D-STAR System Introduction
Long Distance Communications. At Your Finger Tips
The biggest appeal of D-STAR is long distance communication over the Internet gateway through repeaters.
Even with a handheld radio, you can communicate with a friend in another city or country with clear audio.
You can access to your local repeater and route to a different repeater, even from the opposite side of the earth.
What is D-STAR?
The term D-STAR is Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio.
It is an open protocol for digital communications established by JARL (Japan Amateur Radio League).
Digital Modulation For Clear Audio
As the digital voice incorporates GMSK modulation with AMBE™’s Forward Error Correction, the result is clear intelligible audio with digital clarity using only 6 kHz occupied bandwidth*. It provides clearer audio than analog FM mode without typically increasing white noise level at the fringes of the communication range.
* Emission designator: 6K00F7W.
Routing and Linking
One of the great features of D-STAR is the user’s ability to talk anywhere they want via call sign commands. With the basic call sign routing, you can route your communications to a specific user or repeater. You are not required to know where repeater the person you want to communicate with is located.
For those repeaters running dplus software, you have the capability of linking to another repeater or a group of repeaters through a reflector. Reflectors are a great way to meet new people and have communications with a group of users from all over the world at the same time.
Integrated GPS Receiver
The ID-51A/E PLUS2, ID-31A/E PLUS, ID-5100A/E, ID-4100A/E and IC-705 have an integrated GPS receiver. The radio shows your current position and altitude on the display, and offers a position reporting function, in the DV mode. When receiving a call addressed to your call sign, the radio can automatically send your current position information*1. Using the integrated GPS*2 and repeater memories, the radio searches for nearby DV or analog FM repeaters.
*1 Function not available on all D-STAR networks.
*2 To use the Repeater Search function, the position data of the repeater is required. The radio will be shipped with D-STAR repeater memories preprogrammed, but the position data of some D-STAR repeaters may not be entered or exact.
Terminal Mode and Access Point Mode
The Terminal mode and Access point mode enable you to make D-STAR calls through the Internet, even from areas where no D-STAR repeater is accessible by RF signal.
Terminal Mode
Connect a D-STAR radio (either ID-31A/E PLUS, ID-51A/E PLUS2, ID-4100A/E, IC-705 or IC-9700) to the Internet through a PC or Android™ device, and send your voice and/or data through the Internet gateway to a destination repeater.
Access Point Mode
Use an ID-31A/E PLUS, ID-51A/E PLUS2, ID-4100A/E, IC-705 or IC-9700 radios connected to the Internet through a PC or Android™ device, as an Access point. You can use another D-STAR radio to send your voice and/or data through the Access point radio, and communicate with D-STAR stations all over the world.
Terminal/Access point mode software
| <RS-MS3A> for Android: | Download free on Google Play |
| <RS-MS3W> for Windows: | Download free on the Icom website |
UDP Hole Punch Function
The UDP Hole Punch function enables Access Point mode or Terminal mode communication (limited function), even if you cannot forward port 40000, or a Global IP address is not assigned to your device. This function is convenient when you are using a free Wi-Fi hotspot.
DD Mode Operation (for IC-9700)
DD mode is a 128 kbps data mode in a 10 W mobile package on the 23 cm band. It is possible to connect to the Internet via gateway. You can browse the homepage by connecting a personal computer.
RS-MS1A/RS-MS1I Remote Control Software
The RS-MS1A and RS-MS1I allow you to connect the Digital transceiver with an Android™/iOS™ device and remotely control various functions and settings from the Android™/iOS™ device. You can take pictures with your iOS™ or Android™ device, or use stored pictures, and share them over the DV mode.
Remote Control software
| <RS-MS1A> for Android: | Download free on Google Play |
| <RS-MS1I> for iOS: | Download free on App Store |
* An optional Bluetooth® unit (UT-133A or UT-137) or a data cable (OPC-2350LU) is required. Not all functions are usable with the IC-7100.
* Some functions may not work properly, depending on Android™/iOS™ phones and devices used.
* Photo shows RS-MS1A
Send, receive and show pictures, the IC-705 and IC-9700 do it all
Pictures stored on your smartphone or other device can be sent through the IC-705/IC-9700. Using the ST-4001A/I/W picture utility software, you can select a picture to be sent, and then transfer it to the IC-705/IC-9700 through a LAN. The IC-705/IC-9700 does the rest. Image data is transmitted during voice communication, or transmitted in the DV fast data mode, by pressing a button on the display, too. The IC-705/IC-9700 can also show the received picture on its LED display.
Picture Utility Software
| <ST-4001A> for Android: | Download free on Google Play |
| <ST-4001I> for iOS: | Download free on App Store |
| <ST-4001W> for Windows: | Download free on the Icom website |
Screen shots of the ST-4001A
Picture TX setting screen on the IC-9700
TX Picture setting screen on the IC-9700
Note for the Terminal mode and Access point mode:
- Before operating in the Terminal mode or the Access Point mode, BE SURE to check your local regulations or laws.
- An optional free download software, RS-MS3W is required to be installed in a PC. An optional free download application, RS-MS3A is required to be installed in the Android™ device.
- You need an Internet connection with an IPv4 Global IP address. If you use a cellular system, you need an IPv4 Global IP address assigned to your Windows® or Android™ device.
- When operating in the Access Point mode, you need two call signs. One for the Access Point transceiver and one for the Remote D-STAR transceiver.For the Access point or Terminal mode operation, you must register your MY and Access point call signs with a Gateway repeater/server that has the RS-RP3C installed.
- A static IP address can be set to the IC-9700. If you set a global IP address to your router, you can use the Terminal mode or Access Point mode without any software applications.
Note for the UDP Hole Punch function
- RS-MS3W/RS-MS3A version 1.30 or later is required.
- You can communicate with individual stations, or stations that are listening to a repeater, whichever you set in “TO.” Once your transmit signal passes through a punched port, a reply (receive) signal can pass back through the port.
- You cannot hear calls from stations that initiate a call to you.
- See the RS-MS3W or RS-MS3A instruction manuals for precautions and setting details.