D- Star Op*ons for the Amateur Experimenter.

Transcription

1 D- Star Op*ons for the Amateur Experimenter

2 Introduc*on This is a non- technical guide to give you some informa*on on some of the op*ons you have if you decide to experiment D- Star. While it does not cover everything in terms of hardware and sobware, it will give you some idea of what you need to get started. I only men*oned the op*ons I have had personal experience with, with the excep*on of the DHAP, and they all work very well. I suggest you read the documenta*on and view some of the YouTube Videos pertaining to the D- Star op*on you choose; it will make the process easier. Its also a good idea to join some of the many Yahoo Users Groups, they are an excellent resource when you have ques*ons. The DV Dongle op*on gives you access to all the repeaters and reflectors you ll need without a D- Star ready radio. The op*ons using the DVAP, DHAP or GMSK modem are considered Hotspots. Its similar to having your personal simplex repeater. If you have an ICOM D- Star radio but are not near a D- Star repeater, a Hotspot allows your radio to access DPlus- connected D- Star repeaters and reflectors. The hotspot also allows you to control how and where you link to other repeaters/reflectors, without disturbing other users of a nearby D- Star repeater. The D- Star radios are also analog capable, so don t forget to add some of your local FM repeaters. I encourage you to support and use the local D- Star repeaters when possible but keep in mind some repeaters owners appreciate you linking to other reflectors without their consent. So use a Hotspot when possible.

3 What is D- Star D- STAR is a mode used by Amateur Radio Operators Worldwide. The DSTAR protocol was developed by the Japanese Radio League and u*lizes digital radio transmission for voice and data. D- STAR generally operates on VHF and UHF frequencies and allows repeaters to link with each other over the Internet.

4 D- Star Registra*on Process GETTING REGISTERED! If you are not already registered on the D- STAR network, you need to get registered. It is very important that you register with ONE gateway only. Once you are registered on a gateway, you are registered on them all. Registra<on process: Sample Registra<on Page Follow the instruc*ons at: h]p:// for registra*on. or view the YouTube video men*oned below. Locate a local D- Star repeater using the link above. Click on the New User registra*on bu]on, complete registra*on informa*on and, in a few days, you should receive an response. View the D- Star Registra*on Video h]p://

5 Simple D- Star Access Op<on This is the least expensive method to access the D- star system. All that s required is a microphone, PC (minimum 2GB processor) or MAC, DV- Dongle/soBware and internet access. The DV- Dongle (the blue one) can be purchased at almost any Ham Radio store. This op*on gives you access to all the repeaters and reflectors you ll need to peak your interest in this digital mode. This op*on also allows you to monitor more than one ac*ve module on a reflector at the same *me. Go to one of the links below to obtain a copy of the sobware and view the installa*on procedures: h]p:// Op*onal SoBware h]p:// DV Dongle D- Star Installa*on and Opera*on How To Windows XP h]p:// XGfIg

6 Simple D- Star Access DV Dongle Microphone PC or MAC and DV Dongle SoBware D- Star Network Home Network

7 Home D- Star System (op<on 1) This op*on is useful if there are no local D- star repeaters near or you don t want the issues associated with using someone else s repeater. You ll need to be within a few hundred feet of the DVAP and PC/Raspberry PI. Note that with the Raspberry Pi you can leave the system running for days with out a reboot. You can purchase the DVAP (the red one) at almost any Ham Radio Store. The DVAP comes in 2 meters or 70 cen*meters. The Raspberry PI B or B+ (Starter Kit) can be purchased online. You can obtain a copy of the sobware from the link below: h]p:// You can obtain a copy of the SD card image from the link below: h]p://w6kd.boards.net/thread/2/dstar- commander- public- release- download Choose one of the three SD Card Setup Op*ons contained in this document: Portable DVAP Sta*on h]p:// NK1A Any D- Star ready radio will work with this op*on.

8 Home D- Star System (op*on 1) Any D- Star Ready Radio PC Raspberry PI / G4KLX sobware DVAP Dongle Or D- Star Network Home WiFi Router

9 Home D- Star System (op<on 2) This op*on is useful if there are no local D- star repeaters near or you don t want the issues associated with using someone else s repeater. The opera*ng distance depends upon the analog radio output power and antenna loca*on. You can purchase the GMSK modem board from the link below: h]p://moencomm.com/ The website below has all the informa*on you ll need to learn how to build a D- Star compa*ble hotspot: h]p:// setup.htm The analog radio needs to have a DB9 connector. Any D- Star ready radio will work with this op*on.

