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ICOM radios (IC-80AD, ID-880H, ID-31, ID-51, IC-7100, IC-9100) have the DR (D-STAR Repeater) mode and you can use the method described below. This uses fewer memories and makes it easy to change a configuration on the fly.
D-STAR (Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio) is a digital voice and data protocol specification developed for use in amateur radio. D-Star compatible radios are available on VHF and UHF amateur radio bands. In addition to the over-the-air protocol, D-Star enables D-Star radios to be connected to the Internet or other networks.
D-STAR is different to FM in that you need to first set up your radio with callsigns for yourself, other stations and repeaters. Once set up with your call and the repeater call, you can use the autowrite call facility in your radio to automatically insert the callsign of any station you contact.
As you first un-box your new D-STAR radio, the first thing to do is to make sure that it works on FM. So program your favorite repeater and try it out for a little bit. Once you know your radio is working, then it is time to start thinking D-STAR.
Here are a few resources for learning regular D-STAR use: Programming TH D74 software for a DVAP using DR mode, 2017, Don Arnold, W6GPS. This is a good video about programming for DR mode.
There's a lot of opportunity for experimentation with D-STAR. We want to encourage people to expand and create new things in Amateur Radio. BUT, we please ask that you do not do any experimentation or linking to the busy reflectors, especially REF001 and REF030 .
Any station that wants to respond to your call needs to know how to program their radio. You can't hear remote activity - When you have your radio set to talk to someone other than your local module, you can't hear any of the remote stations.
