[CTxDSstar] Open linking on K5CTX and W5HAT

[ke5c]

Hi All (UR=CQCQCQ)!

Twice at least we have spoken about reflectors.  As we progress with our 
understanding and comfort, a further test with open (anyone can do it) 
linking and unlinking via K5CTX and W5HAT has commenced.  Unless this 
leads to problems, access will remain open.  I'll copy my prior 
explanation and comments, but a few new points:

- You can't beak anything by doing this.  You can't erase any computer 
memory, short circuit any radios, or annoy the FCC (so far as we know).

- You could possibly annoy someone, but welcome to ham radio.  Either 
they will get over it or you will.

- All actions are logged, and it's pretty easy to identify malicious 
use, so experiment or make dumb mistakes, but don't deliberately screw 
things up.

- Linking and unlinking works hugely better if you have a bank of 
preprogrammed memories with each memory having RPT1="K5CTX^^B" (or W5HAT 
or another band-module - A or C) and UR to include the reflectors their 
their "band-modules" that you wish to use, e.g:

   UR=CQCQCQ for whatever repeater-band modules you will use (K5CTX^^B, 
W5HAT^^C, etc.).

   UR=^^^^^^^U - to unlink
        where caret ^ represents a space character, i.e. "U" in the 
eighth
        DS callsign position.  The first seven do not matter.

   UR=REF001CL - those are zeros, not "oh's"

   UR=REF001BL

   UR=REF001AL

   UR=REF002CL

   UR=REF002BL

   etc., etc.

- Commands (UR's as above) only work when the repeater modules are 
unkeyed.  You cannot drop a link when some is talking (perhaps talking, 
talking, and still talking...).

- You can talk to folks who are comfortable with linking to get some 
help or tips - NU5D, KE5C, N5JLL and others.  Basically you transmit the 
link request with UR as above to link, then change to a memory with 
UR=CQCQCQ to chat, then change UR to "^^^^^^^U" and transmit once to 
unlink - then again change back to CQCQCQ.  Please don't leave your 
radio set to a link or unlink command.

- Have fun AND TELL SOMEONE ELSE ABOUT IT!

73 -- John

repost below:

----- REFLECTORS -----

The DStar community is in the alpha stages of developing reflector 
"etiquette", and sometimes things are a mess, so be patient.  My last 
posting (see archive link at bottom of this message) discussed this a 
bit, but you can never hear it too much, and following these comments is 
a repost that NU5D sent my way from a UK group.  While the gateway calls 
are different, the substance of that post applies completely to us. 
When operating a gateway linked to a reflector (and you don't always 
know right away if that is the case -  we are working on that), consider 
the following suggestions:

1) keep your transmissions shorter, perhaps 15 to 30 seconds maximun due
to the possibility you may be colliding with another station., and if
so, the longer you talk, the longer no one can hear.

2) always direct someone else whom you know to be listening to "take it"
from you otherwise two or three people key up at once.

3) pause before you transmit 3 to 5 seconds, even if you were directed
to transmit by someone else.  A third party may need to get in.

4) after three to five transmissions, while you are in control, ask if
anyone else wants in and pause 10 or so seconds to give them a chance.

5) if a dongle links in and tries to talk to you, ask them to disconnect
and reconnect directly to the reflector.  Otherwise they won't hear
anyone on the reflector although they will still hear you.

These are just ideas to mull.  As you listen, you can tell some folks
don't do any of these...

K5CTX and W5HAT activity are monitored at:

http://www.bosshardradio.com/g2/

Take some time to watch this and listen to the repeater/gateway at the
same time.  You can tell when a reflector is linked very easily by the
appearance of a reflector "call".  Every time a transmission is made (as
long as you have set RPT2=K5CTX^^G or W5HAT^^G) a record of that will
appear - including kerchunks, hi hi.

Okay, here's another explanation of dplus and reflectors:

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [dstar-kent] GB7DX & GB7FK Update
Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 07:53:05 -0000
From: Declan Mc Glone

All,

Thought it was worth giving everyone an update on a few recent
developments that will enhance the functionality of both GB7DX and
GB7FK.

Some updated software, its called dplus in case you're wondering, has
now being installed on both Gateway Servers which allows linking of
repeaters. Its possible to link one repeater to another eg GB7DX
linked to GB7FK, or you can also link to a Reflector, this acts as a
central point where multiple repeaters/dongle users can gather and all
talk to each other. I participated in a World Wide Net on Sunday, the
objective of the net was to see how many Repeaters and Dongle Users
could connect to a Reflector and to see what sort of capacity it could
take. There were 27 Repeaters, and 15 Dongle users connected. The
system performed perfectly, and no performance issued were noted. So,
this is Multicasting on a much larger scale.

There are 5 Reflectors. You might see them referred to as REF001,
REF002, REF003.........etc In addition all the Reflectors have three
Modules, A,B or C. So for example, the World Wide Net took place on
REF001 C. The main UK Reflector is REF005 A. Having Repeaters linked
to each other, or being connected to a Reflector does not impact on
other stations connecting up to your local repeater. However if
someone connects, they will be heard on all linked
Repeaters/Reflectors. The linking is currently done

The key thing to remember to make all this work, is to set your RPT 2
field to G. For example in the case of users on GB7FK,

Your CQCQCQ
RPT 1 GB7FK  B
RPT 2 GB7FK  G

This way you will be heard by all stations connected to the Reflector
or by all stations connected to the linked Repeaters. This should be
your standard setting for working your local Repeater. One of the
things you should remember is that you might turn on your radio and
not realise that you are connected up to a Reflector/Repeater, so if
you put a call out don't be surprised if you get a reply that you
weren't expecting. We are still getting used to this new
functionality, so far its working very well, and as things develop
further functionality may be added.

[-----snip-----]

Regards,

Declan.