A Radio Amateurs Learning Journey
A Radio Amateurs Learning Journey
REFLECTORS

Reflectors Explained

by |Published

Reflectors Explained

Let’s delve into the world of D-Star reflectors. These reflectors play a crucial role in enabling communication among D-Star repeaters and hotspots. Here’s what you need to know:

REF Reflectors:

    • The first type of D-Star reflectors were the REF reflectors.
    • These reflectors use a network protocol called DPlus to communicate with repeaters.
    • To connect your repeater to a REF reflector, you issue a command like REFxxxaL on your radio, replacing xxx with the desired number and a with the module.

    XRF Reflectors:

      • The second type of D-Star reflectors is the XRF reflectors.
      • These reflectors use a different network protocol called DExtra.
      • To connect your repeater to an XRF reflector, you issue a command like XRFxxxaL, similar to REF but using XRF.
      • They serve similar purposes as REF reflectors.

      DCS Reflectors:

        • The DCS (German-originated) reflectors use their own network protocol simply called DCS.
        • Connecting your repeater to a DCS reflector involves issuing a command like DCSxxxaL.
        • Recently, some hams took over the DCS system after its original administrators dropped it.

        XLX Reflectors:

          • XLX is unique because it speaks multiple protocols: REF, XRF, DCS, and its own XLX protocol.
          • It can interconnect different types of reflectors together.
          • To connect your repeater to an XLX reflector, you issue a command like XLXxxxaL.

          In summary, each type of reflector serves as an audio conference server with different modules (akin to conference rooms). Repeaters and hotspots connect to specific modules within these reflectors, allowing for rebroadcasting of transmissions across connected