The W6CX Advanced D-STAR Gateway

NOTE:  With Yahoo Groups scaling back, we have set up
a "groups.io" group for fans of DStar at W6CX
This is like the old Yahoo Groups, but better.

Our repeater now has two modes that every RF user can switch with a simple radio programming change
      • G3IRC mode is the normal mode, allowing linking to REF, XRF and DCS reflectors, as well as doing CCS7 linking -- in this mode, we run G4KLX ircDDBGateway software 
      • PLUS2 mode is available for certain features of the ID-51A Plus2 or ID-4100 (see details) --  in PLUS2 mode, we run ICOM's G3 Gateway with DPlus linking.
Changing modes is easy:  Put G3IRC or PLUS2 in URCall and hit PTT.  It's that simple.  When done with PLUS2, use G3IRC to return the gateway to normal mode.. 

W6CX D-STAR Repeater, port C:   145.0 MHz (+2.5 MHz).

W6CX port C is a D-Star repeater operated by the Mount Diablo Amateur Radio Club. It is located on the South Peak of Mount Diablo in Concord, California, about 30 miles northeast of San Francisco. We are happy to host D-Star registrations for hams in the region.

Our D-Star Gateway has the most advanced features available in the D-Star world.  With configuration help from well-known D-Star expert Adrian, VK4TUX, we are running an integrated configuration of ICOM's G3 Gateway software, as well as the G4KLX ircDDBGateway software.  Here's a summary of what you can do:
  • Linking to REFxxxx reflectors (default reflector is REF014C - the West Coast Reflector)
  • Linking to DCSxxxx reflectors
  • Linking to XRFxxxx reflectors
  • ICOM Callsign Routing to user and gateway callsigns
These options give our users access to thousands of users worldwide.  While you will link to REF reflectors most of the time, the DCS and XRF systems open up a very large network of other D-Star users.  

If you haven't registered your callsign yet, check out How to Register Your Callsign.  This is needed to talk to Hams on REF-type reflectors.

Quick history - The W6CX D-Star repeater went on the air February 22, 2011.  The project was suggested by club member Tim Barrett, K6BIV.  Initially, the antenna was located on the South Peak equipment building below the tower.  Coverage was fair, so a project in 2016 led by Trevor Hall, WA6JAU installed a combiner so both the analog and the D-Star repeaters could share the same antenna up on the tower.  This successful project meant D-Star coverage was greatly improved.

Linking

W6CX port C is normally linked to REF014C (to which other West Coast D-STAR repeaters are linked).  But users are free and encouraged to unlink and link to other reflectors (just check first that others are not using the repeater).   When finished, try to unlink and relink back to REF014C.

Nets
We automatically link our gateway to the following nets:
Terminal/Accesspoint features
Our Gateway supports these features, but you need to know some important details.

Help or More Info
Email us at dstar@mdarc.org for questions or help.  And join our "groups.io" group  w6cx-dstar to keep up to date on changes and improvements.  You can ask questions on the group.
Important links: