User Guide
This guide is for users who want to connect to a Vexillum-powered amateur radio reflector.
Vexillum is multi-protocol reflector software for amateur radio. A single Vexillum system may provide access to multiple modes, including digital voice modes such as M17, D-Star, DMR, NXDN, P25, and YSF, as well as VAFM for analog FM linking.
This guide explains how to find connection details, choose the right mode, connect your client or radio system, and troubleshoot common problems.
Who this guide is for
Section titled “Who this guide is for”This guide is intended for:
- Amateur radio operators connecting to a Vexillum reflector
- Users testing digital voice clients
- Users connecting analog FM equipment through VAFM
- Anyone who has been handed a hostname, port, and vague instructions from another ham
If you are running the reflector server itself, see the Operator Guide instead.
What you need
Section titled “What you need”Before connecting, you usually need:
- Your amateur radio callsign
- The reflector hostname or IP address
- The mode you want to use
- The correct port or connection target
- Any module, room, talkgroup, or mode-specific setting required by the operator
- A compatible radio, hotspot, gateway, or software client
For VAFM, you may also need:
- A VAFM-compatible client
- A microphone or radio audio interface
- Speaker or audio output device
- Optional shared passphrase, if required by the reflector operator
Supported modes
Section titled “Supported modes”A Vexillum reflector may support one or more of the following modes:
| Mode | Typical use |
|---|---|
| D-Star | D-Plus, DExtra, or DCS-style linking |
| DMR | DMR reflector-style connectivity |
| M17 | Open digital voice |
| NXDN | NXDN reflector-style connectivity |
| P25 | P25 reflector-style connectivity |
| YSF | Yaesu System Fusion reflector-style connectivity |
| VAFM | Analog FM linking through software clients or radio interfaces |
Not every Vexillum reflector will enable every mode. Check the reflector’s public status page (if the operator has one) or operator-provided documentation for the active services.
Public status page
Section titled “Public status page”Vexillum reflectors don’t come with a bundled status website - they expose a read-only public API. Some operators build or link a status page or dashboard against it; others simply publish connection details directly (a wiki page, a chat channel topic, a forum post).
Where a status page or dashboard exists, it may show:
- Reflector name
- Supported modes
- Enabled services
- Connection hostnames
- Ports
- Current status
- Operator notes
- Maintenance notices
- Links to setup instructions
Use whatever the operator publishes, status page, dashboard, or plain documentation, as the source of truth for that reflector’s connection details. If a mode isn’t listed there, assume it isn’t available unless the operator says otherwise.
Basic connection flow
Section titled “Basic connection flow”Most users will follow this general process:
- Find the reflector’s published connection details (status page, dashboard, or operator documentation).
- Find the mode you want to use.
- Copy the hostname and port.
- Configure your client, radio, hotspot, or gateway.
- Confirm your callsign is correct.
- Connect to the reflector.
- Listen before transmitting.
- Make a short test call if appropriate.
Try not to configure six different clients at once and then blame the reflector when one of them works and five are haunted. Start with one known-good setup.
Operating etiquette
Section titled “Operating etiquette”Use normal amateur radio operating practices.
Recommended behavior:
- Use your assigned callsign.
- Listen before transmitting.
- Leave a pause between transmissions.
- Keep test transmissions short.
- Identify properly.
- Follow the reflector operator’s rules.
- Avoid tying up shared resources unnecessarily.
- Report problems with useful details.
Useful problem reports include:
- Your callsign
- Mode used
- Client or radio used
- Time of the issue
- What you expected to happen
- What actually happened
- Any error message shown by your client
“Doesn’t work” is not a bug report. It is a cry for help wearing sunglasses.
If you cannot connect
Section titled “If you cannot connect”Start with the basics:
- Confirm the reflector hostname is correct.
- Confirm the mode is enabled.
- Confirm the port is correct.
- Confirm your client is using the right protocol.
- Confirm your callsign is configured correctly.
- Check whether a passphrase or access setting is required.
- Check whether the reflector is in maintenance.
- Try again after restarting your client or hotspot.
If the reflector has a published status page or dashboard, check it before contacting the operator.