Digital Voice and Data ICOM D-Star The Cutting Edge? California
Yacht Club Radio Amateur Group June 14, 2008 www.papasys.org
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11 The PAPA System www.papasys.org
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2 CONTENTS About D-STAR Key Benefits Why D-STAR D-STAR Benefits
D-STAR Radios Stand alone system operation Gateway (Linked) system
operation RF configuration of repeaters Resources Conclusion
www.papasys.org
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33 WHAT IS D-STAR Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio
ICOMs implementation of JARL open standard for UHF/VHF digital
voice and data communications 2 Meter, 440 MHz and 1.2 GHz Consists
of radios, repeaters, and (optional) Gateway hardware and software
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) with forward error correction
New Modulation Scheme RF aspects remain unchanged (RF is RF)
www.papasys.org
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WHY D-STAR Why Not D-STAR? Something in it for everyone Gateway
and PC for Data Commx, Programmer, and Networking Interests RF for
the Antenna and RF System interests Rag Chewing on Local and
Gateway Repeaters Amateur Radio allows experimentation An
experiment that seems to be working More Elegant and targeted form
of networking than IRLP or EchoLink Must know users QTH and node
number at that QTH D-STAR only requires knowledge of persons call
sign D-STAR Replace Analog FM??? Akin to AM to SSB on HF in the 50s
and 60s Not to worry D-STAR and Analog will co-exist for a long
time 4 www.papasys.org
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55 KEY BENEFITS Digital Quality Voice Communication Simplex Or
Via Repeater Coverage On 440 Equal To Or Better Than Analog 10% To
15% More Range Try It And Report Back Audio Quality Is Consistent
Nationwide Routed Call Sign Calling Via Gateway No Need To Know QTH
Of Target Key-up Networked D-STAR Machine And The World Knows Your
QTH Data Transmission Low-speed Data On UHF and VHF Wideband
Service Is Available On 1.2 Ghz With Up To 128K Baud Rates Wireless
Internet Access Via Router Available (1.2 GHz) Part 97 Presumably
Applies To Content www.papasys.org
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66 Additional Benefits Extensive support via forums and user
groups Lower RF bandwidth requirements (6.25 KHz vs.16 KHz) Digital
messaging in Digital Voice mode i.e., works on 2M, 440 or 1.2 GHz)
Location services (e.g., D-PRS/APRS) IP compatible, OPEN JARL
standard Probably between 500 + repeaters on the air
(Internationally) Approximately 500 Gateways Approximately 20000
(???) Registered users Gateway users each day estimated 600 to 700
+ www.dstarusers.org www.dstarusers.org 15 20 repeaters in Southern
California Multicast Capability www.papasys.org
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D-STAR REPEATERS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA www.papasys.org 7 Pocket
Auto Patch Association (PAPA) Oat Mtn (Gateway) KI6JKA (447.200-)
Saddle Peak (Gateway) KF6BQK (449.080-) Palomar WB6YES (449.860-)
Woodson Mountain KI6KQU (447.840-) Crest Line Online now Mt Otay
Online now Ed Kane, W6ONT; Cecil Casillas, WD6FZA
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D-STAR REPEATERS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA con. www.papasys.org 8
South Orange ARA (SOARA) K6SOA Laguna Beach (1000) Full Stack w/
Gateway 146.115+; 445.660-; 1282.600-; 1299.900 MHz Brian Roode,
NJ6N; Howard Brown, KG6GI Independent Radio Club Contractors Point
WA6IRC) (Gateway) Full Stack 145.605-; 446.870-; 1282.650-;
1299.700 MHz Blue Ridge W6CPAR (No Gateway) 145.585 -0.600 MHz;
446.87 5.000 MHz Leon Brown, KC6JAR; Ken Chafin, W6CPA Dennis
Hughes, KE6RYZ Keller Peak KC6RYZ Gateway 145.595-
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D-STAR REPEATERS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA con. www.papasys.org 9 Ray
Wunno, KE6LE Rancho Palos Verde KE6LE 449.820- No Gateway Ray
Waldemar, WA6NVL Dave Leeper K6DWL El Monte K6DWL Frequency Not
Noted Gateway HRO Anaheim 1282.55 - Gateway Palm Springs 447.14 -
Gateway K6IFR
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D-STAR RADIOS 10 www.papasys.org
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D-STAR Radio Capabilities D-STAR Radios Modes Radios work in
both digital and analog modes and dual banders are available AM,
FM, FM-N, and Digital Voice (DV) DV Dongle Station Identification
is Automatic in DV Built Into Each Digital Signal Sent Meets all
FCC Identification Requirements Can Send Simultaneously (and
Display on The Radio) Your Name, GPS Position, and Text Message in
the same Data Stream at 2400 Baud At 2X Packet Speed 11
www.papasys.org
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DV Dongle www.papasys.org 12 AMBE Dongle Provides AMBE 2020
interface between a radio and computer through USB port. Computer
can monitor and process baseband packet stream Many more uses
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Dv Dongle PC SCREENS www.papasys.org 13 Initial Start- up
Screen Connected Screen
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D-ECHO Authored By: Robin Cutshaw, AA4RC www.papasys.org 14 The
repeater will record your transmission and play it back upon
un-keying. The application is invoked by entering repeater
call-sign and E into the UrCall field (e.g. KF6BQK E).
