Listen to DSTAR via the internet

I'm sorry but even though I'm new to ham radio in MHO it's not RADIO unless you're talking or transmitting radio to radio via the airwaves and not via the internet. Using a computer and the internet to make the "connection" takes away all the fun, chance, and skill of making over the air contacts. You might as well call someone on the phone because that's pretty much what you're doing...IMHO!

 

Why is D-Star not Ham Radio?

Fisrt, forget about the internet. Forget about repeaters. Even forget about Icom being the only supplier of the radios.

It's because the codec is patented, and closed source.

Making anything yourself that works with it REQUIRES you to buy the codec chip from DVSI, with no way of finding out what goes on inside it. Nothing else in Amateur Radio is like this - in fact, it SHOULD be looked upon a secret code, a form of encryption - which is prohibited in the UK at least.

THAT is why D-Star isn't amateur radio.

 

DStar is more than a codec. It's a system. An open one at that. One can plug any codec into it, and the system will still function.

I do agree, however, the codec does not belong on ham bands.