10 Home D- Star System Op*on 2 Any D- Star Ready Radio Analog Radio With DB 9 connector GMSK Modem D- Star Network PC with Hotspot SoBware

11 Mobile D- Star System This mobile op*on is useful if there are no local D- star repeaters near or you don t want the hassles associated with using someone else s repeater. You ll need to be within a few hundred feet of the DVAP and PC/Raspberry PI. You can purchase the DVAP (the red one) at any Ham Radio Store. You can obtain a copy of the sobware from the link below: h]p:// The DVAP comes in 2 meters or 70 cen*meters. The Raspberry PI B or B+ (Starter Kit) can be purchased at Amazon. You can obtain a copy of the SD card image from the link below: h]p://w6kd.boards.net/thread/2/dstar- commander- public- release- download Choose one of the three SD Card Setup Op*ons contained in this document. Portable DVAP Sta*on: h]p:// NK1A A smart phone or mobile hotspot is required to access the D- star network over the internet. Any D- Star ready radio will work with this op*on. The mah power pack is op*onal but works well if you get out of the mobile frequently and don t want to keep restar*ng the system. It can be purchased online.

12 Mobile D- Star System Any D- Star Ready Radio Raspberry PI / G4KLX sobware DVAP Dongle Power Pack D- Star Network Any Smart Phone with hotspot capability

13 Portable D- Star System This portable op*on is useful if there are no local D- star repeaters near or you don t want the issues associated with using someone else s repeater. The DHAP and DYAP men*oned below are available at some Ham radio stores. The DHAP is a complete DSTAR Digital Access Point with Raspberry Pi Computer allowing users to gain access to the massive DSTAR network via this unit and the added DV- AP (2M) or DV- AP 440 (70CM). You ll need to be within a few hundred feet of the DHAP. The D- HAP ships fully assembled, with all of the following: - HDPE Housing - Raspberry Pi Rev B Computer, 512 kb - 8 GB SD card, already imaged for proper boo*ng of Pi. - Internal DC/DC Power Supply - Rechargeable NiMH Ba]ery Pack - Panel mounted USB, HDMI, and Ethernet ports - External SMA Antenna mount. - Panel mounted RCA, Audio, and DC power ports - Digital Volt Meter - USB WiFi Dongle b, g and N - Automa*c Smart AC charger, Worldwide Voltage, 110v to 240v You supply the DVAP (the red one) of your choice, either DVAP- 2M or DVAP- 70cm, and you are ready to go. You can obtain a copy of the sobware from the link below: h]p:// D- HAP Video: h]p://

14 Portable D- Star System cont. You can obtain a copy of the SD card image from the link below: h]p://w6kd.boards.net/thread/2/dstar- commander- public- release- download Choose one of the three SD Card Setup Op*ons contained in this document to setup the Raspberry Pi. A smart phone or mobile hotspot is required to access the D- star network over the internet. Any D- Star ready radio will work with this op*on.

15 Portable D- Star System Any D- Star Ready Radio DHAP and DVAP Dongle D- Star Network Any Smart Phone with hotspot capability

16 Local D- star Repeater System This op*on works well if you are in an area where you can reach a D- star repeater from a mobile, portable or base sta*on. All that s required is a D- star ready radio and the appropriate repeaters programed into the radio. The D- star radios also are analog capable so don t forget to add some of your local FM repeaters. I encourage you to support and use the local D- Star repeaters when possible, but keep in mind some repeater owners don t appreciate you linking to other reflectors without their consent. Avoid the hassle and buy a programing cable and sobware so that you don t get frustrated and loose interest.

17 Local D- Star Repeater System D- Star Repeater Sta*on A Sta*on B

18 D- Star E<queTe Listen for about a minute to make sure no one is talking and then put out your call. Even though your call is displayed on the screen, it is s*ll a good idea to say your call when you first key up (you may be talking to someone who is mobile and you want them to keep their eyes on the road). Check the status of the repeater or reflector you are working through before transmiqng. If working through a reflector, leave at least a 3 to 5 second gap between overs so that other users can call in or disconnect. If all sta*ons in a QSO are working through a local repeater and it is connected to a reflector, disconnect the repeater from the reflector. If all sta*ons in a QSO are base sta*ons, then QSY to one of the chat modules. Don't run radio tests, microphone tests, etc., over the main reflector; use one of the chat modules.

19 Raspberry PI SD Card Setup Op*ons There are four op*ons for seqng the opera*ng system on your SD Card: Op*on 1 Interac*ve PC- Base Setup Op*on 2 Headless Basic Setup Op*on 3 Tradi*onal Image Setup 1 Op*on 4 Tradi*onal Image Setup 2 Download the most current image from the link below: h]p://w6kd.boards.net/thread/2/dstar- commander- public- release- download Download the most current Win32DiskImager Disk imaging tool to write an Image to your SD card h]p://westerndstar.co.uk/html/downloads.html

20 SD Card Setup Op*on 1 Interac<ve PC- Based Setup This is a small standalone Windows program (DStarConfig.exe) included in this download that allows you to configure your image, including WiFi network seqngs while it is s*ll on the PC's card reader aber wri*ng the image to the SD/MicroSD card. See Interac*ve PC- Based Setup.pdf for details. Download loca*on: h]p://w6kd.boards.net/thread/2/dstar- commander- public- release- download Read the Interac*ve PC- Based Setup file located in the Docs folder first.

