D-STAR for Emcomm: �D-STAR Basics

Training Agenda

• D-Star Introduction
• What is D-Star?
• D-Star Benefits
• How does it work?
• Equipment used
• Band Coverage
• Georgia D-Star Example
• What can you do with D-Star?
• D-Star Resources

D-STAR Introduction

A communication system concept established by the JARL

• The Japanese Government asked the JARL to develop

digital amateur radio technology.

• Mobile Data at high baud rates
• Simultaneous digital voice and data
• User radios have both Analog and Digital Voice modes.
• D-Star was announced at the Tokyo Hamfair in 2001
• ICOM and Kenwood both endorse project at JAIA 2001
• D-Star protocol owned by the JARL

What is D-Star?

• D-STAR – Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio
• D-STAR is an open, worldwide protocol for digital communications over Amateur Radio.
• D-STAR uses the AMBE vocoder chip under license from DVSI.
• Icom is initial Amateur Radio manufacturer of mobiles, handhelds, repeaters and controllers.

D-Star Network

D-Star Benefits

• Spectral Efficiency with 6.25kHz bandwidth with channel spacing being regionally suggested at 10, 12.5 and 15kHz.
• Voice/Data Simultaneous – Serial Data with1kbps; Keyboard to Keyboard Text and GPS
• 128kbps Data through Ethernet: Private Networks, E-Mail Server, and Internet portal

How does D-Star work?

• D-STAR is digital modulation.
• Voice is converted from analog to digital for transmission.
• VHF/UHF digital stream is 2400 bits for voice, 1200 bits for error correction on voice only and 1200 bits for data.
• Low speed data is combined with digitized voice for transmission at 4800 bps.
• High speed data transmission (128 kb) on 1.2 GHz.
• Callsign is included and initiated with each transmission.
• Calls are routed by destination.

What can D-Star do?

• DPRS automatic position reporting simultaneous with voice
• Repeater linking with Gateway and Internet connection
• Connect to other station regardless of location
• Users can connect to D-STAR systems via PC with DV Dongle (similar to EchoLink)
• Exploit the low speed capabilities to send text data and pictures using user community written applications.
• Exploit the high speed capabilities with web applications and to send files and video using user community written applications

Low Speed Data

• All D-STAR Radios have built-in RS-232c serial port
• Easy connection from PC to radio
• Keyboard to Keyboard connections
• Text broadcast
• D-RATS multi-purpose messaging, file transfer
• Simultaneous data with voice

High Speed Data

• 128 kb data on 1.2 GHz with ID-1 radio
• Internet connectivity through repeater Gateway
• Browsing, file/photo transfer, video, messaging, email
• Amateur radio applications, EchoLink (VoIP), WinLink (email messaging)

DV Dongle

• Provides Internet access to D-STAR repeaters without radio
• Small module connects to PC via USB
• Java-based software application
• Uses PC sound card for mic/speaker audio
• Developed by AA4RC, Robin Cutshaw
• In use worldwide

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D-Star Bands

• 2m
• DV Mode
• 70cm
• DV Mode
• 23cm
• DV Mode
• DD Mode

What is required for a repeater?

Repeater Call Sign

• First, you need is a unique / club call for the repeater.

* You can not have the same call sign in 2 different “roles” in the D-STAR network. (eg, the repeater call sign can not also be your individual call sign.) You will need a unique / club call sign for your repeater system that is not used anywhere else in the network.

What is required for a repeater?

• Controller ID-RP2C
• RF Repeaters Modes
• 2m ID-RP2000V DV
• 70cm ID-RP4000V DV
• 23cm ID-RP2V DV
• 23cm ID-RP2D DD

What is required for a repeater?

• Additional hardware
• Each physical install is different. What your install requires may vary.
• Examples of additional equipment:
• Duplexers
• Power Supply
• Antennas
• Window Filter
• Internet Connection

DV Mode

• Data Rates
• 4800bps
• 2400bps Voice
• 1200bps FEC
• 1200bps Serial Data
• Routing
• Callsign
• System

• Callsigns
• MyCall Origination
• RPT 1
• RPT 2
• UrCall Destination

To Route or Not to Route

• Two Routing Methods
• Site Routing
• Where you want to talk
• Specific System/Gateway and Port
• User Routing
• Who you want to talk
• Specific User

Repeater Ports

• 23cm A
• 70cm B
• 2m C

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• Gateway G

The port designator always follows the repeater call sign in the eight character position

Routing expanded

• Callsigns
• MyCall WD5ERD
• RPT 1 KE7WTB B
• RPT 2 KE7WTB G
• UrCall CQCQCQ

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Routing expanded

• Callsigns
• MyCall WD5ERD
• RPT 1 KE7WTB B
• RPT 2 KE7WTB G
• UrCall WB2CEJ

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Routing expanded

• Callsigns
• MyCall WD5ERD
• RPT 1 KE7WTB B
• RPT 2 KE7WTB G
• UrCall /K5TIT B

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Reflectors and Linking

Gateway systems running Dplus software written by Robin Cutshaw AA4RC have extended features when the URCALL is set as follows.

• echotest: use "XXNYYY E" where XXNYYY is repeater call
• link/unlink: use "XXNYYYML" to link current module to gateway XXNYYY module M.
• Replace the L with a U to unlink.

