How to Use Your ID-31 Programmer |
 | ||
The WCS-D31 Radio Programming Software is designed to make it easier to program your radio. Details of memory channels and other set menu options of your radio are in the program to access and study at your pace. No more “function key frustration” from trying to set options from the face of the radio. Memory Channels Include:
Other Menu Item Categories Include:
The Radio Programmer Is for so Much More than Just Memory Management. |
| |
The programming process begins by first installing the program then installing (and allowing) the drivers for the cable. Be sure to complete both of these steps.Save your file as you work. This is a computer, after all, and you would hate to lose your work should the system fail. Actually, create and save as many files as you want or need. You could have one file for home, a different one for the vacation house, another for the trip to your son’s house, another for the yearly 3K run and picnic where you help direct traffic and want the radio to be programmed with only the frequencies for that event. Remember, radio programming is an overwrite process. Everything in the radio is replaced by everything in the file. |
Radio Memories Your radio has several “kinds” of memories. All of which are included in the programmer. They are presented on separate tabs accessed at the bottom of the screen. This keeps them organized for you and the radio. Remember, you don’t have to do anything with these additional channels if you are not using them. They are set up automatically to satisfy the requirements the radio. Do not try to delete preprogramed entries (i.e., usually on VFO tab). These can be changed, but not deleted. The radio must have a value in that spot to function. |
 |
Limit Memories Limit Memories are used by the radio for Program Scan. Program the same details for Limit Memories as for regular memory channels. Many of the Limit Memories are preprogrammed in the radio and while the frequency can be changed to another within the band, they cannot be left blank. |
 |
DR Memories The DR Channels are special memories of the radio used for quick manual D-Star setup from the radio’s face. D-Star channels do not have to be programmed here before being saved to memory. |
 |
Call Channels Home/Call channels are special memories accessed through one button recall on the radio. These channels are preprogrammed in the radio and while the frequency can be changed to another within the band, they cannot be left blank. |
 |
GPS Memories Once stored in the radio during GPS operations, these channels are read from the radio with the other details. |
 |
Memories and D-STAR Columns: The ID-31 handles D-STAR and FM memories in Memories. It is here in the Programmer that the D-STAR specifics for each channel are found. The D-STAR columns become active once Operating Mode is set to DV. |
D-STAR Settings Set “My Callsign” to your FCC issued callsign.The list of Your Callsigns is storage. In the ID-31, these come programmed from the factory. You can make changes to the list. The callsigns used during a transmission are programmed in the memory channel. This list is available to make a selection from; however, the callsign does not need to be entered here first. Tx messages, name/location/equipment details, etc., scroll on the radio receiving your call. Be sure to turn on the Tx message with the checkbox. |  | |
D-STAR Calculator Advanced
 Source and Destination: The D-STAR Calculator automatically sets up the Talk, Echo, Info and Unlink channels for your “Source” repeater. The “Source” is the repeater you access to begin your adventures. Just like with analog repeaters, you must be able to hit the “Source” repeater.Talk - the CQ channel for talking with others. Echo - a test function that repeats your transmission back to you. Good for letting you know that you are, or are not, hitting the repeater. Info - The function that triggers a status response from the repeater (i.e. linked to “where”... not linked). Unlink - Disconnects the current link of the repeater (where allowed). More widely used to disconnect a link you establish. Remember... if you link, it’s always polite to unlink (hang up the phone) when you’re done unless someone has joined you locally. Then you might leave it to them to unlink. The calculator sets up the same channels for a DVAP hotspot. You enter your frequency only once. | |
 Route/Link to Repeaters: Now that you identified your “Source”, let’s set up your Destination. In D-STAR you can Link to Repeaters or Route to Repeaters. To set up channels that link or route, use the drop down at the top of the first tree to select your function, then select your repeaters by checking a country, region, state, city or individual repeater. A counter below the list keeps track of how many you have selected. | |
 Link to Reflectors: For even more fun, and a great way for a beginner to get started, Link to Reflectors. D-STAR reflectors are a special type of Internet connected gateway that rebroadcasts each signal to all the other linked nodes or repeaters. Remember... EVERYBODY is listening... but that’s what makes it fun. You have a whole world to talk to through your local repeater, “Source”, linked to a reflector. To set up a channel that links your repeater to a reflector, check the box for that reflector in the Link to Reflector tree.Click Apply once to set up all these channels for the radio. | |
 The Resulting File: The resulting channels are set up and ready to go.Your callsign, Rpt 1 Callsign and Rpt 2 Callsign are set automatically... No wondering which suffix goes where, or if it is positioned correctly. That is all done for you. Name can be edited here to better identify the station. Name is what you see on the radio. It is not part of the D-STAR commands for use of the system. It may be all you have to identify the function of a channel. (Notice the frequency is the same for ALL these channels although they each do something different on the D-STAR network.) Make the Name something you understand. Note: Be sure to turn ON the name display for the radio to use what you enter in the name field. To Use these Settings for D-STAR Fun: • Save and send the file to the radio.• Listen on the talk channel. • Be sure your call sign is registered on the system. • Check repeater status on info channel. • Check your connection to repeater on Echo channel. • Link repeater to a connection of your choice. • Talk on Talk channel. HAVE FUN! | |
 D-STAR Calculator for DR Memories: D-STAR Calculator for DR Memories lists repeaters worldwide for you to update or customize the list in the radio. Easily customize this list for places you plan to travel or places you want to work using a DR memory as your RPT2 repeater.All repeater nodes are listed. Those the radio can use to transmit will be set automatically for “Repeater Use”. Latitude and Longitude are included where that info is available from the source and the repeater is marked for use. Click a country, region, state, city or individual repeater. Use starting channel to replace or carefully add to your list. No searching for data, it’s all right in the RT Systems Programmer. The D-STAR calculator is updated automatically with the program. Just “Check for Updates” periodically to be sure you have the latest list. | |
Radio Menu Settings Use these screens to customize many set menu features of the radio. Check boxes toggle features on or off, use drop down menus list all selections and blank boxes for personalized entry add to the ease of setting up your radio exactly like you want it. The entries on the Settings screens are made for you to "Set and Forget". Once settings are customized, you are prompted to save Before exiting. The saved settings will Be there every time you create a new frequency file. |
 | Common Use this screen to customize many set menu features of the radio. Check boxes toggle features on or off, use drop down menus list all selections and blank boxes for personalized entry add to the ease of setting up your radio exactly like you want it. | |
 | DV and Sounds Set up options for Digital Speech, Voice and sound operations. | |
 | DTMF and Broadcast Enter DTMF memory details and customize options for this function of the radio. | |
External Data
 |
RT Systems Programmers interface with three sources of data to make it easy for you to find repeater information. Some of these sources even include information for repeaters outside the US. Your existing subscription to a service (where required) works in the programmer.
|
 | Repeater Book Search An Internet connection is required for this search. | |
 | RFinder Search An internet connection and subscription to the service are required for this search. | |
The information is returned on a screen that is not yet ready for radio programming, this screen lets you examine the data to see if the results are about what you expected. You might find that you spelled the city name wrong which resulted in nothing being returned; or that you want to pull repeaters from further away; or you want to get repeaters for different bands. |
 |
Resulting File After clicking Create File for (Your radio) the programmer creates the file that you use to program your radio. Notice that all the Tones are set up with the tone frequencies. All done automatically. |
 |