[PPRAANet] Interested in D-STAR??

[wa6ifi at comcast.net]

Fellow Ham,

There has been lots of buzz about Icom's D-STAR digital communications system.  CCARC and HRO recently announced the winner of an RFP to install and maintain such a system in Denver.  D-STAR uses digital modulation techniques, not the analog that we are used to today.  Many liken this modulation change to the changes repeaters went through 30+ years ago as they moved from AM to FM, or the move to SSB from AM on the low bands.  Many hams have approached members of the CMRG board, inquiring if CMRG was considering installing a D-STAR system to serve Southern Colorado.  Steve KV6O recently made an impressive presentation to the CMRG board on D-STAR.

In response to this interest, CMRG has set up a special account to fund the purchase and installation of a D-STAR system.  The current thought is to install a UHF D-Star system on Cheyenne Mountain.    Unfortunately, D-Star is not cheap.  The cost of the repeater and associated equipment is over $3000, so it could take a while to accumulate the funds required to purchase the equipment.  This is an ambitious project and we are looking not only for donations, but for manpower and to help design, install, and maintain the system.

If you would like to donate to the Southern Colorado D-STAR project, you may send your donations to:
      Southern Colorado D-STAR Project
     Cheyenne Mountain Repeater Group, Inc
     PO Box 50331
     Colorado Springs, CO  80949-0331

We plan to have more information on the D-STAR system and the project at our table at the PPRAA Megafest, June 7, 2008.  Feel free to post this on other ham email reflectors around the area so it receives the widest exposure.

CMRG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so you contribution may be tax-deductable.

73's 
Board of Directors
Cheyenne Mountain Repeater Group, Inc