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D–STAR System Overview

D–STAR System Overview. Carbon Amateur Radio Club Bob Wiseman WB3W EPA Section Emergency Coordinator Assisted by Charlie, N3WXO and Brian, W3SG. Digital Radio Is Here Cell Phones Commercial Radio DTV and HDTV And now…. D-STAR Amateur Radio Digital mode for the 21st Century.

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D–STAR System Overview

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  1. D–STARSystem Overview Carbon Amateur Radio Club Bob Wiseman WB3WEPA Section Emergency CoordinatorAssisted by Charlie, N3WXO and Brian, W3SG

  2. Digital Radio Is Here Cell Phones Commercial Radio DTV and HDTV And now….D-STAR Amateur Radio Digital mode for the 21st Century ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  3. So what is D-STAR? D-STAR is a Digital Voice and Data protocol specification that has been developed exclusively for Amateur Radio Digital SmartTechnologyforAmateurRadio While there are some other digital on-air technologies being used by Amateurs that have come from other services (e.g. P-25) D-STAR is one of the first standards to be widely deployed by Amateur stations worldwide, and given the “OK” by the FCC. ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  4. D-STAR Modes DV – Digital Voice – Combined Voice-and-data mode on VHF and UHF DD – Digital Data – High Speed Data Stream Only on 23 cm (1.2 GHZ) Digitization is performed by a device called a codec (coding-decoding) using the AMBE 2020 AMBE also adds information to the voice data stream so that the receiving codec can correct errors introduced during the transmission (FEC) ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

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  6. Hi Speed Digital Data The high speed Digital Data (DD) mode defines additional protocol specifications for network connectivity, enabling D-STAR radios to connect direct to the Internet or other networks The radios currently available operate on 23Cm (1.2 GHz) since FCC regulations specify that these type of digital data can only be utilized above 900 MHz The ID-1 radio allows users connected through the Internet or other network to share and transfer files using standard “drag and drop” methods ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  7. D-STARPacket Structure Callsign Element Packet Details ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  8. Some D-STAR background • JARL • Design and Research began in 1999 by the Japanese Amateur Radio League (JARL) -- NOT manufacturers -- and is open source protocol available to be implemented by anyone. • Goal • Advancement of the hobby • Spectrum Efficiency • Experiment with Simultaneous Voice and Data • D-STAR Gateway owned by Icom • No other manufacturers have entered into the field yet • New Router Gateway • New software being developed to run on a router and not a full scale PC, and can replace Icom Gateway. ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  9. D-STAR is now the fastest growing new technology in Amateur Radio today ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  10. Dstarusers.org is a web site that listens to the Repeater ports on systems that have the Gateway software installed. In early January 2008, the gateway reported 500 unique call signs heard over gateways in 24 hours. That was a first!Today there are almost 1000. This does not include D-STAR simplex, or repeaters that are not on the gateway. How many users? ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  11. PUT screen shot here of dstarusers.org – like a dx cluster…. ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  12. System Growth New D-STAR users are finding ways to use the protocol to their advantage and in the U.S., to fill some Emergency Communications Gaps. D-STAR users are creating new interfaces everyday. New repeaters and users are coming on line each week. (World Wide) ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  13. Last Six Months Growth Repeaters and new Amateur User Gateway registration has increased by 400% in the last six months In May 2008 there were 67 Gateway repeaters – today there are 276 In May 2008 there were approximately 700 registered Gateway users – today there are +2700 There is currently an average of 35 new Amateurs registering on the Gateways each day There are additional repeaters and users not yet setup with a Gateway. ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  14. D-STAR Capabilities • Digital voice and concurrent data stream • GPS position reporting • Message delivery • Call Sign addressable squelch mode. • Digital addressable squelch mode. • Break in communications • Emergency Break in Communications ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  15. Emergency Communications Radios automatically transmit call sign along with the voice communications GPS location transmitted along with voice communications Digital Data (DD) can be sent in high-volume while traditional modes are slow Can dispatch assets accurately and place data in the hands of those who need it the most – fast image, text and document data exchanges ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  16. D-STAR is: • An IP routable digital communications protocol • A robust, open-source system that enables concurrent voice and data streams • D-STAR is NOT: • Another linking system Echolink, IRLP, or Wires • Exclusive to Icom • Dependent upon Internet connections ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  17. Why is D-STAR interesting? • Spectral Efficiency • 6.25 kHz emission • 10 kHz channel spacing (reasonable) • More efficient use of available bandwidth • Allows more channels in crowded spectrum • Better performance compared to analog FM • Same power in less bandwidth (SSB vs. AM) ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

