D-STAR Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio. Presentation to Socorro Hamfest Saturday, October 21st, 2017 Ed James, KA8JMW

Transcription

1 D-STAR Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio Presentation to Socorro Hamfest Saturday, October 21st, 2017 Ed James, KA8JMW

2 Digital protocol data and voice transmitted simultaneously Designed specifically for amateur radio use Developed by Japanese Amateur Radio League (JARL), published in 2001 Normal on-air bit rate: 4800 bits/sec Higher bit rate available on 1200 MHz: 128 kbit/sec Modulation types supported GMSK QPSK 4FSK What is D-STAR? Protocol is wide open despite rumors to the contrary 2 of 19

3 Digital Basics Voice (analog) is converted to data Data may be added to voice to produce a single data stream containing voice and data Radio is modulated as a data carrier Occupied bandwidth is determined by data bit rate and type of modulation Generally, digital voice and data occupies less spectrum than analog FM Narrowband Digital 3 of 19

4 Readability Digital Basics Digital voice does not gradually degrade in quality as signal level decreases Digital vs Analog 100 Digital Analog Threshold Signal Strength % 4 of 19

5 D-STAR Technical Characteristics D-STAR Bandwidth Channel spacing Repeater Linking Linking / routing control Data Radio Programming Other user devices DV mode 6.25 KHz 6K00F7W, DD Mode 150KF1D 10, 12.5 KHz pairs Open via Internet (DPLUS or ircddb) Determined by user, sent from radio 1200, 3600 bps 128 kbps (1.2 GHz) Front panel, software Multiple vendors (Dongle, DVAP, GMSK modems, hotspot adapters) 5 of 19

6 How does D-STAR work? Voice is converted to digital modulation and transmitted at 4800 bps 2400 bits for voice 1200 bits for Forward Error Correction on voice 1200 bits for data (error correction usually in applications True narrowband digital signal Voice and data occupy one 6.25 KHz signal (versus wider bandwidth for FM voice, P25 and MotoTRBO) Can operate simplex, repeater or linked to other repeater(s) 6 of 19

7 What is D-STAR? 7 of 19

8 D-STAR Equipment D-STAR radios (mobiles, handhelds, repeaters) commercially produced by ICOM & Kenwood DV Dongle is non-radio device allowing access to repeaters and reflectors via Internet (similar to EchoLink) DV Access Point (DVAP) creates low power hotspot via Internet Hotspot boards create low power access point with Raspberry Pi Node Adapters converts FM transceiver to D-STAR hotspots and repeaters 8 of 19

9 Mobiles IC-2200 and ID-800 were initial mobiles D-STAR board can be added to IC-2200 ID-880 updated ID-800 with improved user functions Dual-band, single receive mobile ID-4100A Dual-band, single receive mobile IC-2820 is full featured mobile Dual-band, dual receive Built-in GPS with external antenna ID-5100A mobile offers new features Dual-Band, dual receive GPS built into head unit Touchscreen display Optional Bluetooth interface DR Mode with 1200 geocoded memories 9 of 19

10 Handheld D-STAR radios IC-91AD was initial D-STAR handheld Dual-band, dual receive IC-92AD dual-band, dual receive Slightly larger frame with more heat sink Waterproof GPS spkr/mic optional accessory IC-80 introduced as lower cost handheld Dual-band, single receive GPS spkr/mic accessory available ID-31A is 70cm handheld Waterproof SD card for memory storage, update memory from downloads Built-in GPS User friendly DR Mode, locate closest repeater ID-51A dual band handheld All features of ID-31A, but dual band, dual receive ID-51A Anniversary Edition/Plus model nearest FM repeater location 3X data rate with other 51A/5100 radios ID-51A Plus 2 Terminal mode Access Point Mode Android app Additional linking command Repeater search function Kenwood TH-D74A Built-in GPS Bluetooth APRS built-in 1200/9600 bps TNC Color display 10 of 19

11 ID-1 for 1.2 GHz Voice and Data Operates FM, Digital Voice (DV), low speed data and high speed data (DV) High speed data, DD mode, connection is Ethernet compatible Acts as Ethernet bridge Discontinued 11 of 19

