NE-FL D-STAR System

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

Archive for category D-RATS Data

Flagler ARES and FPCARC – Mini Field Day (with a twist)

Apr 30

Posted by mikelee in ARES Events, ARES Training, D-RATS Data, D-Star Users, HF Antennas and Operation | 1 Comment

=======  RECAP from Bill – WS1C – Flagler ARES/EC  =============

First thanks to all that came out – 14 members is excellent!
Everyone did a great job, we got 3 HF and 3 VHF stations on the air.
Second I believe we all had fun and I learned a lot and this was a great FD practice!

 

We need to improve our skills on traffic and digital modes, but the good news is we have program ideas for the next year.

We already have half a dozen working with D-Star  D-Rats, and a couple starting RMS Express.

Attached are a couple of ICS 213 tutorials – one from Bud N0IA in Volusia and one fromICS.com.

 

We need better VHF antennas under the bridge – it was quite dead.

Another thing we learned is we need to program our radios with our neighbors frequencies.

I have attached a .csv file that should import into most radio programming software with what we programmed into the Florida Hospital radio.  You can view it and edit and print with most any spreadsheet.  It has every frequency I could find of for maybe 40 or 50 miles.

 

I will share the after-action report to be sent to the SEC when we collate data from Flagler, Volusia, St. Johns and Clay.

 

Already looking at a new district wide drill after FD.  It will be large as our new district is Florida Division of Emergency Management D-3.  Nassau, Baker, Duval, Union, Bradford, Clay, St. Johns, Gilchrest, Alachua, Putnam, Flagler, Levy and Marion counties.  13 counties, I have visited 3 other ARES organizations, only 9 to go!

 

Last but not least we are conducting a membership drive, 3 new so far, but I need your help to grow and strengthen our organization.

==================   ORIGINAL Mini-Field Day ANNOUNCEMENT ===========
Subject: April 28 th exercise

Hello all,

We need as many as are able to come out for this event.

Objective: To pass formal traffic between Flagler, St. Johns and Volusia counties in ICS-213 format.  Proving we can communicate with or without internet and repeaters.  Each EC to make some test messages for other sites.

Modes:.  FM, D-Star, D-rats, RMS Express

Bands:  HF- VHF

Where:  Volusia- Debary EOC,

Where:  Flagler – Portable at Betty Stefflick park under the 100 bridge,

When:  Saturday April 28th from 1000 to 1400 local.  Flagler Setup 0900.

I have attached a basic ICS-205 Comm Plan, copied from Doug Carter’s Op. Communicate Freedom last year.
Please add what I may have missed.

Please fill out ICS-211 for each county, ICS-309 Comm. Log, ICS-217A comm.. plan and ICS-214 unit log for your group – I will prepare an after action report from these on the event for Ron, WB4GUH the SEC .

This exercise is a learning experience.   Mike KJ4FEQ has agreed to help Flagler with RMS express.  Hugo did a great job teaching 5 Flagler members how to do.  As soon as I stop acting like an EC I plan to try out.

Flagler will also be inviting some Boy Scouts and our current Technician class.

Thanks All   I am confident we can do another team project well.

73

Bill WS1C

 

 

Reminder – DSTAR Academy on July-30

Jul 22

Posted by mikelee in ARES Training, D-RATS Data, D-Star Radio Programming, D-Star Repeaters, D-Star Users, Dongles and DVAPs, DSTAR Projects, NET Operations | 1 Comment

In Mt. Dora – don’t miss it, as this should be the best Academy to date. We have invited a number of the Emergency Managers in the immediate region to participate in an ID-1 Network demonstration. This will be a first, since we’re planning on networking over 8 ID-1 units together to create a Wide-Area-Network (WAN) using just ID-1′s.

.
Registration at the door is $45.

