Quoted:
D-STAR uses a patented, closed-source proprietary voice codec .....you have to pay to play.
The only thing I can think of is a
DV Dongel
There is nothing free that I can think of that will let you play D-Star.
The DVAP and DV-DONGLE products will let you use a computer to connect to DSTAR. However the radio that you might buy does need the digital decoder/encoder. There are a few 3rd party companies now that make these. As far as I know, ICOM does not charge someone to make a radio with DSTAR capability, it just needs the same chip.
You can now convert ANY analog radio into a DSTAR radio. You just need some gear.
DSTAR Adapters
And NW radio is making a 25w hotspot unit also.
LINK TO RADIO
HotSpot Info
I got into it because of the Digital mode. The audio quality is very good, it just sounds a little different than a typical FM modulation. You learn to recognize the voices of folks very fast. I have the 92AD and also a DVAP. What I ALSO like, is someone with a scanner cant decode my signal :)