D-STAR Repeater Operation

The radio can operate as previous models have. The expansion and preprogramming of the Repeater List allows for “choose your repeater and talk” operation. The steps to easy use aren’t necessarily obvious to new users.

To easily program your radio:

1. Turn On Radio
2. Press and Hold the DR button for 2 seconds. The radio display should look similar to this

1. On this screen, the left hand side is highlighted in black to denote which field that you are changing, the TO or FROM field. The display above indicates that we are changing the FROM field.
2. Rotate the volume knob until your local repeater is selected. (we’ll show you some shortcuts in a second).
3. Hit the up (RX-CS) or down (DR) button to select the TO field. Rotate the volume knob again until you get to the desired destination.

Yes, as you scrolled through both the TO and FROM fields, there were probably a large number of entries of systems that you don’t care about and they were seemingly in no order. Let’s find a simpler way than scrolling through all of the systems.

Selecting FROM:

1. Hit the up (RX-CS) or down (DR) button to select the FROM field.
2. Select the center blue button. You will now see three options

• Repeater List
• Near Repeater
• TX History

1. Select the Repeater List by using the up (RX-CS) or down (DR) button or the Volume knob then press the center blue button again.
2. You will now see a number of Groups numbered 01 up to 20. These are the Group Names under the Repeater List[1]. Select the group appropriate for your location by hitting the center blue button again
3. You should now see a list of repeaters within your region.  You can use the volume control to rotate though the list. On the bottom line, the State/Province/Country will be displayed along with the call sign of the repeater. Use the center blue button to select your repeater.
4. If the GPS is enabled and actively receiving position reports, you may also use the Near Repeater function. The ID-31A will list the nearest repeaters to your current location. You may then easily select the closest repeater to you.

Selecting TO:

1. Hit the up (RX-CS) or down (DR) button to select the FROM field.
2. Select the center blue button. You will now see a number of options

• Local CQ
• Gateway CQ
• Your Call Sign
• RX History
• TX History
• Direct Input (UR)
• Direct Input (RPT)

1. This is the tricky one. For most repeaters worldwide, the best option is to use YOUR CALL SIGN.
2. You will then be prompted for which to use, choose “Use Reflector”[2]
3. Then you can start talking!

So, simply put:

• Put the Radio in DR mode
• Choose the From Repeater (probably from the “Near Repeater List”)
• Choose the TO Function (Your Call Sign with Use Reflector)

You are now on the air.

microSD Card

Can hold the following information:

• Memory Channel Contents
• Repeater List
• Transceiver Setting
• Received communication activity (audio)
• Voice audio  to use with the Auto Replay function in the DV Mode
• Position and time data from a GPS receiver that is in a log file as a route.

Radio settings can be saved to or read from the SD card. Settings are saved as an .ICF file that can be read by the CS-31 Software. When reading, the following information may be read from the file:

• ALL: Loads all of the memory channels, item settings in the menu list and the repeater list into the transceiver.
• Except My Station: Loads all of the memory channels, item settings in the menu list except MY call signs and the repeater list into the transceiver.
• Repeater List Only: Loads only the repeater list into the transceiver.

The card initially is blank.

Information Stored on the microSD card

microSD card can be read with a standard computer. The card contains a number of folders with a folder named ID-31 at the root. Under this folder are the following:

• GPS
  • Stores GPS logging information
• Reply
  • Stores Automatic Reply Information
• Setting
  • The transceivers settings data (.icf files)
• Voice
  • Recorded audio files
  • One folder for each date