NE-FL D-STAR System

The Journal of the North East Florida D-Star Repeater Network

Archive for June 8th, 2010

HOW TO USE A DV DONGLE

Jun 8

Posted by N4FPS in Dongles and DVAPs | 5 Comments

DV DONGLE

Before we even get started, you must register on the D-STAR gateway before you can use your DV Dongle.  It simply will not work if you don’t register first.

Ok here we go.  My quest in this article is to provide a simple, who cares what the instructions say, this is really the way to do it, how to install and us a DV Dongle.

First I feel compelled, don’t ask me why, to give you the technical definition of a DV Dongle.  So here it is quoted from the Web Site http://www.dvdongle.com/DV_Dongle/Home.html : “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.”

 Ok now that that’s out of the way, here is the down and dirty definition:  The DV Dongle is a device that connects to your computer through a USB port and uses your computer’s sound card working together with a good quality head set / microphone allowing you to connect to any gateway (internet) enabled D-STAR repeater or D-Star reflector and talk to anyone who is also connected to or monitoring the same. So that’s what the DV Dongle is and does, now how do we get it to do all that?  The rest of this article is dedicated to giving you a step by step written and graphical guide to installing the DV Dongle and the appropriate software as well as configuring the same.  Scroll down below the various steps to see a screen shot of what the text is referring to.

 Step 1. Plug the DV Dongle into an open USB 2.0 PC port.  The “Found New Hardware Wizard” should display. Select “Yes, this time only” and click “Next” to have Windows search for the appropriate driver. Select “Install the software automatically” and click “Next” to install the FT232R USB UART driver.  If the 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. Click “Finish” to complete installation of the first driver.

 Step 2. The “Found New Hardware Wizard” should display again.  Select “Yes, this time only” and click “Next” to have Windows search for the appropriate FTDI driver. Select “Install the software automatically” and click “Next” to install the USB Serial Port driver. The DV Dongle driver installation is complete.  The green LED on the DV Dongle should now be pulsing on and off. (Note: on my windows 7 machine I plugged the Dv Dongle in with a live internet connection and everything was found and installed without a single action on my part.)

 Step 3.  Download the latest DV Tools software version 2.0 beta 4 at  http://www.opendstar.org/tools/DVTool-2.0beta4.exe. Install the software by clicking on all the default yes answers and let the software load in the default locations on your computer. Simple enough so far right?

 Step 4. Make sure you have a solid high speed internet connection and that it is on and functioning.  This is real important because DVtools will not run if it does not detect a solid internet connection or a connection that is too slow for proper operation.  A dial-up connection probably won’t work.

 Step 5.  Once the software is loaded, click on the DVtool-2.0beta4.exe file to run the DVtool software. When it loads you will see a black DOS like screen and a blue user interface (See Below) which is your main operating screen.  The DOS screen shows various processes such as connection status, user information and various software settings.  This screen has no user interface and can be pretty much ignored by the casual user. It is a great tool however, should you have connection problems.  Just read the information and it will pretty much tell you what the issue is.

 Step 6. The blue DVTool screen is where the action takes place and the connections and configuring happens. On this screen you will see the My Callsign and My Message fields.  You obviously put in your personal call sign in the MY Callsign filed.  Most folks put an “A” in the eighth position after the call sign as a standard indicator that they are using a DV Dongle. If you use the “A” designation after your Callsign, that must be registered on the D-STAR Gateway to be recognized.  In the Message field you can put any appropriate message up to 20 characters that identifies you or your location or whatever you want.  The next tab down is “DV DEVICE” which should show the comport that the Dongle is assigned to:  You now simply hit the “OPEN” button to connect to the comport and activate the DV Dongle.

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                       

Step 7. After you open the comport you will need to set your audio settings before attempting to connect to a Repeater or Reflector.  This is done by going to the “SET UP” tab and then the “AUDIO TAB”. You will see the audio input and audio output devices available to you.  Select the headset microphone and earphones of your headset for these settings. You will see two tabs below this that say “TEST AUDIO USING SOUND CARD ONLY” and TEST AUDIO USING DV DONGLE”  click one of these at a time and speak in a normal voice into your headset and listen to your voice while adjusting the audio settings in your sound card for audio output and microphone input volume until you hear a clear and proper sound level coming back to you.  This can be adjusted more with on the air tests as you talk to others later.

                                                                                                                                                       

Step 8. The actual connection to the D-STAR Network is accomplished by clicking the “CONNECTION” tab and then you will see “CONNECT TO GATEWAY” and then a drop down list of gateway active Repeaters and Reflectors.  Click on the one you want to connect to and also the port designation to the right of the repeaters must be set to the proper port either A,B, or C.  You then hit the “CONNECT TO GATEWAY” tab and you should connect to the indicated repeater or gateway you chose.

Step 9.  To talk, you use your mouse to click on the green PTT button located on the bottom right of the DVTOOLS window.  If you have the lock feature checked, you click the mouse once to key and click again to un-key. If the lock feature is not selected you click on the PTT button to remain keyed and once you let off of the mouse button the software will un-key. You speak directly into your headset microphone to talk. To disconnect from a Repeater or Reflector you simply hit the “DISCONNECT” button.

There are other features to the software under the set-up tab to change the way the DVTools Window looks and feels but that is another lesson and won’t do much to help you connect and use the D-STAR Gateway.  For additional information on how to use A DV Dongle go to the DV Dongle site at http://www.dvdongle.com/DV_Dongle/Home.html. 

Have fun with your Dongles.

The Icom RP-2C Repeater Controller

Jun 8

Posted by mikelee in D-Star Repeaters | 6 Comments

The Icom RP-2C is the heart of a D-Star repeater system, being the digital equivalent of the “Repeater Controller”. All intelligence in the repeater system, regardless of how many RF modules are installed (max=4), is controlled by the RP-2C.

Unlike other repeater “controllers”, the RP-2c is completely digital. Interfacing to the band-modules is via an RJ-45 “ethernet” cable and the controller talks to each of the band modules using TCP/IP – much like your computer talks to your home router and across the internet.

Each RP-2C can support a maximum of four (4) band  modules, commonly: 2m, 440, 1.2Ghz voice and 1.2Ghz Data. Each of the voice modules is a full-duplex module, meaning that there is simultaneous transmit and receive operation. The 1.2Ghz data module is a store-and-forward module, so no duplexer or transmitter/receiver isolator is required. All other modules require a duplexer or isolator, like in traditional analog repeater systems. Duplexers and isolators are the same as that used in analog systems, although the narrower bandwidth makes the bandpass characteristics of existing duplexers even more effective (higher isolation due to the narrower bandwidth).

There are 4 connections that need to be made for installation of an RP-2C in a “single-stack”, Gateway connected repeater:

  • Power – 12vdc at a maximum of 20A
  • Power cable from the RP-2C to the Band-Module
  • Ethernet connection to the Band-Module
  • Ethernet connection from the RP-2C to the Internet (if a Gateway is installed)

Systems with more than one band-module will have 2 additional connections to the RP-2C for each module:  (1) for 12vdc power and (2) for ethernet connection between the band module and the RP-2C. All signaling and audio between the RP-2C and the band-module is done across the digital link using TCP/IP – analogous to PTT, COS, Audio-In and Audio-Out.

In addition to each band module being connected to the RP-2C via ethernet, the controller itself is “programmed” using an ethernet connection to a laptop. While there are many options available on the controller, there is just one (1) parameter which is most important – the CALLSIGN of the repeater (#6 on the diagram below). This is the only parameter which is not defaulted from the factory. Other parameters which need to be set and/or modified include the band-module mapping to the controller (which modules, what ports are they occupying on the controller) – depicted in #8-10 below. If a gateway system is used (connection to the internet for linking purposes), then parameter #12 is checked (associated parameters are almost always left to default, unless there is a unique requirement from the internet provider). Parameters 15-20 are almost always left to default values.

