Some changes made and new features added:

• Changed reflector discovery code so it will dynamically find new reflectors and changed IP's without restart. 
• The reflector limit moved from 50 to 1000.
• Added support for modules D (for repeaters with that are for data / D-Rats testing) and E (for remote Echotest).
• You can now test your Internet connection by linking to a remote gateway's module E and keying up with an echo test (using CQCQCQ in urcall).  Don't forget to unlink! :)
• Also, DV Dongle users will be able to run echo tests through a connected gateway using module E.  This will require DVTool-2.0 beta 5 or later.
• Some of the messages printed to dplus.log have been shortened.  I'm trying to cut back on the volume inthat log file.  Note that this will require new versions of Monlink, DPlusReport, and others that parse the logs.

Tonight, REF006 was upgraded and is now running on a new server. 

Hopefully your local repeater is already running dplus version 2.2h, in which case the change of IP address will be automatically detected before you read this message.

You can see the status of REF006 from the standard web page: http://ref006.dstargateway.org

Thanks must go to Robin, AA4RC, for upgrade and re-hosting assistance.

73 de Darren, G7LWT

Northern Ohio Digital Interconnect Group

On behalf of the ODWN & NODIG we would like to thank all that helped the Ohio Wide D-STAR Net, OWDN, become the premier D-STAR net in the state during 2011!

We have come an incredibly long way from our first net last January were we experienced dropped links, internet issues and lost packets. Over the course of the year NODIG's IT and RF Managers, along with their support teams, have worked hard to build a solid and reliable system capable of linking the entire state seamlessly.

Also worthy of mention are the OWDN Net Controls having run 53 nets in full and on time throughout the year.

A few statistics, and to some benchmarks we intend to surpass next year! The OWDN ran a total of 53 sessions with 1093 check ins clocking a total of 845+ man hours. Just over 30% of Ohio’s 88 counties, 27 total, are currently touched by the OWDN representing 44 cities. Of Ohio’s 16 D-STAR repeater sponsors 14 participate in the OWDN along with several out of state sites.

Please visit the net on Sunday evenings, Reflector 38 Alpha, at 8:00PM EST or our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Northern-Ohio-Digital-Interconnect-Group/145438878885464

The OWDN and NODIG wish you a healthy and prosperous new year!

73, Jeff Evans, KB8ZUN

THE NEXT ANNUAL VoIP TOPICAL CONFERENCE IS FRIDAY MAY 4, 2012

Grand Sierra Resort in Reno.

Since 2001 Nevada Amateur Radio Repeaters, Inc. (NARRI) sponsored the Annual VoIP IRLP Conference that is held in the Spring. Prior to 2012 the conference was held in Las Vegas as a separate event. Now it is part of EMCOMMWEST event. Each year the meeting has broadened its scope and now includes all the major VoIP systems in use by the amateur radio community, i.e., IRLP, Echo link, EchoIRLP, All Star, D-Star and DV Dongle. See the program for topical speakers.

Here is a summary of details:

It is the hopes of NV Section leadership that this combo will alternate yearly between Reno and Las Vegas. We look forward to seeing you in Reno for the 10th annual VoIP Conference and EmCommWest 2012.

Kent W7AOR Chair NARRI VP EmCommWest

There's been a few annoucements about upcoming episodes of Last Man Standing with Tim Allen featuring Ham Radio. Some of the radio's that are in Tim's shack will be an Icom IC-9100 and an IC-92AD. So listen closely and you may hear some D-STAR QSOs!

For more information Ham Radio in Hollywood: Comedian Tim Allen Stars as Radio Amateur on New TV Show

This past Saturday was Ham Radio Outlet - Atlanta's Manufacturers Day. HRO had representatives from many manufactures, including Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, MFJ, Internet Labs, and Comet. Even Gordon West was there.   Gary, KN4AQ, was there filming for a future episode of Ham Nation.

Georiga D-STAR had a table at the event and a number of folks dropped by to say hello.

And of course the big event was when the D-STAR Santa dropped by.

But Santa (Patrick W4VZB)  walks away with the Grand Prize a Kenwood TS-590!

Take a look at some of the photos at Flickr. There's a number of your D-STAR stars in the show!

Here's the link to HamNation.  You can see Gordon in a D-STAR QSO with Japan, Robin talks about the DVAP at about 36:00.