Transcript Slide 1

Digital Voice
Digital Data
DV + DD
D–STAR
System Overview
Carbon Amateur Radio Club
Bob Wiseman WB3W
EPA Section Emergency Coordinator
Assisted by Charlie, N3WXO and Brian, W3SG
Digital Voice
Digital Data
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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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So what is D-STAR?
D-STAR is a Digital Voice and Data protocol specification
that has been developed exclusively for Amateur Radio
Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio
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.
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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)
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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
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D-STAR
Packet
Structure
Callsign
Element
Packet
Details
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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.
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D-STAR is now the fastest growing
new technology in Amateur
Radio today
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How many users?
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.
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screen shot here of dstarusers.org –
like a dx cluster….
 PUT
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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)
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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.
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D-STAR Capabilities

Digital voice and concurrent data stream

GPS position reporting
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Message delivery

Call Sign addressable squelch mode.

Digital addressable squelch mode.

Break in communications

Emergency Break in Communications
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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
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Digital Voice
D-STAR is:
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D-STAR is NOT:
• An IP routable digital
communications
protocol
• Another linking
system Echolink, IRLP,
or Wires
• A robust, open-source
system that enables
concurrent voice and
data streams
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Digital Data
• Exclusive to Icom
• Dependent upon
Internet connections
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Why is D-STAR interesting?

Spectral Efficiency
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•
•
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

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Same power in less bandwidth (SSB vs. AM)
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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..
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Gateway Security
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
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
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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 online process
The local Gateway Administrator can restrict and/or
deny any RF user or Dongle user.
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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
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Digital Data
D-STAR Add-Ons

Software Solutions

DPRS
• Position reporting for APRS
gateways


Hardware Solutions

uSmart Digi
• Portable TNC that gates
position packets from DStar networks to APRS
networks.
Dchat
• Chat and beacons

D-Rats
• Chat and file, transfers


DV Dongle
D-TERM
• German chat, file transfer, beacon,
and BMP files

DT-Access
• USB Dongle that contains
AMBE chip for decoding
gateway traffic onto a PC or
Mac machine.
• Chat, file, transfers, interoperable
with Dchat, D-Rats and D-TERM
.
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uSmartDigi D-Gate DSTAR 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
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D-STAR Query
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
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
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D*Chat

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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
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DTaccess
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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
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Digital Voice
 What

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Digital Data
DV + DD
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
•
•
•
•
•
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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)
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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MyCall - W3SG
UrCall – CQCQCQ
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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
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Actual Repeater
stack layout at
W3OI
Allentown, PA
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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 – WB3W
147.165 MHz
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MyCall – N3WXO
UrCall – CQCQCQ
147.165 MHz
Rpt1 – W3OI C
UrCall – CQCQCQ
Rpt1 – W3OI C
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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 – WB3W
147.165 MHz
MyCall – N3WXO
UrCall – CQCQCQ
Rpt1 – W3OI B
Rpt2 – W3OI C
UrCall – CQCQCQ
Rpt1 – W3OI C
Rpt2 – W3OI B
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Digital Data
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
MyCall – N3WZO
UrCall – /VK3RWN
Rpt1 – W3OI C 147.165 MHz
Rpt2 – W3OI G
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Repeater – VK3RWN
Melbourne, AU
438.300 MHz
ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania
MyCall – VK3BNJ
UrCall – CQCQCQ
Rpt1 – VK3RWN B
Rpt2 – VK3RWN G
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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
MyCall – WB3W
UrCall – N3WXO
Rpt1 – W3OI A
Rpt2 – W3OI G
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1270.00 MHz
Repeater – K5TIT
Dallas, TX
442.000 MHz
ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania
MyCall – N3WXO
UrCall – CQCQCQ
Rpt1 – K5TIT B
Rpt2 – K5TIT G
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Digital Data
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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 Specifications
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/techchar/D-star.pdf
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D-STAR Demonstration


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Voice Demonstration with screen display
Data demonstration using D-Comm.

Simple chat

Simple txt file transfer

Voice communications concurrent with data transfer.
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