A resource for amateur radio operators in the Vancouver / Lower Mainland area — VE7LEE
This page lists amateur radio nets that D-STAR operators in the Vancouver, BC / Lower Mainland area can participate in. Nets are reachable either through a local D-STAR-capable repeater or gateway, or through a personal hotspot (such as a Pi-Star or MMDVM device) connected to a reflector.
All times are shown in Pacific Time (PT). Entries marked Example indicate that the net name, time, or details are approximate and should be verified with the relevant club or net control.
Schedules can change without notice. Always confirm current net information before operating. See the disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
Monday is a good day to find regional and province-wide digital voice check-in nets. Several multi-mode reflectors host regular Monday evening activity that is easy to join from anywhere in BC.
| Net Name | Time (Pacific) | Reflector / Repeater | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuadNet Multi-Mode NetExample | 7:00 PM PT | XLX307D | D-STAR / cross-mode (DMR · YSF · P25 · NXDN) |
WorldWide multi-mode net on XLX307. Accessible via D-STAR hotspot linked to module D. Check xreflector.net for current activity. |
| BC / Canada Multi-Mode Check-InExample | 8:00 PM PT | XLX020A | D-STAR / cross-mode | General check-in net friendly to Canadian operators. Verify current schedule with local club. |
| Local Vancouver D-STAR Check-InExample | Evening PT | Local gateway (e.g., VA7RRM, VE7RRZ) |
D-STAR direct | Check local club or repeater listings for current D-STAR gateway nets in the Lower Mainland. |
Tuesday evenings feature several established D-STAR nets on well-known reflectors, including the PAPA System network which has long supported D-STAR operators across North America.
| Net Name | Time (Pacific) | Reflector / Repeater | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAPA System D-STAR NetExample | 7:00 PM PT | REF012A | D-STAR | Net hosted by the Pacific Amateur Phone Association (PAPA) system. Connect via hotspot linked to REF012A. Verify schedule at papasys.com. |
| PAPA System Tuesday Tech NetExample | 7:30 PM PT | REF012A | D-STAR | Technical discussion following the PAPA check-in. Topics vary; popular with D-STAR and digital voice users. |
| XLX700 BC-Friendly NetExample | 8:00 PM PT | XLX700A | D-STAR / cross-mode | Regional net suitable for BC operators. Check with your local club for the current schedule on this reflector. |
Wednesday is one of the busiest nights for D-STAR net activity, including the popular Ham Nation After Show Net and the cross-mode Raspberry Pi Net.
| Net Name | Time (Pacific) | Reflector / Repeater | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi Net | 5:00 PM PT (7:00 PM CT) |
XLX088A | D-STAR via XLX (cross-mode to YSF / Kansas City Wide) |
Weekly net focused on Raspberry Pi and digital radio topics. Cross-linked to the Kansas City Wide YSF room. Connect your D-STAR hotspot to XLX088A module A. |
| Ham Nation D-STAR After Show Net | Approx. 8:30–9:00 PM PT (after Ham Nation livestream) |
REF014C | D-STAR | Informal net held after the live Ham Nation show wraps up. Connect to REF014C and listen for net control. Show time can shift; check twit.tv/ham-nation for the current schedule. |
| PAPA System Mid-Week NetExample | 7:00 PM PT | REF012A | D-STAR | Mid-week PAPA check-in net. Verify current day and time at papasys.com. |
Thursday offers a mix of multi-mode and D-STAR-specific nets. It is a good night to experiment with cross-mode links that bridge D-STAR with DMR, YSF, and other digital voice systems.
| Net Name | Time (Pacific) | Reflector / Repeater | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuadNet Thursday NetExample | 7:00 PM PT | XLX307D | D-STAR / cross-mode (DMR · YSF · P25 · NXDN) |
WorldWide multi-mode round-table. Link your hotspot to XLX307 module D. Dashboard at xreflector.net. |
| D-STAR Users NetExample | 8:00 PM PT | REF014C | D-STAR | Informal D-STAR users gathering on REF014C. Equipment tips, QSL exchanges, and general discussion. Times may vary; monitor REF014C dashboard for activity. |
| Lower Mainland Digital Voice NetExample | Evening PT | Local gateway | D-STAR direct | Check with VECTOR or a local Vancouver-area club for D-STAR repeater net times. vectorradio.ca |
Friday evenings tend to be more relaxed and social. Ragchew-style D-STAR nets and multi-mode round-tables are common, making it a good night for longer QSOs.
