[QCWA] D-Star experience

[VE3JX]

Greetings all,

Being the DEC in our area, I am involved, as many QCWA members are throughout our various countries, in ARES and emergency communications.

Many QCWA members live in Florida, Texas, and other places where D-Star is quite prevalent.  I would like to ask about their experiences with D-Star and D-Rats WRT emcomm usage.  Also, if someone knows if and how D-Star may be used as a carrier for Winlink 2K, that would be helpful.

Other comments about D-Star usage unrelated to emcomm are also welcome.

I live in an area where there is currently no D-Star repeater, and no packet network, for that matter.  However, to the east of us here in northern Ontario, there are three locations with D-Star repeaters.  Two are 2m, while another has both 2m & 440.  South of us - but out of range to us - in northern Michigan, there are two 440 D-Star machines in Petoskey and Gaylord areas, and one 2m D-Star repeater in Traverse City.

Do you find any difference in coverage or operation between the 2m and 440 varieties?  Do you have recommendations?

Thank you in advance for sharing your expertise with us.

Cheers,

Dave Hayes VE3JX.