There are three separate areas of instruction and demonstration planned for this event:

  1. The D-Starter session is for the newer D-Star users and will focus on the basics of programming the radios, Dongles / DVAPS, and D-Rats.
    .
  2. The ID1 demonstration session is for county emergency management, EOC, Red Cross, hospital communications, and other non-governmental officials. There will be an extensive network of ID1 high speed data/voice Radios in place to demonstrate the effectiveness of this equipment during emergency situations.
    .
  3. The SysOp session is for the more advanced D-Star users to meet with other users and have a question and answer session with the presenters as well as ICOM company officials that will be at the event. This group will also have the afternoon to work with the ID1 radios and networks that will be in place.

.
Some of the presenters who will be at the Academy are Ray Novak, N9JA of ICOM, Robin Cutshaw, AA4RC ( who will go over what’s new with Dongles and DVAPS ), John Davis, WB4ZDD and ED Woodrick, WA4YIH from Georgia D-Star ( www.dstarinfo.com ), Bob Jones, N6USP from North Brevard ARC, Paul Eakin, KJ4G, Donna Barker, WQ4M, Mike Lee,WB6RTH ( with his communications van ), and more.

.
There will be several communications vehicles set up in the parking lot that will be part of the ID1 demonstrations you can go through. Ray Novak is bringing his “ refrigerator” with all the ICOM D-Star equipment and we are planning to have portable repeater setups as well as go-kits available for you to examine.

.
A more detailed explanation of the D-Star Academy and what is planned is on line atwww.cfldsg.com . We will accept checks or cash at the door the day of the event but the price at that time will be $ 45.00 and no lunch or refreshments will be provided

Ray Novak, National Amateur Marketing Manager for ICOM America is providing an IC-80 AD and the HM-168 GPS speaker microphone for our GRAND PRIZE.

To register , go to the Academy Registration :

( www.cfldsg.org/Registration.htm )

July 30th – DStar Academy

Jul 14

Posted by mikelee in D-RATS Data, D-Star Radio Programming, D-Star Repeaters, D-Star Users, Dongles and DVAPs, DSTAR Projects | No Comments

planning is been fast and furious – this is intended to be the best DSTAR event yet. If you’re even remotely interested in DSTAR, or what DIGITAL Data via radio can do for Emergency Manages, plan on attending. The flyer is below – click to enlarge.

 

Florida Rag-Chew Net results

Jul 13

Posted by mikelee in D-RATS Data, D-Star Radio Programming, D-Star Repeaters, D-Star Users | No Comments

from Net Control, Eddie Cail (KJ4LRB) – if you would like to assist in being net control, please contact eddie at KJ4LRB@ARRL.NET
======================
The second edition of the Florida D Star Rag Chew Net was held 12-July-11 at 2100 hrs EST on reflector 34C There were 12 check ins. The net lasted 45 minutes. Check ins as follows.
.
NCS:          ALT:
KJ4LRB      KJ4QAL
.
Check Ins:
K4IFX, K3NON, W9CHA, K5BBC, KS4K, N0XIA, N4NKA, KIKWG, KD4UJX, KI4HHK.
.
Announcements:
Paul announced the Mt.Dora D Star academy which will be held July 30th and registration is still open. Kyle announced the formation of Starnets and the procedures to check in. Eddie announced the need for net control stations for the Florida Hurricane net and The Florida D Star Rag Chew net.
.Questions And Discussions:
Questions about connecting directly to reflector verses repeater were asked an answered. Also questions were asked an answered about linking and unlinking to repeaters in regards to the different modules A-C. An informative discussion was also held on what to keep if anything in RPT2.
.
Training:
No training was scheduled for tonight’s net.

Operation Communicate Freedom – June 30

Jun 19

Posted by mikelee in Analog Repeaters, ARES Events, ARES Training, D-RATS Data, D-Star Repeaters, D-Star Users, Flagler ARES Admin, Flagler EOC, Go Kits, HF Antennas and Operation, NET Operations, Volusia ARES Admin | No Comments

Details have been slow to come, but here’s what we know..