| Net Name | Time (Pacific) | Reflector / Repeater | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-STAR Friday Morning BC Check InExample | 9:30 AM PDT | REF014B | D-STAR | Informal Friday morning check in net. Gord, VE7FKY net control; just check in and join the conversation. |
| D-STAR Friday RagchewExample | 7:00 PM PT | REF014C | D-STAR | Informal Friday evening ragchew on REF014C. No formal net control; just check in and join the conversation. |
| REF038A or XLX020 or BM 302050 Canada NetExample | 6:00 PM PT | XLX020A or REF038A | D-STAR / cross-mode | Canada-wide net with cross-mode linking. Good option for BC operators wanting national reach on a Friday. |
| PAPA System Friday NetExample | Evening PT | REF012A | D-STAR | PAPA system Friday activity net. Verify current schedule at papasys.com. |
Saturday is a popular day for club-sponsored nets, DX check-ins, and technical discussion nets. Several reflectors host regular Saturday morning and evening sessions.
| Net Name | Time (Pacific) | Reflector / Repeater | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-STAR Saturday Morning Round-TableExample | 9:00 AM PT | REF014C | D-STAR | Morning check-in and round-table on REF014C. Casual conversation; all D-STAR operators welcome. |
| QuadNet Weekend NetExample | 7:00 PM PT | XLX307D | D-STAR / cross-mode (DMR · YSF · P25 · NXDN) |
Weekend edition of the WorldWide QuadNet multi-mode net. Link your hotspot to XLX307 module D. |
| PAPA System Saturday NetExample | Evening PT | REF012A | D-STAR | Weekend net on the PAPA reflector. Verify schedule at papasys.com. |
| XLX700 Regional Saturday NetExample | 7:30 PM PT | XLX700A | D-STAR / cross-mode | Saturday evening regional net. Good for BC and Pacific Northwest operators. Verify with local club. |
Sunday is a strong day for club-hosted nets and Canada-wide check-ins. Multi-mode reflectors often see high activity on Sunday evenings as operators wrap up the weekend.
| Net Name | Time (Pacific) | Reflector / Repeater | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada / BC Multi-Mode NetExample | 7:00 PM PT | XLX020A | D-STAR / cross-mode | Canada-oriented net with cross-mode linking. A good weekly check-in for BC operators. Verify current schedule. |
| XLX700 BC Sunday NetExample | 7:30 PM PT | XLX700A | D-STAR / cross-mode | Sunday regional net suitable for Lower Mainland and BC interior operators. Cross-mode capable. |
| D-STAR Sunday Round-TableExample | 8:00 PM PT | REF014C | D-STAR | Informal Sunday evening round-table on REF014C. No formal check-in; just key up and join. |
| QuadNet Sunday NetExample | Evening PT | XLX307D | D-STAR / cross-mode (DMR · YSF · P25 · NXDN) |
End-of-week WorldWide multi-mode net on XLX307 module D. Check xreflector.net dashboard for current traffic. |
There are two main ways to join these nets as a D-STAR operator in the Vancouver area. Both methods let you reach reflectors worldwide; the only difference is the first hop.
Some local repeaters in the Lower Mainland are D-STAR-capable and may already be linked to a reflector, or can be linked on request. Contact the repeater trustee or your local club to find out which gateway is available and what reflectors it supports.
A personal hotspot is a small, low-power radio device that connects your D-STAR radio to the internet and from there to any reflector. This is the most flexible option for home use.
| Reflector | Module | Associated Net(s) | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| REF014C | C | Ham Nation After Show, D-STAR round-tables | D-STAR |
| REF012A | A | PAPA System nets | D-STAR |
| XLX088A | A | Raspberry Pi Net (cross-mode to YSF) | D-STAR / YSF cross |
| XLX307D | D | QuadNet multi-mode nets | D-STAR / DMR / YSF / P25 / NXDN |
| XLX020A | A | Canada / BC nets | D-STAR / cross-mode |
| XLX700A | A | BC / regional nets | D-STAR / cross-mode |
Tip: The live dashboards at xreflector.net and dstarusers.org show which reflectors are active and who is currently linked, which helps you find net activity in real time.
Net times and reflector assignments can change at any time without notice. The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and may not reflect current schedules.
Entries marked Example are approximate and are intended only to illustrate the type of activity available. Always verify net details before transmitting.
For authoritative, up-to-date net listings, consult your local amateur radio club, the repeater trustee, or the net’s official website. Good starting points include: ARRL Net Directory, Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), and VECTOR (BC).
This page is maintained on a volunteer, best-effort basis by VE7LEE. No guarantee of accuracy, completeness, or timeliness is made or implied.