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

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

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

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 or operator-provided documentation for the active services.

Public status page

Many Vexillum reflectors provide a public status page.

The public status page may show:

Reflector name
Supported modes
Enabled services
Connection hostnames
Ports
Current status
Operator notes
Maintenance notices
Links to setup instructions

Use the public status page as the source of truth for that reflector’s connection details. If a mode is not listed, assume it is not available unless the operator says otherwise.

Basic connection flow

Most users will follow this general process:

Open the reflector’s public status page.
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

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

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 public status page, check it before contacting the operator.