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15 GPS Operation www.papasys.org
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16 Low-Speed Data 16 Data, PC Programming Cables IC-91/92AD
& IC-2820 Same Cable used for Both Radios ID-800H PC
Programming OPC-478 or OPC-478U Data OPC-1529R Any Terminal Program
should work ID-91AD Software includes Terminal Prog D-CHAT by NJ6N
(Quite User-Friendly) IC-2820 IC-91AD/92AD IC-80AD ID-800H IC-2820
www.papasys.org
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D-STAR CHAT Authored By Brian, NJ6N 17 www.papasys.org Runs on
Windows Enables text based communications between multiple stations
simultaneously. Runs on repeater, through the gateway, or on
simplex frequency. Customizable Can send periodic QST message.
Filters GPS data from the message stream. Has 7 quick send text
message slots
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18 Radios Now Available ID-1 1.2 GHz Mobile (10 Watts, High
Speed Digital Data, Digital Voice, Analog Voice) -- $900 ID-800H
2M/440 Mobile (55 Watt VHF/50 Watt UHF Digital Voice and Data,
Analog Voice -- $550 IC-2200H 2M Mobile (65 Watt VHF Digital Voice
and Data -- $290 with optional digital module IC-V82/U82 2M/440 HT
(Digital Voice and Data) -- $390 with optional digital module
IC-91AD / IC-92AD / IC-80AD 2M/440 HT (Digital Voice and Data,
Analog Voice) -- $400-500 with digital module IC-2820 Dual Band
Mobile (Analog and Digital) -- approx. $860 with optional DV module
Home brew 2-meter demonstrated at Dayton 2007 DV Dongle
approximately $190
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www.papasys.org 19 COMMUNICATING WITH D-STAR RADIOS
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www.papasys.org 20 No Squelch Tails Or Courtesy Beeps From
Repeaters But You Do Get A Status Read Back! Ur* Or Ur? Usually
Means You Did Go Through RPT* Or RPT? Usually Means You Did Not Go
Through Local Repeater RPT* -Try Again Gateway Ops RPT* Check Your
Routing Calls RPT1 & RPT2 Or Local Gateway Could Be Down Remote
Repeater Could Be Busy Short Transmission From The Repeater About 1
Second After Unkeying Be Conscious Of How Close To The Cliff you Or
Other User May Be Getting Started Local Repeater Usage
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www.papasys.org 21 Lots of Memory Channels Many Setups
Organization Of Channels & Names Programming Software Strongly
Recommended When You Begin To Program For Gateway Usage You Dont
Want To Program Calls While Driving ! PROGRAMMING USERs RADIO
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MAIN REQUIREMENT 22 www.papasys.org PATIENCE PERSISTENCE
P?*
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www.papasys.org 23 LOCAL REPEATER SAME BAND CALL SIGN ENTRIES ^
= Space or Blank Preferred Entrys (First 7 or Fewer Character
Positions) MyCall The Radio Owners Station Call Sign UrCallCQCQCQ,
Repeater, or Individual RPT1KF6BQK^B (note the 8 characters) Good
Idea to use Repeater Call here For 1.2 GHz Repeater { } For 440
Repeater { } e.g. for Saddle Peak For 2M Repeater { } Raised
Repeater Without this Entry RPT2No Entry Required B A C A C B
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Note 1 ModuleA Module C Module B A B C G 24 D-STAR REPEATER
SYSTEM Note 1: Analog RF Components (Filters, Cavities,
