The 445.900 (-) RST D-Star repeater on Mt. Lemmon in less than 24 hours on-the-air is receiving rave reviews from all over the area. We have had literally dozens of people checking in. As expected, there are some "dead" spots at the base of the foothills and up against Pusch Ridge. North Oracle Road is marginal at best. The further west you go away from Oracle Road the better. However, I live at approximately Oracle and Rancho Vistoso Blvd and have full scale. But, if I go too far to the east, it goes away.

You should join the Yahoo Group called: az_dstar It is an excellent source of D-Star information specific to the state of Arizona. Of course, it is free. I have already learned a lot from it.

Here are just some of the many reports received:

1. Paradise Valley (FAR north Phoenix just South of Cave Creek and North of Scottsdale) --- Full scale signal on base unit & perfect signal report from a handy talkie in this guy's backyard!

2. East Mesa - Full signal - one base and a mobile

3. West Mesa - Full Signal - one mobile and one handi-talkie

4. Green Valley - Full Signal - 2 reports, one handi-talkie and a mobile

5. Globe - Full Signal - mobile

6. Prescott - not perfect, but quite workable - base

7. East Tucson - Perfect - 4 different mobiles and 3 different handitalkies

8. Vail - Perfect - handi-talkie

9. I-10 & Orange Grove - very good - mobile

10. Thorneydale and Linda Vista - very good - mobile

11. Sabino Canyon & Sunrise - very good - mobile

12. Sierra Vista - Excellent - mobile

13. Near Vet's Hospital - Perfect with a handi-talkie in the house

14. Midtown Tucson - Perfect one a mobile and another report of perfect inside the house on a handi-talkie

15. Tucson International Airport - Excellent on a handi-talkie

16. Campbell & Prince - very good - mobile

17. St. Mary's near downtown Tucson - excellent - handi-talkie

18. Sunrise and Campbell - marginal - mobile

19. La Cholla and Tangerine - very good - mobile

20. La Canada and Tangerine very good - mobile

21. 1st Avenue and Tangerine - good - mobile

22. Marana exit off I-10 - Perfect - mobile

23. I-17 and Bell Road in Phoenix - very good in a mobile

24. Parking lot of Desert Diamond Casino (Pima Mine Road) – Perfect on a handi-talkie

25. Starr Pass near the J.W. Marriott Resort - Perfect on a handitalkie

26. River & Oracle - marginal

Please email me your reports if I don't happen to be near the radio to hear you myself. So far, VERY, VERY impressive. There are so many people with D-Star radios and the number is growing daily!
Enjoy!!!

-Randy KF0X