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  19. Why is D-STAR interesting? As long as the signal strength is above a minimum threshold, and no multi-path is occurring, the quality of the data received is better than an analog signal at the same strength Click above to play video ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  20. Why is D-STAR interesting? Icom D-STAR Digital Voice and Digital Data rates. 144 and 440 MHz simultaneous voice and data rate – 4800 bps Digital voice @ 3600 bps (including error correction) Digital data @ 1200 bps 1.2 GHz Data rate – 128 kbps High speed data @ 128 kbps (Ethernet connection) -- OR -- Digital voice @ 3600 bps (including error correction) Digital data @ 1200 bps ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  21. Why is D-STAR interesting? The system is capable of linking repeaters together locally and through the Internet utilizing callsigns for routing of traffic Servers can be linked using Icom Gateway software or an add-on utility named dplus (written by Robin Cutshaw –AA4RC) ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  22. Gateway Configuration Diagram You don’t need to hook up a local repeater to the worldwide Gateway, but not doing so limits capabilities to local use only ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  23. Gateway Software The current Gateway Software (version 2.0) was written by Icom for their particular brand of controller, and is proprietary In runs on any Linux PC but the recommended operating system is CentOS 5.1 with a 2.4 GHz Pentium machine However, new software is being written to run inside a router (no PC) by Robin Cutshaw – AA4RC Robin has already written a lot of add-on Gateway software, like the dplus and dmonitor utilities that allow linking, voice ID’s, etc. He also wrote the software for the DVdongle.. ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  24. Gateway Security • Local users can access the local Digital Voice repeaters just like the regular Analog repeaters • However, Gateway usage requires each station to register with the Gateway at their “home” repeater • Each user is set aside eight 10.X.X.X internal IP addresses for routing ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

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  26. Gateway Security Each individual application is reviewed separately by the Gateway Administrator to validate the user Users need only register on one gateway, but it is a two step on-line process The local Gateway Administrator can restrict and/or deny any RF user or Dongle user. ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  27. D-STAR Packets are not encrypted All D-STAR transmissions not over an Internet link are public and can be monitored by anyone, just as on analog repeaters. There are no “private conversations” on the D-STAR network All digital information is carried by the D-STAR packet as plain text. 802.11 AND P-25 Contain encryption capabilities not allowed on Amateur Radio, and could cause a problem. D-STAR on the other hand has been given the OK by the FCC and has been made especially for Ham Radio operators with added features such as automatically broadcasting your call sign ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  28. Software Solutions DPRS Position reporting for APRS gateways Dchat Chat and beacons D-Rats Chat and file, transfers D-TERM German chat, file transfer, beacon, and BMP files DT-Access Chat, file, transfers, interoperable with Dchat, D-Rats and D-TERM D-STAR Add-Ons • Hardware Solutions • uSmart Digi • Portable TNC that gates position packets from D-Star networks to APRS networks. • DV Dongle • USB Dongle that contains AMBE chip for decoding gateway traffic onto a PC or Mac machine. . ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

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  30. uSmartDigi D-Gate D-STAR Gateway • Standalone APRS digipeater • Reformats D-STAR GPS data into APRS packet format to provide a gateway to APRS. • Module goes inside the TNC-X • See http://www.usmartdigi.com Developed By: Rich Painter, AB0VO ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  31. D-STAR Query • Allows remote users to interact with a pre-configured program on a remote computer over D-STAR DV low speed data link. • Using a preformatted query string on the low speed data link, append any received parameters, execute the program, and send the generated data back to the requestor. • Authored by Pete Loveall, AE5PL ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  32. D*Chat • Runs on Windows • Enables text based communications between multiple stations simultaneously. • Runs on repeater, through the gateway, or on simplex frequency. • Customizable • Can send periodic QST message. • Filters GPS data from the message stream. • Has 7 quick send text message slots Authored By Brian Rhodes, NJ6N ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  33. DTaccess • Runs on Windows • Enables text based communications between multiple stations simultaneously. • Runs on repeater, through the gateway, or on simplex frequency. • Three rotating Beacon messages • Shows GPS data in the message stream. • Ability to send text files between stations(Data file transfer under development) • Authored By Bob Wiseman, WB3W ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  34. What Equipment is Available? • Lots of interest beginning around the US and Canada • VHF, UHF radios currently available • Mobiles (IC-2200, IC2820, ID-1 and ID-800) • Handhelds (IC91AD,IC92AD and IC-V82/U82) • Repeater components available • ID-RP2000V for 2m voice and low-speed data • ID-RP4000V for 70cm voice and low-speed data • ID-RP2V for 23 cm voice and low-speed data • ID-RP2D for 23 cm high-speed data • ID-RP2C Controller (Required) ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  35. Icom IC-2200 144MHz D-STAR capable* amateur radio Digital Voice, 1k Digital Data and Analog Voice operation. 65 watts TX power. *Requires optional UT-118 module for D-STAR operation ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  36. Icom IC-V82 / U82 144 or 440MHz D-STAR capable* amateur radios (mono band) Digital Voice, 1k Digital Data and Analog Voice operation. 7 / 5 watts TX power. 200 Alphanumeric Channels *Requires optional UT-118 module for D-STAR operation ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  37. Icom ID-800 144 / 440MHz D-STAR dual band amateur radio Digital Voice, 1k Digital Data and Analog Voice operation. 55 / 50 watt TX power. Detachable control head, 1 band at a time. Same chassis as the IC-208. ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  38. Icom IC-2820 144MHz/70CM Dual Band D-STAR capable* amateur radio Digital Voice, 1k Digital Data and Analog Voice operation. 50 watts TX power on Both VHF and UHF bands *Requires optional UT-118 module for D-STAR operation ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  39. Icom IC-91AD & IC-92AD 144 / 440MHz D-STAR amateur radio (dual band) Digital Voice, 1k Digital Data and Analog Voice operation. 5 watts TX power. True dual band / display operation. IC-92AD has an optional speaker/mic with built in GPS ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  40. Icom ID-1 1.2GHz D-STAR amateur radio Digital Voice, Digital Data and Analog Voice operation. 10 watt TX power. PC control via USB or direct control via RC24 control head. USB Cable, software and RC24 control head all provided. ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  41. Understanding how it works D-STAR utilizes call signs to “route” the radio call. Every repeater must be assigned a unique call sign (club call recommended). Every operator programs their radio with their own call sign. Call sign is transmitted digitally with each transmission. No need to voice ID with D-STAR since digital ID is part of each TX. ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  42. Understanding how it works Each radio has 4 call sign fields that can be programmed, and how you use these fields determines how the local repeater controller will route you signal. MyCall Your primary call sign-- done at initial setup UrCall Default is CQCQCQ – (or can be call sign of a specific station) Rpt1 The local repeater module (frequency) Rpt2 A local module for crossband or the Gateway module for system wide access ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  43. Understanding how it works (Simplex) All you need to program for local simplex operation is the MyCall field, and this is done at initial setup. Nothing is required in any other field. In this example, all parties in digital (DV) mode hear all the traffic on the simplex channel. MyCall - WB3W UrCall – CQCQCQ MyCall - N3WXO UrCall – CQCQCQ MyCall - W3SG UrCall – CQCQCQ ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  44. The Repeater Module Naming Convention…. • The 1.2GHz module is always named “A” W3OI = 1293.00 (-) • The 70cm module is always named “B” W3OI = 445.025 (-) • The 2m module is always named “C” W3OI = 147.165 (-) W3OI Repeater ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  45. Actual Repeater stack layout at W3OI Allentown, PA ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  46. Understanding how it works (Local Repeater) In order to use a band/module on the local repeater you need its callsign and module letter in the RPT1 field. This is similar to PL tones in analog. In this example all parties on the local repeater two meter (“C”) channel frequency will hear all the local radio traffic on that frequency. Repeater – W3OI Allentown, PA MyCall – WB3WUrCall – CQCQCQ Rpt1 – W3OI C MyCall – N3WXO UrCall – CQCQCQ Rpt1 – W3OI C 147.165 MHz 147.165 MHz ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  47. When the RPT1 and RPT2 fields contain different module names of the local repeater, then local users can crossband between the two modules In this example WB3W is on “C” (2m) and N3WXO is on “B” (70cm) Repeater – W3OI Allentown, PA MyCall – WB3WUrCall – CQCQCQ Rpt1 – W3OI CRpt2 – W3OI B MyCall – N3WXO UrCall – CQCQCQ Rpt1 – W3OI B Rpt2 –W3OI C 147.165 MHz 445.025 MHz ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  48. Understanding how it works (Gateway) Using “/” in front of the repeater call sign in the “UrCall” field is basically a CQ to that remote repeater allowing a conversation with anyone on that repeater Gateway / Internet Repeater – W3OI Allentown, PA Repeater – VK3RWN Melbourne, AU MyCall – N3WZO UrCall – /VK3RWN Rpt1 – W3OI C Rpt2 – W3OI G MyCall – VK3BNJ UrCall – CQCQCQ Rpt1 – VK3RWN B Rpt2 – VK3RWN G 147.165 MHz 438.300 MHz ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  49. Understanding how it works (Gateway) Using another Amateur station’s specific call sign in the “UrCall” field actually locates that station on the last repeater (and band/module) their signal was last heard from Gateway / Internet Repeater – W3OI Allentown, PA Repeater – K5TITDallas, TX MyCall – WB3W UrCall – N3WXO Rpt1 – W3OI A Rpt2 – W3OI G MyCall – N3WXO UrCall – CQCQCQ Rpt1 – K5TIT B Rpt2 – K5TIT G 1270.00 MHz 442.000 MHz ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

  50. More Information • Local setup instructions http://www.epaares.org/dstar/ • Recently Heard report http://www.dstarusers.org • Icom Forums –http://www.icomamerica.com/support/forums/ • ARRLhttp://www.arrl-al.org/D-STAR%20Basic_RS.pdf • Homebrew Digital transceiver http://www.moetronix.com/dstar/ • D-Star Specificationshttp://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/techchar/D-star.pdf ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania

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