Circulators, PreAmps, etc 4 Box System with GATEWAY Shown* * D-STAR
System can be Controller, GateWay PC Plus any 2M, 440, 1.2 GHz DV
or 1.2 GHz DD Modules www.papasys.org
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RADIO INITIAL SETUP - DV 25 Turn on Radio Set Frequency as for
Analog FM (Mt Woodson 446.980 MHz) Set offset ( 0.600 MHz for 2M;
5MHz for 440 ) Decide on the Communication You Want to Accomplish
To whom you want to talk Defined by RPT1 and RPT2 Enter / Program
Call Signs into the Radio Push Buttons, Turn Knobs to Alpha Numeric
Entry Areas 1.MyCall Always the Radio Owners Call Sign (e.g. Cecil
uses WD6FZA) 2.UrCall Always the Station Being Called (CQCQCQ,
Repeater, or Individual) 3.RPT1 Call sign (& port) of the
originating (input) repeater (Local Repeater e.g for Woodson use
KI6KQU^A, B, or C) 4.RPT2 Call sign & designator of the gateway
or cross band port Call Routing (Local Repeater e.g for Mt. Woodson
use KI6KQU^A, B, C, or G) www.papasys.org ^ = Space or Blank
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PROGRAMMING D-STAR RADIOS CALL SIGN ENTRYS 26 www.papasys.org
Decide On The Communication You Want To Accomplish Simplex Repeater
Local Same Band Cross Band (2M To 440, 2M To 1.2 Ghz, 1.2 Ghz To
440 Mhz Another Part Of The World Via The Gateway (e.G. San
Francisco, Atlanta, Australia, Italy) Same Band Cross Band (2M To
440, 2M To 1.2 Ghz, 1.2 Ghz To 440 Mhz) Tells You What To Enter
Into Urcall, RPT1, And RPT2 Blocks Eight Character Positions For
Each Block Seven For Station/Repeater Call Signs Character Position
Number 8 Is A Switch
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SIMPLEX OPERATION CALL SIGN ENTRYS 27 www.papasys.org Preferred
Entrys (First 7 or Fewer Character Positions) MyCall The Radio
Owners Station Call Sign UrCallNo Entry Required RPT1No Entry
Required RPT2No Entry Required Owners Call Sign (MyCall)is
automatically transmitted each time PTT is pressed Communications
can be accomplished with nothing entered for MyCall, UrCall, RPT1
or RPT2
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www.papasys.org 28 Registration Required For Gateway Operation
Get With Your Local Administrator To Get Registered Registering
More Than Once Can Mess UP Gateway Data Base Similar to IRLP Except
D-STAR Calls Are Automatically Routed No Registration Required For
Local Use Conversations Are NOT Private Both Ends Hear All User
Linking / Routing, Not Site Linking User Determines The Route His
Transmission Takes Program Your Radio Ahead Of Time For Mobile
Gateway Operations Gateway Essentials
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YET ANOTHER D-STSAR RADIO PROGRAMMING AID www.papasys.org 29
http://www.dstarinfo.com/Calculator/DS
TAR%20Web%20Calculator.aspx?Sour ce=WA6IRC
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www.papasys.org 30 Gateway Call Sign Entries First Decide With
Whom You Want to Communicate To Where You Want to Communicate
Preferred Entrys (First 7 or Fewer Character Positions for Call
Signs) MyCall The Radio Owners Station Call Sign UrCall / Remote
Repeater Call followed by an,, or OR The Call Sign of the
Individual With Whom You Want to Talk RPT1KF6BQK^, or, or (note the
8 characters) For 1.2 GHz Repeater { } For 440 Repeater { } e.g.
