NE-FL D-STAR System

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

Archive for category D-Star Radio Programming

KF4EMV DSTAR Repeater on 444.975 +

Feb 25

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

Installed this afternoon in the south part of Flagler. Has very good coverage in Bunnell up as far north as the R-section of Palm Coast and very good coverage in Bunnell. No gateway connection yet – we’re waiting for the installation of an ethernet connection at the site, as well as the required ports to be opened by our hosts. In the meantime, you’re welcome to use it as a local talk-around machine.

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Phil did most of the work on this install earlier this week, with the final touches being completed this afternoon. For those of you living on the south side, this will probably become your primary machine when it is connected to REF034C (or other reflector, as you might choose).

Palm Coast KA4RES Switching Frequency TOMORROW

Feb 24

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

sometime on Saturday 25-Feb-2012, we will be switching frequency of the KA4RES repeater to it’s proper frequency of 145.320 with a MINUS offset. All call-signs and routing will remain the same.

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We have already prepared the back-up duplexer, so the effort only requires a swapping of the duplexer, along with reprogramming of the VHF module at the repeater site. We expect that this should be complete in less than 1 hour and will make an announcement before the effort starts (on the old frequency), as well as after it is complete (on the new frequency).

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KA4RES Frequency Change on Sunday (UPDATED)

Feb 18

Posted by mikelee in D-Star Radio Programming, D-Star Repeaters, D-Star Users | 3 Comments

UPDATED on 19-Feb-2011 : this change will be made on Saturday 25-Feb-2011, due to the service outage of the Blog over the weekend – so as to allow more time for our users to get their radios programmed for the frequency change. A future blog-post will be schedule prior to the actual frequency change.

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new frequency will be 145.320 MINUS offset (-600Khz)

all call-signs remain the same

This change will take place on SUNDAY, 19-Feb-2011 in order to move to our coordinate frequency.

All users in Palm Coast should already have their radios programmed for the new frequency.

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We already have the new duplexer tuned, so all that is needed is to re-program the RP-2000V module for the new frequency, then swap the duplexer. The old duplexer (on 147.320) will become a spare, in case it is needed in the future.

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If you have any problems with connecting on the new frequency, please contact any of the DSTAR gurus, such as Phil (K5BBC), Dave (KA4TXY), Tim (WA3QCV) or any of your D-Star friends (or me, as a last resort only because I’m always traveling).

 

KA4RES (Palm Coast) changing Frequency

Jan 17

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

some time in February, the KA4RES D-Star repeater in Palm Coast, FL will be changing frequency to 145.320 -600khz, while maintaining the same call-sign (for RPT1 and RPT-2). Over the last two years, we have been operating on a frequency for which we were not officially coordinated, since the current 147.320 frequency was used before we got official coordination.

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Steve (KD4DNQ) and Rick (KC2HFL) will be retuning a replacement duplexer, after which we will swap the frequencies (the RF module is changed using a PC). The system should only be off the air for about 45 minutes as we bolt-on the new duplexer to the rack and reconnect the cables.

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We’ll give a 7-day notice before the swap, but you can already program your radios for the new frequency and store the entry into a new memory.

JAX Beach – now on VHF

Dec 3

Posted by mikelee in D-Star Radio Programming, D-Star Repeaters, D-Star Users | 1 Comment

UPDATE from 4-Dec-2011 – from Scott (K2LSF)

As of 1300 Sunday12/4/11 the Jax Beach repeater is operational as VHF :

Frequency: 145.360
Call Sign: KJ4RYG
Your Call: CQCQCQ
RPT1: KJ4RYG C
RPT2: KJ4RYG G (if you want to utilize gateway services)

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This morning, a group of the JAX DSTAR repeater support group, led by Scott (K2LSF), along with Phil (K5BBC) and Rick (KC2HFL) from Palm Coast successfully deployed the 2M RF stack from Big JAX to the JAX Beach location (it’s lower and a bit further to the east, compared to Big JAX).

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All indications are that the system is doing well – coverage SHOULD be excellent, but that has not been confirmed yet (signal reports are welcome). There is one item which needs to be resolved tomorrow, which is the connection between the RF deck to the controller – a simple change which Scott will make in plugging the 2m RF deck into the proper RJ45 port to match port “C”.

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The work today took less than 90 minutes – which was the time we allocated for the work. I was not able to go (planned absence), but I knew that the guys would be able to handle the job famously without me – and I was right. Having the trained and qualified crew to maintain the system is a huge blessing – thanks guys..!!

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Contact Scott (K2LSF) if you have questions on the system in JAX Beach.

Florida D-Star Rag Chew Net – Tuesdays at 21:00

Nov 6

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

from our buddy Eddie :
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Please remember to join us for The Florida D-STAR Rag Chew net on REF 034C every Tuesday evening at 2100 hrs local time. We will have a rotation of net control stations as well as guests from time to time in an informal setting to keep us current on D-STAR happenings and to answer questions for any people having operational difficulties.
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As we have numerous hams now on Facebook I have created a group on Facebook. Please feel free to join the group and we will keep you up to date. Here is the link.https://www.facebook.com/groups/240486009340972/
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I am looking for a steady rotation of net control stations to keep this going. If you are interested in volunteering please email me at kj4lrb@hotmail.com and we will work out a schedule. Looking forward to seeing everyone there. 73’s to all !!!
Eddie/KJ4LRB - Net Manager Florida D-STAR Rag Chew Net

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.

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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.
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  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.
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  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.

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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.

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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.

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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
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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.
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NCS:          ALT:
KJ4LRB      KJ4QAL
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Check Ins:
K4IFX, K3NON, W9CHA, K5BBC, KS4K, N0XIA, N4NKA, KIKWG, KD4UJX, KI4HHK.
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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.
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Training:
No training was scheduled for tonight’s net.

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