrade to the latest version.

If you know of anyone that would like to be added to the distribution list for the weekly net reminder, please send their email address to wb4fay@wb4fay.com.

73,

Ken Adkisson - WB4FAY

Net Manager

The ID-1 can be configured to connect to the WAN and it works well. Here is a working example for the Huntsville KI4PPF repeater.

The D-STAR Position Reporting System (D-PRS) is interfaced with the Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS). The Huntsville D-STAR KI4PPF repeater will pass your GPS coordinate information via RF to the APRS existing network.

To use the system you will need to add a message command in your D-STAR radio's TX message area. Go to this site to compute the message command.