for Mt Woodson For 2M Repeater { } RPT2KF6BQK^G ^ = Space or Blank
/ = CQCQCQ A B C A B C A B C
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31 THE CUTTING EDGE? Not the only digital game in town, but it
works out of the box Excellent performance on 440 ISDN rate
internet access via ID-1 Transparent call routing throughout the
D-Star Network Significant experimentation and innovation is
occurring (e.g., home brew radios, openstar.org)
www.papasys.org
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Appendix www.papasys.org 32
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33 D-STAR REPEATER SYSTEM Note 1: Analog RF Components
(Filters, Cavities, Circulators, PreAmps, etc) Stand Alone 4 Box
System Shown* * D-STAR System can be Controller Plus any 2M, 440,
1.2 GHz DV or 1.2 GHz DD Modules ModuleA Module B Module C
www.papasys.org Note 1 A C B
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www.papasys.org 34 Local Repeater Cross Band Call Sign Entries
440 to 1.2440 to 2M2M to 4402M to 1.21.2 to 4401.2 to 2M MyCall
WD6FZA Ur Call CQCQCQ RPT1 KI6KQU^B KI6KQU^C KI6KQU^A RPT2
KI6KQU^AKI6KQU^CKI6KQU^BKI6KQU^AKI6KQU^BKI6KQU^C BABCCBCAAB A C A C
B ^ = Space or Blank As an Example : WD6FZA Communicating Cross
Band on the Mt Woodson D- STAR Repeater
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35 RESOURCES
http://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/dstar/default.asp Icom D-Star
Homehttp://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/dstar/default.asp
illinoisdigitalham (Yahoo Group, digital radio in general,
including D-Star) http://www.hamradio-dv.org/ Digital Radio Audio
Comparisonshttp://www.hamradio-dv.org/
http://www.icomamerica.com/support/forums/ D-Star Forums (ICOM
hosted)http://www.icomamerica.com/support/forums/
http://www.arrl-al.org/D-STAR_class_2.pdf DSTAR
Radioshttp://www.arrl-al.org/D-STAR_class_2.pdf
http://www.icomamerica.com/downloads/manuals.asp Icomamerica
manuals downloads (ICOM
hosted)http://www.icomamerica.com/downloads/manuals.asp
http://www.ccdastronomy.org/D-Star (this presentation, in the about
D-Star section)http://www.ccdastronomy.org/D-Star
www.papasys.org
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http://D-STARusers.org www.papasys.org 36 Provides listing of
most recently heard stations, time, reporting node geographical
locale and maps of repeater locations.
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DSTAR REPEATER DIRECTORY www.papasys.org 37
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www.papasys.org / = CQCQCQ on Remote Box GATEWAY REPEATER CALL
SIGN ENTRIES 440 to 1.2440 to 2M2M to 4402M to 1.21.2 to 4401.2 to
2M MyCall WD6FZA Ur Call
/VK8RADA/VK8RADC/VK8RADB/VK8RADA/VK8RADB/VK8RADC RPT1 KI6KQU^B
KI6KQU^C KI6KQU^A RPT2 KI6KQU^G BABCCBCAAB A C ^ = Space or Blank
ModuleA Module C Module B A B C G As an Example : WD6FZA
Communicating Through the Mt. Woodson D-STAR Repeater Gateway on
The Darwin, AU VK8RAD 2 Meter Box
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39 Gateway Operation www.papasys.org
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40 LINKED REPEATER (GATEWAY) OPERATION www.papasys.org KF6BQK B
KF6BQK G TALKING TO VK8RF VK8HF VK8RAD G /VK8RADC OR VK8HF DARWIN,
AUSTRALIA San Diego WD6FZA D-STAR Radio Entries = MyCall = UrCall
RPT1 = RPT2 =
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41 Call Sign Squelch (DSQL) & Code Squelch (CSQL) Call Sign
Squelch (DSQL) Configuration option on your radio If enabled,
squelch opens only when your call sign is received Call sign
squelch is bypassed if calling station operates in EMR mode Code
Squelch (CSQL) Configuration option on your radio Squelch opens
only when a preset code is received Programmable codes: 0-99 Code
squelch is bypassed if calling station operates in EMR mode
www.papasys.org