Once all required values are set in the software, we WRITE the configuration to the RP-2C  (#4 in the diagram). The controller will respond with an acknowledgement – and we’re done..!!

Connection of the Band Modules to the RP-2C is very simple, as there are only 2 connections that need to be made, as said previously:

  • 12vdc from the Band-Module to the RP-2C
  • Ethernet from the Band-Module to the RP-2C

A diagram of the Rear panel of the RP-2C is below and shows the following:

  • #1 is for the 4 possible 12vdc outputs to Band Modules
  • #2 is for Band Module Ethernet Ports, normally 1.2Ghz Voice, UHF, VHF, 1.2Ghz Data
  • #3-6 is for the Microwave linking system (not normally used in the US)
  • #7 is for connection to 12vdc (rated 20A)

The front panel contains the following, from Left to Right:

  • On/Off switch, with indicator light to it’s immediate right
  • Ethernet port, for programming and for connection to the Gateway computer
  • Service #1 and #2 are not normally used
  • Assist #1 and #2 are not normally used, except for the Icom microwave link

And there you have it…. 2 programming parameters and 4 cables to be connected, plus connection to 12vdc. That’s all there is to it – no wiring, no hassles, no magic and NO SECRETS. This is the beauty of commercial-grade equipment – and why we believe that most people can be trained to maintain these system in a swap-out mode.

Now that you know what’s involved, sign-up for Hand-On training, by indicating your interest in the comments section. We would love to get about 4-6 people trained and certified on installation and maintenance so that we spread both the knowledge and the workload.

Flagler Frequencies for Minitor-IV

Jun 8

Posted by mikelee in Flagler EOC | 2 Comments

Those of us lucky enough to be of retirement age might often carry a handheld radio with us all of the time, especially if severe weather is looming. But some of us are still working and can’t be (or shouldn’t be) seen with our radios in-hand unless there is an emergency situation looming or in progress. For those of you (like me) who are in the office, yet need to be able to monitor for emergency events, an old-style but technically updated Pager might be right for you. I have just started carrying my Motorola Minitor-IV pager (fully synthesized for frequency and tones) and it is wonderful to be able to have a “connection” to emergency services, while still being in business attire.

There are many variants of the Minitor-IV, but basically the ones of interest to us here in Flagler are the VHF models – and they come in either Single Channel or Dual Channel. The 2 channel models can be had for about $185 on ebay in great condition. Note that they WILL tune to Amateur Frequencies, but the A-to-B channel spread has a maximum spread of 8mhz. Given our local Flagler County pager is on 154.130, that means that the LOWEST we can have Channel-B is at 146.130. Those of you in FECA and want to program either 145.47 or 145.41 are OUT OF LUCK, but if you’re an ARES member, you can easily program the 147.300 repeater and set Tone=123.0 to hear ARES traffic. Alternately, you can program the FPCARC repeater frequency of 147.075 as well, since it is above the 146.130 minimum limit.

The Minitor IV, like all Motorola pagers, comes in a black plastic casing and has two knobs on the top. Since it is a VOICE PAGER, one of the knobs is for speaker volume  (the RIGHT knob, as the pager is facing away from you), and the 2nd knob is for Mode-Selection (programmable) selection.

For those of you who have, or are thinking of acquiring a Mintor-IV, the following frequency list might be helpful. It comes to us courtesy of Robbie Creal (KG4HUF), a former Fire Chief here in Flagler Beach. Thanks, Robbie for the valuable info..!! Also, if you do acquire a unit, feel free to contact either Mike (WB6RTH) or Robbie (KG4HUF) and we’ll help you get the unit programmed properly.

Service Freq ToneA Tone-B
Severe Weather 154.130 1321.0 2466.0
Fire Flight 154.130 1251.4 992.0
Duty Officer 154.130 992.0 1082.0
EMA 154.130 1433.0 1082.0
Flagler Fire Dept 154.130 643.0 1082.0
Div of Forestry 154.130 1251.4 1082.0