[drats_users] OT: Crossbanding IC-2820 for D-Star......

[Jeffrey M. Swiger]

Great Read, and it's Working.. Just passing this info along.
Thought this of intrest to most, or at least to pass it along for those in need..


http://ve6cpk.com/wildrosenetwork/dstar-crossband.htm

First in the Digital Setting Menu make sure that Digital Monitor is set to Auto. Any other setting will not work.

On the left side dial in the VHF repeater frequency and leave it in FM mode, not FM-N mode. On the right side dial up a UHF frequency (**NOTE this frequency must have a offset - simplex will not work) and also leave this in FM mode. Set other settings like power and squelch to what you need then put the radio into cross band mode. (Squelch settings I would set to Max, see below for comment)

How to put the radio into ctross band mode:

Hold in the two main band knobs and then push and hold the function key until the radio beeps. You should then see the lock symbol flashing, this indicates you are in cross band. To get out of cross band simply push and hold the function key for a second or until the radio beeps.

Now with your hand held program in the UHF offset frequency that you selected on the 2820 and put it into DV mode. Program all other parameters just like you would normally do for DSTAR. You can certainly store the info in a memory channel for quicker setup.

I had another ham do the same, we had 2 hand helds 2-2820's the repeater with no compromise at all. You really cannot tell that there is any repeating going on besides the repeater itself. 

Before walking away from your vehicle you can do a ECHO test to make sure that you have a good signal to the repeater and have no R2-D2. Being that DSTAR has no hang time as do most FM repeaters you can access the DSTAR repeater just as quick as the next person. I'm sure if one wanted to do this in reverse from VHF to a UHF repeater the same procedure would apply.

Squelch Settings:

I have found one issue so far and that is to make sure your squelch levels are set accordingly. If local noise were to key your radio an FM transmission would be made on the repeater input. This will not key a DStar repeater but having a signal on the input may prevent other users from working the repeater. Some more experimenting may be required to solve this issue. So far for me I have had no issues, I usually make sure my squelch settings are set at max on both sides. Volume does not matter where it is set at.

Jeff-N8NOE
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