I like to say DStar is echolink with better audio hi hi.
Except you have to use a radio with DStar, much like IRLP, and most unlike 
echo stink.
I'm still trying to find out weather the Icom programming software gives the 
user access to all the DStar info to be programmed into the radio.
that's allot of the battle right there.
With DStar the station and repeater you are receiving pops up on the radio's 
display...along with tag information and city state country and so on.
Each DStar user can input a personal message into his radio that will be 
sent out when he keys the mike...all other users on his gateway, or 
repeater, or whom ever he may be talking to on simplex will have that info 
pop up on their screen.
This information is supplementary really, so not too important to have 
spoken or accessible if it isn't possible.
But getting the rig set up initially to access DStar and putting all your 
own call and location information in is what is tricky without audio 
feedback from the radio.
The DV dongal allows you to access gateways, and any repeaters that are 
connected to those gateways, so it's a little limiting that way.
Also, I'm not sure if its the basic dongal that does it, or if you have to 
buy additional gear, but you can set up a dongal on your computer, then use 
a conventional radio to transmit and receive DStar activity from your 
dongal.
I think they call it a DStar hub or something...sort of like an echolink or 
IRLP simplex link.
73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevin Minor" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 5:45 PM
Subject: Is there a way to work DSTAR using a screen reader?


> Hi.
>
>
>
> Our club had a demonstration of DSTAR last night, and it looked 
> interesting.
> I know that the radios that are out now don't give audible feedback for
> DSTAR information, so I was wondering if there was an option for the
> computer.  I called Ham Radio Outlet, and they mentioned something called 
> a
> DV Dongle that connects to a USB port on your PC.  I heard rumors that the
> new update to this setup wasn't real speech friendly, so rather than do 
> what
> I did with the Travel Plus Repeater CD-ROM and buy it in the hopes it 
> would
> be useful, I thought I'd ask you good folks out there for help.  I 
> currently
> have EchoLink on the system hooked to my TM-V71A, so I have some 
> experience
> with VOIP.  I'd like to play with DSTAR to see what it's all about.
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.
>
>
>
> 73
>
> Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY
>
> [log in to unmask]