The Utah VHF Society - D-Star related links

The Utah VHF Society

D-Star page index

Utah VHF Society links related to D-Star:

Using conventional test gear to evaluate and test D-Star systems - This page covers some aspects of D-Star and analog signals and related test equipment that may make it easier to evaluate the performance of D-Star systems and links.
D-Star Channel Spacing recommendations - Recommendations of channel for D-Star analog channels
Observations of the codec used for D-Star - How does the codec used for D-Star respond if subjected to sounds other than those of the human voice? We decided to find out.

The following are FAQ's provided by the Utah VHF society. Note that these may topically overlap the links above:

Misc. links related to D-Star:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-STAR - This has a general overview of D-Star.
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/techchar/D-STAR.pdf - This document specifies various aspects of D-Star and its protocols.
http://www.ccarc.net/images/CCARC-Spectrum%20Committee%20Report-%20Rev%203.pdf - This is a document produced by the Colorado frequency coordination body discussing D-Star channel spacing.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dstar_digital - This group harbors discussions and information about D-Star.
Mark, N5RFX, has conducted similar Adjacent and Co-Channel testing, the results of which may be seen here: http://home.roadrunner.com/~mdmiller7/images/dv/ch_sp/Dstar_Co.pdf. Note that the equipment used, methodology, and the thresholds for various aspects of these tests are slightly different from those described on the Utah VHF Society page above, yielding slightly different results: The reader must take these differences into account before attempting to draw direct comparisons between these two sets of results.
http://dstarutah.org - The Utah D-Star group

For reports about the testing and implementation of digital voice systems by various public safety agencies, look at these links:

Digital Project Working Group Interim Report, May 2008 - A report by the International Association of Fire Chiefs about studies of analog and digital voice systems.
Phoenix Fire Department Radio System Safety report - This report contains detailed analysis by the City of Phoenix pertaining to real-world use of both analog and digital radio systems, linked from this page.
Radio problems during a fatal fire. This page contains a sobering example of a tragedy that can, in part, be attributed to shortcomings of the communications system may be found here and includes audio files and some brief analysis of what happened. Linked from Daryl Jones' blog. As with any blog, please use your judgment to weigh possible bias of the author and its effects of the facts.

Please note that some of the problems associated with digital, trunked systems do not necessarily apply to amateur radio implementations of digital voice technology. It is, however, well-worth the time for a designer of a radio network - amateur or professional - to become familiar with such systems and take advantage of lessons learned by others, applying them to system design, and to the training of those who are destined to use it!

The above lists are, by no means, exhaustive: Other information may be found via web searches.

Questions, updates, or comments pertaining to this web page may be directed to the frequency coordinator.

Return to the Utah VHF Society home page.

Updated 20080922