12 D-STAR Repeater Architecture 12VDC power A n t e n n a s Running CentOS Linux and Icom Gateway software 12 of 19

13 What can D-STAR Do? Transmit or receive voice and 1200 baud data simultaneously on 2m, 440 and 1.2 GHz (no TNC required) 128 Kb data transmission on 1.2 GHz with Internet connectivity (Ethernet bridge to Internet with IP address) D-PRS (digital APRS) automatic position reporting simultaneous with voice with GPS Flexible repeater linking with Gateway and Internet connection Reflectors act as conference bridge for linking multiple repeaters (77 DPLUS Reflectors, >100 DCS and XRF Reflectors now in operation worldwide) DV Dongle, DV Access Point (DVAP) / Hotspots and DV Node Adapters allow voice and data access to D-STAR via Internet connection (similar to EchoLink) 13 of 19

14 The Registration Process Why register? Registering your callsign allows access to more functions on DPLUS repeaters (not required for ircddb repeaters) Register on your local or the closest system, if possible Register on one and only one system (local registration syncs with all systems throughout world) Registration is a three-step process (all three steps must be completed) 14 of 19

15 Starting Registration Step 1 Browse to desired system and register as new user ( 15 of 19

16 Fill Out Your Info Fill out the info (callsign, name, address and desired password) Step 2 System administrator must approve your initial registration. Recommend that You the gateway administrator. 16 of 19

17 Add a Terminal Step 3 Add at least one terminal with a space in first row under Initial Note: You only need one terminal, a space for use. Adding more terminals can add confusion 17 of 19

18 What Can I Do? Talk with someone local via your D-STAR Repeater KA8JMW Edgewood W5MPZ D-STAR Repeater Sandia Crest N5BGC Santa Fe 18 of 30

19 What Can I Do? Talk with someone local and elsewhere in world via your local D-STAR repeater and gateway KA8JMW Edgewood W5MPZ D-STAR Repeater Gateway KF4PWI Atlanta, GA (DV Dongle) N5BGC Santa Fe 19 of 30

20 What Can I Do? Link your local D-STAR repeater to another repeater in the world and talk with a friend KA8JMW Edgewood W5MPZ D-STAR Repeater W5ELP D-STAR Repeater AE5HE El Paso Gateway RF or Internet Gateway N5BGC Santa Fe 20 of 30

21 What Can I Do? Link your local D-STAR repeater to a Reflector and talk with many friends from many places around the world D-STAR Repeater D-STAR Repeater KA8JMW Edgewood D-STAR Repeater Gateway D-STAR Reflector Gateway Gateway D-STAR Repeater Gateway D-STAR Repeater D-STAR Repeater Gateway D-STAR Repeater Gateway Gateway 21 of 30

22 Getting on the Air FM Repeater Mode - FM Frequency Offset CTCSS / TSQ Tone frequency D-STAR Repeater Mode - FM Frequency Offset UR RPT1 RPT2 22 of 30

23 The Key to Mastering D-STAR MY or MYCALL is your own callsign and is set once in radio UR or URCALL: Where do I want to go? RPT1: The repeater and module I am transmitting to (ex. W5MPZ B) RPT2: Where I want my transmission to go (normally to G, the Gateway) NOTE: It s a good practice to put the callsign and G in RPT2 even if talking local so other linked repeaters, DV Dongles and DV Access Points can hear your transmissions 23 of 30

24 Add Your Callsign to Radio For a radio, program your callsign (caps, no spaces) in MYCALL or MY field Found in Menu under MY STATION in newer radios For a DVAP, DV Dongle or Hotspot, program call in callsign field exactly as entered in registration terminal 24 of 19

25 Example: To key up / talk on repeater W5MPZ repeater (443.8 MHz, +5 MHz offset) MY KA8JMW UR CQCQCQ RPT1 W5MPZ B RPT2 W5MPZ G Each represents a space Always in 8 th character position D-STAR Module Lettering Standard A = 1200 MHz voice B = 440 MHz voice C = 144 MHz voice 25 of 30

26 Using DPLUS Features on Repeater DPLUS is a program developed by Robin Cutshaw, AA4RC, which adds linking functions and the use of DV Dongles and DV Access Points to D-STAR. DPLUS is active on most gateway-equipped repeaters. Functions available with DPLUS G Gateway E Echo Test I Identification L Link Repeater U Unlink Repeater 26 of 30