  • Exercise prep/Briefing will be on June 29th (Wednesday) starting in the afternoon at Camp Blanding. Please DO NOT proceed to Camp Blanding, since this is a secure facility and only authorized (credentialed) staff will be allowed entry. We will have a contingent of 3 Amateurs onsite, to include the Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC – Ron Mettler). Information from the on-site briefing will be shared later that afternoon on an established channel or channels so that all will have access to the most current data. In addition, those participating will also receive an email with the most current information.
  • The exercise will primarily be on June 30 (Thursday before the July-4 holiday weekend). Exercise time will run from approximately 09:00 to 15:00, with after-action briefing at about 15:00 and de-mobilization starting at about 16:00. We will need staff at the real, or virtual EOC’s for each of the counties. VHF and HF capability will be required (preferred) – frequencies and communications protocol for the exercise will be distributed mid next week (7-days prior to the exercise).
  • There are 13 counties in the North East Florida region that are supposed to be participating in the drill :
    • Alachua
    • Baker
    • Bradford
    • Clay
    • Duval
    • Flagler
    • Gilchrist
    • Levy
    • Marion
    • Nassau
    • Putnam
    • St. Johns
    • Union
  • Amateur Radio will be an integral part of the exercise
  • The exercise will consist of two major parts :
    • A large scale disaster with numerous casualties in Duval County, and
    • A train derailment somewhere in the 13 county region – probably involving HazMat, NBC (nuclear, biological or chemical) or other considerations
  • We will be asked to pass traffic to as many of the 13 counties as possible, by whatever means possible
  • We will be asked to specifically use VHF and HF, in addition to other means
  • Digital and Analog modes can be used (like WinLink, D-STAR/DRATS, etc)
  • There will likely be traffic that needs to be passed to FL State EOC as well.

No other details are available (yet), but Doug and I will be working on the communications plan and the ICS forms package in the next few days.

Central Florida D-Star Academy

Jun 17

Posted by mikelee in D-RATS Data, D-Star Radio Programming, D-Star Repeaters, D-Star Users, Dongles and DVAPs, DSTAR Projects, Work Party | No Comments

 

Central Florida D-Star Academy

The Central Florida D-STAR Group is hosting a D-Star Academy on July 30th in the central part of Florida at Mt Dora.  The academy will give operators – new and experienced – more knowledge on the operation of and new applications used with D-Star.  It WILL be a learning experience!  Click HERE for more information on the academy. We have leased a large convention facility whose main room will be divided into three sections for this event.  Here’s some of what we have planned for you:

We will begin registration at 0730 followed by introductions at 0815.    Ray Novak, N9JA, National Amateur Marketing Manager for Icom America will be there and give us an update on what’s new at Icom (He is also bringing the “refrigerator”*).  We will then take a short break while the room dividers are put in place with the classes starting at 0900.  There are refreshments (coffee, iced tea, water) provided all day.  There is also a buffet lunch between 1200 and 1330.  For a detailed class schedule, click HERE. 

There will be lots of things for you to look at during the breaks and at lunch.  There will be representatives from vendors on hand, like AES from Orlando and RT System software.  They will not have any wares to sell at the event, but they will answer your questions and help you in deciding on equipment.  And, there will be equipment set up in the parking lot, some of which will be used during the classroom demonstrations.
Class 1: D-Starters
The “D-Starter Session” will instruct operators on the basics of the Icom radios, programming with computer software, programming without software from the keypad, D-rats, reflectors, and dongles.  

