REF016 D‑STAR Reflector

Overview — REF016 is a D‑STAR DPlus reflector commonly used by amateur radio operators in Western Canada (British Columbia and Alberta). It hosts multiple modules for regional nets, general QSOs, and hotspot linking.

Modules and Purposes

ModuleTypical Use
REF016AOttawa link and occasional regional connections
REF016BAlberta nets and Alberta regional activity
REF016CGeneral amateur use and casual QSOs
REF016D or REF038ACan Net every Friday night at 6:00 PM PDT / 01:00 UTC
REF016EAdditional hotspot/module traffic (varies)
ImportantREF016D or REF038A is used for the weekly Can Net on Fridays at 6:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time (which is 01:00 UTC Saturday). If you plan to join, link your hotspot or radio to REF016D a few minutes early to check activity and net control.

Technical Details

Reflector type — DPlus (REF class).

Typical connection — Link from Pi‑Star, Icom radios, or other D‑STAR gateways using the REF016 hostname or IP and the standard D‑STAR port.

Common settings — Use your hotspot's D‑STAR reflector list to select REF016 and the desired module (A, B, C, D, E). If your software asks for a port, use the default D‑STAR port configured by your hotspot (most setups do not require manual port changes).

Usage Patterns and Nets

Activity — REF016 sees a mix of scheduled nets and casual ragchews. Module B is often used for Alberta nets; Module C for general QSOs; Module D hosts the Can Net on Friday evenings.

Net etiquette — When joining a scheduled net (for example the Can Net on REF016D), listen first, identify per your local regulations, and follow the net control operator's instructions. Keep transmissions concise and avoid tying up the reflector between check‑ins.

How to Link Your Hotspot

  1. Open your hotspot web interface (Pi‑Star or equivalent).
  2. Go to the D‑STAR reflector/linking page.
  3. Select REF016 and choose the desired module (for the Can Net choose REF016D).
  4. Apply the change and monitor the dashboard for successful link confirmation.

Tip — If you plan to join the Can Net, link to REF038A or REF016D about 5 minutes before 6:00 PM PDT to ensure you are present when the net starts.