NE-FL D-STAR System

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

Archive for June 16th, 2010

The View from Flagler County

Jun 16

Posted by mikelee in Flagler EOC | No Comments

Our friend and fellow Flagler ARES member Rick Palm (K1CE) has mentioned our newly re-constituted ARES group every month since December. Pretty high compliment, when you know that the ARRL ARES E-Letter has a distribution in the tens-of-thousands. I guess it would be even better if we craved the attention, but we don’t. We’re just a bunch of guys who want to do the right thing – treat people right, be respectful and courteous, do our very best and make a positive difference in our community. It’s really not hard – mostly common sense – but regardless, “Thanks Rick, for the kind words”..!!

Here’s a screen print of this morning’s article – if you don’t subscribe, please do so at the ARRL Member profile screens on the ARRL website..

St. Johns D-Star Gateway – NOT YET DONE :(

Jun 16

Posted by mikelee in D-Star Repeaters | No Comments

We were able to install the gateway computer and the router last night at the St. Johns EOC where KJ4RYF is located. But, I’m sad to report that the system is NOT operational yet – the master router (owned by the County EOC) was not configured correctly, so that will need to be corrected (hopefully, today).

Once the corrections are performed, the gateway system should automatically start. We’ll monitor the system remotely (via computer) to help verify that the router changes are correct, then insure that the autostart of the dPlus Linking software is successful.

Stay tuned for more updates..

D-RATS

Jun 16

Posted by N4FPS in D-RATS Data | No Comments

D-RATS
http://d-rats.danplanet.com

The Next Best Digital Data Software for EmComm

What’s with the name?
(hint: spell it backwards)

 
     D-RATS is a software program coupled with a computer (of course) and your D-STAR radio that allows you to send slow speed data and to exchange files either simplex, through a repeater or a reflector.  This is no lightweight software that offers a multitude of features. Some of the high points are the fact that it is simple to use, it has built in forms including ICS 213, ARRL Message Forms and several others, or you can create your own specialized forms.  D-RATS can also be configured as a stand alone file server and an email client.  One of my favorite features is the mapping feature.  You can ping any station and bring up a map of their location.  It also possesses fully functional DPRS real-time tracking and mapping capability. The real beauty is its simplicity and user friendliness.  There are no commands to learn like with Packet Radio, it’s just click and type.  No TNC and only a single data connection from radio to computer and you’re D-RATS session is up and running.

What is it?

A multi-platform integrated tool for communication using D-STAR radios.  With only a pair of radios (or an entire repeater stack) a variety of data transmission methods are supported, including:

*Instant-messaging style chat
*Multiple automatic messages at varying schedules, containing static or dynamic content
*File Transfers of arbitrary binary or text content with compression
*Online/offline status notifications
*Multi-platform: runs on Linux/UNIX, Windows, and MacOSX
*Canned messages
*Chat logging
*Tabbed chat interface to filter traffic based on a search string
*Structured data (i.e. Forms) transmission with multiple form templates, graphical editor, and HTML exporting
*Form-to-Email gateway support for providing email access to distant stations
*Winlink2000 gateway
*Automatic message forwarding
*Arbitrary TCP forwarding over the RF channel
*Support for using a TNC or a network connection instead of a D-STAR radio
*GPS position tracking, distance/direction calculation, static beacon support, and integrated map viewer with offline caching
*Network-linkable repeater/proxy co-application

What else can it do?

*Callsign matching and tracking for “last seen” reporting
*Error-free file transfers with a single sender and multiple receivers
*Multi-tab filtering and logging of traffic
*Integrated offline station mapping support with freely-available map data
*Network linking capability for bridging RF segments with a conventional network
*Runs natively on Linux, Windows, and MacOSX
*Freely-available, Open-source and GPL’d

     D-RATS has a built in Internet reflector as well.  You can practice your D-RATS skills with others over the internet using the same functions as if you were connected by radio.  This is a great feature for training purposes.  I highly recommend that you download D-Rats and acquire the appropriate data cable for your radio from ICOM or build it yourself and give D-RATS a spin.