27 Example: Echo Test W5MPZ repeater (443.8 MHz, +5 MHz offset) MY UR RPT1 RPT2 KA8JMW E W5MPZ B W5MPZ G Always in 8 th character position Each represents a space What happens: Repeater will record whatever you transmit and automatically replay it back over the air when you release your PTT button. 27 of 30

28 Example: Make Repeater Identify W5MPZ repeater (443.8 MHz, +5 MHz offset) MY UR RPT1 RPT2 KA8JMW I W5MPZ B W5MPZ G Each represents a space What happens: Repeater will respond with Not Linked if not linked, or Remote System Linked if linked, and repeater or reflector callsign displayed on radio. 28 of 30

29 Example: Link to Repeater W5MPZ repeater (443.8 MHz, +5 MHz offset) MY UR RPT1 RPT2 KA8JMW NM5WR BL W5MPZ B W5MPZ G Always in 7 th and 8 th character positions Each represents a space What happens: W5MPZ repeater will be linked to the 440 MHz module of the NM5WR repeater. Voice prompt: Remote system linked 29 of 30

30 Example: Link to Reflector W5MPZ repeater (443.8 MHz, +5 MHz offset) MY KA8JMW UR REF055AL (Module A) RPT1 W5MPZ B RPT2 W5MPZ G Each represents a space What happens: W5MPZ repeater will be linked to Module A of Reflector 55. Voice prompt: Remote system linked 30 of 30

31 Example: Link to Reflector W5MPZ repeater (443.8 MHz, +5 MHz offset) MY UR RPT1 RPT2 KA8JMW U W5MPZ B W5MPZ G Each represents a space What happens: W5MPZ repeater will be unlinked from whatever repeater/reflector it s tied to. Voice prompt: Remote system unlinked 31 of 30

32 Memory Management Radios have different capabilities and number of memories First generation radios have standard memory locations for FM or DV Method 1 Store commands in memory for favorite reflectors or repeaters Method 2 Use UR memories for favorite reflectors or repeaters (uses fewer memory locations Newer radios with DR mode simplify programming Method 3 Use DR mode with repeater list and GPS for nearest repeater 32 of 30

33 Organizing Your Radio s Memories Example of creating a memory group or bank for W5MPZ repeater. Would create similar banks for each repeaters CH No Frequency Dup Offset TS Mode Name Your Call Sign RPT1 Call Sign RPT2 Call Sign DUP kHz DV W5MPZ C CQCQCQ W5MPZ B W5MPZ G DUP kHz DV UNLINK U W5MPZ B W5MPZ G DUP kHz DV W5MPZ ID I W5MPZ B W5MPZ G DUP kHz DV NM5WR L NM5WR BL W5MPZ B W5MPZ G DUP kHz DV W5URD L W5URD BL W5MPZ B W5MPZ G DUP kHz DV W5GB L W5GB CL W5MPZ B W5MPZ G DUP kHz DV REF002A L REF002AL W5MPZ B W5MPZ G DUP kHz DV REF025C L REF025CL W5MPZ B W5MPZ G DUP kHz DV REF030C L REF030CL W5MPZ B W5MPZ G DUP kHz DV ECHOTEST E W5MPZ B W5MPZ G 33 of 30

34 D-STAR in New Mexico Approx 80% of NM ham community blanketed by Thirteen D-STAR repeater sites. 34 of 30

35 NM D-STAR Repeaters D-STAR repeaters also in Grants & El Paso TX 35

36 Gateway Dashboard Status 36 of 30

37 Reflector Status 37 of 30

38 NM D-STAR net Thursdays 8pm on REF055A D-STAR Resources New Mexico D-STAR listserve (NM-DSTAR) A state-wide resource for collaboration, Q&A, upcoming activities, etc. 133 hams subscribed across New Mexico and the country Prospective and curious users Current users All of New Mexico s D-STAR repeater admins ARES members/leaders New Mexico s frequency coordinator chairman Visit Or simply Google nm-dstar D-STAR info 38 of 30