Reflectors and Linking

• link/unlink: Use "REFNNNML" to link reflector NNN module M. Replace the L with a U to unlink.
• Current reflectors are:

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REF001: US / Chicago / high bandwidth

REF002: US / Nebraska / high bandwidth

REF003: AU / limited bandwidth to US

REF004: US /

REF005: UK / London / high bandwidth

REF006: UK / used for DE / high bandwidth

REF007: IT /

REF008: IT /

REF009: US / Arizona

REF010: US / New England

REF011: IT /

REF012: US / San Diego / high bandwidth

REF013: UK / regional nets / high bandwidth

REF014: US / Las Vegas

REF015: UK / London / multimedia

REF016: CA / British Columbia / high band

D-Star for EmComm

• Instant communications to high risk areas
• Local, statewide, regional, national communications
• Communications with EOCs, agencies in surrounding states
• Versatile linking/networking
• SMS/text communications
• Internet connectivity 
• Send photos and files from field by radio over high speed data

WD4STR Repeater - Lawrenceville

D-Star in EMA Use

Gwinnett ARES Simulated Emergency Test

October 4, 2008

• Exercise simulated flooding due to heavy rains
• ARES teams dispatched to flood prone areas to gather field reports
• Utilized all D-STAR modes (voice, low/high speed data)
• Field reports relayed by voice and low speed data
• Site photos transmitted to EOC by D-STAR high speed data

A Regional Approach

• Severe weather approaches Georgia from west (Alabama), south (Florida Panhandle) and southeast (Atlantic coast)

• D-STAR repeaters in operation in Panama City, Tallahassee, across Florida

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• South Carolina planning statewide D-STAR repeater network using Public Television towers

ARES D-Star Network

• Statewide D-STAR network coverage under construction using GPB television towers
• Antennas, transmission lines, building space, protected power and network connectivity provided by GPB
• Antennas at >500’ AGL provides statewide coverage
• Initial repeater operational at WGTV on Stone Mountain
• Second GPB site now operational at Pembroke GPB site for Savannah, coastal area coverage
• ARES and radio clubs to sponsor repeaters for day-to-day operation and maintenance
• Seeking funding, grants for remaining equipment in network

D-Star for GEM

• D-STAR network will provide statewide radio coverage
• Low/high speed data for text, file, photo transmission (even airborne)
• Flexible repeater linking allows any combination of areas for field and EOC communications, multiple networks
• Interstate communications between agencies
• D-STAR on equipment list for Regional coordinating hospitals
• Open standard digital platform allows for new applications/capabilities for the future

D-Star EMA Projects

• South Carolina planning statewide D-STAR network using Public Television towers
• 33 Alabama county EMA offices planning to purchase and install D-STAR radios
• North Texas received Homeland Security grant for D-STAR repeaters and radios for initial 6 of a 13 county area. Supplemental grant has been applied for to finish the remaining counties.
• National emergency network proposed using PBS towers nationwide

D-Star Facts

• *Over 7100 D-STAR users. An average of 21 new users every day.

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• *Over 200 D-STAR networked repeater systems operational in US, 465 worldwide. This includes the 85 systems in Japan. An average of 2 new registered Gateways every day.

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* As of 2/2009 – system numbers represent networked systems via the internet.

D-Star News

• D-STAR linking used during recent hurricanes to link EOCs in Texas, Louisiana with NHC in Florida
• Gwinnett ARES provided linked D-STAR access to Louisiana stations for evacuees at Lawrenceville Red Cross shelter

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DRATS

• Instant-message chat
• Automatic beacon messages
• File transfers with error detection
• Automatic sizing of photos sent
• Structured, printable forms
• GPS position reports with mapping
• Directly read Winlink mail
• More features constantly being added!

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DRATS Messages

• Message window very mail-like

DRATS Forms

• Includes form editor �to create any form
• Only data is sent
• Fully printable �ICS-213, ARRL �Radiogram and �NTS Forms included

DRATS Photo Transmission

• Photos can be adjusted �for size/quality
• Sizing window �automatically appears�when sending photos

DRATS File Transfers

• Transfer source to destination window

Local D-Star Information

• Mt Pilchuck live without Gateway
• 440.325 DV and 1.2GHz DD modes
• Federal Way is live with gateway
• Full stack in Bellevue - waiting for Internet
• Bellingham is live
• Tulalip system is live without Gateway
• Green Mountain (Kitsap) live no Gateway
• Tukwila Fire has live system

Local D-STAR Future

• All systems plan to add gateways
• Proposed system for Buck Mountain
• Working on local Reflector to tie systems into one HUGE system
• Radios now in EOC and DEM10
• More installation required
• Add ID-1 and ID-800 to Internet from home
• Allows Internet and DRATS access

D-Star Resources

• Who’s on D-STAR – www.dstarusers.org

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• D-STAR info and calculator – www.dstarinfo.com

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• General D-STAR Yahoo Group –

www.mail-archive.com/dstar_digital@yahoogroups.com

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• Icom Support Forums –

www.icomamerica.com/en/support/forums

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• DV Dongle Info – www.dvdongle.com