November 27, 2010Ottawa D-STAR Symposium

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Ottawa DSTAR SymposiumOttawa DSTAR SymposiumDV-Dongle, DVAP and DV-Hotspot

Andrew Webb

M0GRU

OverviewOverview Terminology

DV-DongleDVAP-DongleHotspot

Summary

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TerminologyTerminology

DV-Dongle: USB device which allows user to use their personal computer and internet connection to access the DSTAR network (headset mic recommended)

DVAP Dongle: USB device similar to DV Dongle to connect to D-STAR network over the internet but uses a built-in 10mW transmitter for users to access D-STAR. Access Point can be set to a particular 2m frequency and user can then use HT/mobile around the house or the near vicinity

Hotspot: USB or standalone device gives D-STAR users access to remote D-STAR systems using OTA interface. Can be simplex or repeater. (Interface is connected to a 9.6k ready or modified radio)

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Accessing the D-STAR NetworkAccessing the D-STAR Network

Accessing the gateway multi-trust D-STAR network requires registration of your callsign with your local D-STAR Gateway repeater administrator

– Without your callsign being registered, access will be limited to local RF repeater/simplex use only and your data stream will not be passed along through the Gateway onto the internet. This includes the use of DVDongles, DVAPs and Hotspots.

– You only need to register once; your registered callsign can be used to access any Gateway on the multi-trust system. If you move away and are still using the same callsign, registration is not required a second time – the SAME callsign cannot be registered on two DSTAR gateway systems.

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DV-DongleDV-Dongle– The DV Dongle connects to your PC or Apple Mac via a USB port and provides

encoding and decoding of compressed audio using the DVSI AMBE2000 full duplex vocoder DSP chip.  AMBE technology is used in all D-Star radios to provide efficient voice transmissions.  It is also used in some HF digital protocols by vendors like AOR.  The DVTool application used with the DV Dongle may be installed and run on Microsoft Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS X Leopard, or many flavors of Linux.

– When installing and driver is not found, download the driver from http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

– by clicking on the “setup executable” link on that web page.  Run the downloaded executable and the drivers will be automatically installed

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DV-DongleDV-Dongle

DV-Dongle Software available at: http://opendstar.org/tools

– Contains some additional features not available using software provided by DVDONGLE.COM

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DV-DongleDV-Dongle

Hints and tips:

– Use headset microphone

– Use the audio test feature prior to TX to adjust your audio levels

– Relatively fast computer if possible

– Edit hosts file to allow for connections to NA-Trust registered hotspots.

The trick is to add the following lines to your C:\WINDOWS\System32\Drivers\ETC\hosts file: 188.203.83.181 dstarns.opendstar.org opendstar.org dstarns 188.203.83.181 dstarns.opengateway.org

dvtool.opengateway.org opengateway.org 188.203.83.181 dstarns.dstargateway.org dvtool.dstargateway.org

The two lines are sometimes needed, the third line is always needed.After adding, reboot the PC, and Dvtool should now be connecting to DPNS, and, with that, it should "see" the hotspots! Please note that this tip is courtesy of www.dutch-star.eu/network/index.aspx

-NOTE modifications to HOSTS file done so at YOUR OWN RISK, not responsible for any damages

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DV-DONGLEDV-DONGLE

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Hotspots are listed at the end of the drop down menu and not in alphabetical order!

DVAP DongleDVAP Dongle The DV Access Point Dongle connects to your PC or Intel based Mac via a USB port and

provides a 2 meter Access Point for use with a D-STAR radio.  Using an Internet connection, a user may connect to and communicate with D-STAR gateways and reflectors around the world.  The DVAPTool application used with the DV Access Point Dongle may be installed and run on Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7, Mac OS X Leopard/Snow Leopard, or many flavors of Linux.

When installing and driver is not found, download the driver from http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm by clicking on the “setup executable” link on that web page.  Run the downloaded executable and the drivers will be automatically installed

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DVAP DongleDVAP Dongle

IMPORTANT*– Although DVAP connects to USB port of computer –requires use

of an external DSTAR capable radio to access

– RF output is 10mW on 2m ONLY

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DV-HotspotDV-Hotspot

Available as kits or built and tested from various sources E.g. www.dutch-star.nl

Most kits have detailed installation instructions with little to no fine tuning required

Load appropriate software and drivers and run any config software – follow all instructions carefully– Txdelay settings, COS polarity to name a few

Connect USB to computer Connect to 9K6 ready or modified radio

– COS adjustments may be required depending on radio – follow instructions provided

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DV-HotspotDV-Hotspot

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•445.850MHz Almonte Hot Spot VE3XZT B

Run by DALE VE3XZT, commonly linked to VA3ODG B or REF016B; is open to all to use and link/unlink

•445.850MHz Cumberland Hot Spot VA3RCB H

Run by RICK VE3CVG, commonly linked to VA3ODG C

•445.860MHz Kanata Hot Spot VE3FSR

Run by Greg VA3OMP FreeStar

Establishing a QSOEstablishing a QSOUsing a HOTSPOT/DVAPUsing a HOTSPOT/DVAP

Linking to a REFLECTOR– Using VE3XZT B linking to REF016 B:– UR: REF016BL– RPT1:– RPT2:NOT USE*– MY:VE3UIY– Press the PPT for ~2 seconds, the data header will be sent and the Hotspot/DVAP will return with a

voice message “Link Established” or text “Connected…….” Once a link has been established you will need to change your settings to the following:

– UR: CQCQCQ– RPT1:– RPT2:NOT USE*– MY:VE3UIY

Unlinking– UR: (I use a generic setting such that I have a memory channel for VE3XZT B with UR:-------U as

long as the eighth character is U it will unlink The repeater will return “Link disconnected”

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IMPORTANT!!!!!

ComparisonComparison

Feature DV-Dongle DVAP-Dongle DV Hotspot

DSTAR Capable radio required

NO YES YES

Computer Required YES YES YES

Computer Headset required YES NO NO

External Radio with 9k6 data port of modified radio

required

NO NO YES

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DSTAR in OTTAWADSTAR in OTTAWA

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SummarySummary Only touched the surface with what you can do with D-STAR. Combination of DVAPS, Hotspot can really extend the coverage area

providing access to areas where coverage by local d-star repeater coverage may otherwise be limited

Possibilities are endless!! Experiment and have fun!

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