Speaker

February 24, 2015: David Malin AA6RV: An introduction to DSTAR

D-STAR (Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio) is an FDMA and GMSK digital voice and data protocol specification developed in the late 1990s by the Japan Amateur Radio League for amateur radio. There are newer digital radio modes used by amateurs, D-STAR was the first packet-based standard designed and widely used specifically for amateur radio.

Digital voice modulation uses less bandwidth than older analog voice modes such as amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, and single sideband. The quality of the data received is also better than an analog signal at the same signal strength, as long the signal is above a minimum threshold, and there is no Multipath propagation.

D-STAR compatible radios are available for VHF, UHF, and microwave amateur radio bands. In addition to the over-the-air protocol, D-STAR also provides specifications for network connectivity, enabling D-STAR radios to be connected to the Internet or other networks, allowing streams of voice or packet data to be routed via amateur radio.

David Malin AA6RV served in the military for total of 31 years, both on active duty in the Marine Corps and in the Reserves. He spent his first 20 years enlisted, most of that time dealing with communications, and the last 11 years as a Health Service Administrator, eventually retiring as a Captain. He has worked 25 years for the City of Los Angeles, the first 13 as an Electronic Technician Supervisor, maintaining dispatch centers for LAPD and LAFD. For the last 12 years, he has been Emergency Manager for the Port of Los Angeles. He serves as a board member on the Emergency Management Committee of the City of Los Angeles.

He is a Certified Emergency Manager through the International Association of Emergency Managers and also an Extra Class Ham Radio Operator.

Amateur Radio background

First licensed in 1987 at Keesler AFB, Biloxi MS while attending Ground Radio Maintenance School (304x4 and later changed to 3E1X3). Original call sign was N5LFS. Two years later upgraded through Technician, General, Advanced and finally Extra.

Radios: Mobiles ICOM 880 (2); DSTAR Handhelds: ICOM ID 31 and ID 51; FUSSION Handheld: YAESU FT-1D; DMR Handheld: Motorola XPR 7550; Analog Only: YAESU VX-3R, YAESU FT-60, BAOFANG GT-3 (2); HF: Elecraft KX3

Currently president of the Santa Clarita Amateur Radio Club W6JW; member of the Papa System; member of the United Amateur Radio Club K6AA (San Pedro); volunteer with the Los Angeles Fire Department Auxiliary Communications Service LAFD ACS.