21 SD Card Setup Op*on 2 Simplified Basic Headless Setup This method allows you to set up the Raspberry Pi for basic opera*on with a few commands from your radio and nothing more. This method allows a rapid basic setup using only the radio and your Raspberry Pi B/B+ loaded with a fresh copy of the image. See Headless Basic Setup.pdf for setup instruc*ons. Download loca*on: h]p://w6kd.boards.net/thread/2/dstar- commander- public- release- download Read the Interac*ve PC- Based Setup file located in the Docs folder first.

22 SD Card Setup Op*on 3 Tradi<onal Raspberry Pi GUI- based Setup This configura*on is via access to various graphical setup programs for basic features and edi*ng of a few text files for all addi*onal features. It requires access to the desktop via either a connected monitor/keyboard/mouse, or via VNC or SSH connec*ons to the Pi from another computer. See Tradi*onal Image Setup.pdf for instruc*ons. Download loca*on: h]p://w6kd.boards.net/thread/2/dstar- commander- public- release- download Read the Interac*ve PC- Based Setup file located in the Docs folder first.

23 SD Card Setup Op*on 4 Take a look at the Western D- Star site it is an excellent sobware resource for D- Star related downloads, How To s and sharing the exper*se and experiences of it s users. The configura*ons are available via access to various graphical setup programs for basic features and edi*ng of a few text files for all addi*onal features. It requires access to the desktop via either a connected monitor/ keyboard/mouse, or via VNC or SSH connec*ons to the Pi from another computer. It is also a great resource if you need access to the Win32DiskImager Disk imaging tool to write an Image to your SD card h]p://westerndstar.co.uk/html/downloads.html

24 Suggested Yahoo User Groups D- Star Development This group is dedicated to discussing and sharing informa*on about implemen*ng end user D- Star systems using non Icom D- Star hardware. DVDongle This group is for the discussion of the DV Dongle used for D- Star ham radio communica*ons. Raspberry_Pi_4- Ham_RADIO This is a place for Amateur Radio Ops to discuss the Raspberry Pi and how it can be applied to Ham Radio. D- Star So[ware radio Group dedicated to sobware for receiving and transmiqng digital voice (D- Star). PC Repeater Controller This group exists to distribute and support PC- based repeater controllers that are able to provide analogue, D- Star or combined repeater controlling. DVAPDongle This group is for discussions of the DV Access Point Dongle. ircddb Gateway This group is to support the G4KLX ircddb Gateway package. This program when used with either an Icom ID- RP2C based repeater stack or one or more homebrew repeaters (sound card, dummy, GMSK modem, DV- RPTR modem, and DVAP)

25 Web Resources Find out who s on D- Star and locate a gateway for registra*on. h]p:// Starusers.org Downloads for DVtool sobware,, Repeater list and D- Star nets. h]p:// This site contains genera D- star informa*on. h]p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/d- STAR This website contains informa*on about seqng up the GMSK Modem h]p:// setup.htm This website contains sobware you can download. h]p:// This website contains just about all you would want to know to get started with D- Star. h]p:// This website is about D- STAR, and, really, about making your own equipment for the D- STAR communica*ons system for Amateur Radio operators, ranging from simple GMSK node adapters ("modems") to complete transceivers, repeaters and so on. h]p:// star.eu/ This site is to provide D- Star related downloads and How To s and share the exper*se and experiences of it s users h]p://westerndstar.co.uk/index.html

26 Useful YouTube Videos DV Dongle D- Star Installa<on and Opera<on How To Windows XP htp:// XGfIg How to Use a DV Dongle with DV Tool So[ware to Access D- Star htp:// Icom D- STAR Gateway Registra<on h]p:// How to Setup a Raspberry PI and DVAP for D Star htp:// Raspberry Pi running G4KLX ircddb Gateway so[ware htp:// D- Star Hotspot part 1 & 2 h]p:// u8iwqpzu1k h]p:// oa

27 Acknowledgements Grateful acknowledgement is made to the following for individuals and groups for making this sobware, informa*on, and hard available to the Amateur Radio public. Jim Moen, K6JM Bob Sco], W6KD Jonathan Naylor, G4KLX Western D- Star Group I d also like to thank those hams that par*cipate on the D- Star tech sessions conducted on REf012A each Thursday at 01:30 UTC *me and REf058B immediately aber the Alabama D- Star net conducted each Tuesday at 03:00 UTC. Lots of good informa*on, discussions as well as ques*ons and answers.