On Wed, 28 May 2008 09:33:52 EDT, Michael Coslo wrote:

The "leadership" of our ARES/RACES group are D-Star fanatics. They
claim, though, that the ICOM equipment does have an FM mode to pass FM
signals through. I have no idea how that works (dual detection
channels?).

I've looked to see if such a thing (fm voice) exists within D-Star.
Could these folks steer us to some documentation? Here are the RF
modules I've found:

The FM voice is not part of the D-Star specs. It is built into the
ICOM hardware. The IC-2820 dual-band dual-channel mobile comes
"D-Star ready" for $600 and the add-on D-Star module is another $200+.

I'd just as soon wait for the prices to come down.

Do you know of any coordination or frequency placement issues involved
with opening a presumptive FM side?

No, the local coordinator handles that as any other frequency
coordination matter.

You know that whole D-Star "repeater" is not a repeater issue, so
frequencies are opened up for it in repeater crowded areas. Those
frequencies would not be proper repeater frequencies for an FM repeater.

Do you know a reference for that action Phil? I've looked a bit on the
FCC site, but haven't found it yet. I think it was in 2006.

According to what I've heard, that's a "hot button" topic, but Bill
Cross of the FCC (an active ham) said at Dayton that he applies the
"duck test" to the D-Star repeaters (making them eligible for
automatic control).
--

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon

e-mail: k2asp [at] arrl [dot] net