  • John, WB4QDX, and Ed, WA4YIH, from the Georgia D-Star Group have an excellent presentation for beginners and the slightly more experienced users that will take you step by step through the D-Star maze.  If you are just starting out, or if you have had a D-Star radio for a while and just can’t figure out the manual, this class is for you.  If you are just thinking about buying one, this class will answer any questions you have.  Check out their website at http://www.dstarinfo.com/ .
  • Bob, N6USP and his group from North Brevard County will take you step-by-step through D-Rats.  We have planned two hours for D-Rats that will include hands-on training to transfer text and forms.  This is not only a useful program, it is an important tool in the toolbox during emergency events.  (Get a head start on D-Rats! Go to the North Brevard Countywebsite – Click HERE.)  Paul Eakin, KJ4G, North Florida Section Manager, will also show you how to use the “Ratflector” in Tallahassee.
  • Robin Cutshaw, AA4RC, will be there and will show you how to use his Dongles, DV AP’s, and more.
  • Many “Elmers” will be there to help with some hands-on training.
 

Class 2:  SysOp
When we first decided to have a D-Star academy, we were only targeting new and somewhat knowledgeable operators to help them gain more insight and experience using the Icom equipment.  After we started accepting reservations, we quickly learned that many of the more advanced users of the system were interested in a class like the Repeater System Administrators part of the Georgia InfoCon held in Atlanta last April.
Ed, W5TWR, has taken on the responsibility for this class.  We are still in the process of inviting some very D-Star experienced operators to this academy to assist in the classroom.  Ed wants this experience to not only be in the classroom, but the QSO possibilities to advance everyone’s capabilities.
Some of the areas to be covered include:
  • Repeater basics

  • Repeater setup and programming
  • Gateway setup Trust Server registration
  • User registration
  • Repeater operation and maintenance
  • Repeater administration
  • Gateway utilities and add-ons
  • Hotspots
  • 1.2 GHz high speed data
Keep checking the All About The Academy page on this website for up-to-date information on presenters and other activities and exhibits planned.
 

Class 3:  ID-1 Demonstrations
This is called the ID-1 Demonstrations class, but it is so much more than that.  Paul Eakin, KJ4G, is inviting the emergency managers, DEC’s, EC’s, hospital administrators, NGO’s like the Red Cross, and more to attend.  The first part of this class is in the morning and will demonstrate what D-Star can do during emergencies.  There will be live connections to various agencies, the EOC in Tallahassee, and mobile units to see outside in the parking areas that will also be part of the demonstrations.
With the assistance of Donna, WQ4M, Bob, N6USP, Robin, AA4RC, Ray, N9JA, and others, the attendees for this class are going to see a wide range of services that amateur radio operators can provide using D-Star; in the EOC, shelters, or in the field.  They will also be showing how D-Star worked during the recent tornado disasters in Alabama and Georgia.
In the afternoon, the attendees will be part of the D-Starters Class and will get a look at how the types of radios most D-Star operators have work in shelters and in the field.
The support of these elected, appointed, and administrative people will go a long way to get the funding for and installation of D-Star systems in many areas.  This, as you know, is another very important tool in the toolbox during emergencies.  If you know people who work in these areas, contact them and encourage them to attend.
* The refrigerator is a very large black double-doored cabinet on wheels.  It is as big as a refrigerator, but when opened it is full of “candy” – ICOM candy. For more information, go to http://www.cfldsg.org/Academy.htm

 

Northern Florida Section Expands Tool Box

Feb 22

Posted by N4FPS in D-RATS Data | 3 Comments

Northern Florida Section Manager, Paul Eakin, KJ4G has announced a new tool available for EmComm use in Florida. Amateur Radio Operators in Tallahassee with support from the FL-EOC have installed a D-RATS reflector for ARES use in emergencies and for general amateur use at other times.  In the next few weeks, email will be established to coincide with W2K for both the mobile operators and the internet users.  File transfers can be used now.

 More information on the new Reflector and how to configure it in your D-RATS program is available on the newly launched ARRL Northern Florida Section Website in the D-STAR section at http://www.arrl-nfl.org/DStarInfo/DStar.htm

Tbe most recent version of D-RATS can be found at http://d-rats.com/download/beta/
Download d-rats-0.3.3b5-installer.exe

 Image shows proper configuration for the new Reflector in D-RATS

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.