Digital Voice and Data ICOM D-Star The Cutting Edge? October 15, 2007

11 The PAPA System

2 Contents Introduction to PAPA About D-Star –Key Benefits Stand alone system operation Gateway (“Linked”) system operation RF configuration of repeaters Additional Benefits Resources Conclusion

33 What Is D-Star ICOM’s implementation of JARL open standard for UHF/VHF digital voice and data communications Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) with forward error correction Consists of radios, repeaters, and (optional) gateway hardware and software 2 Meter, 440 MHz and 1.2 GHz

44 Key Benefits Digital quality voice communication simplex or via repeater Very easy setup of repeater/controller Coverage on 440 equal to or better than analog Alphanumeric call sign ID, call sign squelch (can be bypassed for emergency traffic), and code squelch Wireless internet access via router (part 97 presumably applies to content) Nationwide routed call sign calling via Gateway Data Transmission –Low-Speed Data on UHF and VHF –ISDN rate data transmission simplex or via repeater (1.2 GHz only, half duplex)

55 Call Sign Squelch (DSQL) Configuration option on your radio If enabled, squelch opens only when your call sign is received Call sign squelch is bypassed if calling station operates in EMR mode

66 Code Squelch (CSQL) Configuration option on your radio Squelch opens only when a preset code is received Programmable codes: 0-99 Code squelch is bypassed if calling station operates in EMR mode

77 D-STAR Repeater System Note 1 Note 1: Analog RF Components (Filters, Cavities, Circulators, PreAmps, etc Stand Alone 4 Box System Shown* * D-STAR System can be Controller Plus any 2M, 440, 1.2 GHz DV or 1.2 GHz DD Modules Module“A” Module “B” Module “C”

88 Repeater System Use - Radio Setup (Stand Alone Sys) Repeater Module ID “A”, “B”, “C” must be in the 8 th Character position ^ = SPACE Use of Any One Band Box (Same Band) by itself To make a call from the 440 MHz “B” Repeater module thru the 445MHz "B" repeater module. ̶ Frequency: (-) (Note: Repeater is not expected to recognize N6SIX) ̶ MYCALL: W6SIX ̶ URCALL: CQCQCQ (General Inquiry to Everyone) or (Specific Station Call Sign e.g. W1AWX) ̶ RPT1: N6SIX^^B ̶ RPT2: NOT USE Cross Banding in Addition to Same Band (N6SIX System) To make a call from the 440 MHz “B” Repeater module thru the MHz “A" repeater module. ̶ Frequency: (-) ̶ MYCALL: W6SIX (Note: Repeater is not expected to recognize N6SIX) ̶ URCALL: CQCQCQ (General Inquiry to Everyone) or (Specific Station Call Sign e.g. W1AWX) ̶ RPT1: N6SIX^^B ̶ RPT2: N6SIX^^A

99 GPS Operation

10 Low-Speed Data 10 Data, PC Programming Cables ̶ IC-91AD & IC-2820 Same Cable used for Both Radios ̶ ID-800H PC Programming – OPC-478 or OPC-478U Data – OPC-1529R Any Terminal Program should work ̶ ID-91AD Software includes Terminal Prog ̶ D-CHAT by NJ6N (Quite “User-Friendly”) IC-2820 IC-91AD ID-800H IC-2820

11 Internet Connectivity 10.x.x x.x x.x.102 HubID-1 RP2 Internet Router Graphic courtesy of Texas Interconnect Team

12 Linked Repeater Operation

13 Gateway Operation

14 D-STAR Repeater System Note 1: Analog RF Components (Filters, Cavities, Circulators, PreAmps, etc Note 1 Module“A” Module “C” Module “B” 4 Box System with GATEWAY Shown* * D-STAR System can be Controller, GateWay PC Plus any 2M, 440, 1.2 GHz DV or 1.2 GHz DD Modules

15 Repeater System Use - Radio Setup (Gateway System) Repeater Module ID “A”, “B”, “C” must be in the 8 th Character position ^ = SPACE Cross Banding in Addition to Same Band (N6SIX System) To make a call from the 440 MHz “B” Repeater module thru the MHz “A" repeater module. ̶ Frequency: (-) ̶ MYCALL: W6SIX (Note: Repeater is not expected to recognize N6SIX) ̶ URCALL: /VK8SDFB (General Inquiry to Everyone on VK8SDF “B” Repeater Module; “/” is same as CQ) ̶ RPT1: N6SIX^^B ̶ RPT2: N6SIX^^G Same as Stand Alone except …..

16 RF Configuration (D-10)

17 RF Configuration (D-1)

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20 Additional Benefits Extensive support via forums and user groups Radios work in both digital and analog modes and dual banders are available 53 repeaters now on Gateway network Probably between repeaters on the air Lower bandwidth requirements (6.25 KHz vs. 10 KHz) Digital messaging in Digital Voice mode (i.e., works on 2 M, 440 or 1.2 GHz) Location services (e.g., D-PRS/APRS) IP compatible, open JARL standard

21 Resources Icom D-Star Homehttp:// illinoisdigitalham (Yahoo Group, digital radio in general, including D-Star) Digital Radio Audio Comparisonshttp:// D-Star Forums (ICOM hosted) DSTAR Radioshttp:// Icomamerica manuals downloads (ICOM hosted) (this presentation, in the “about D-Star” section)

22 Radios Now Available ID GHz Mobile (10 Watts, High Speed Digital Data, Digital Voice, Analog Voice) -- $979 ID-800H 2M/440 Mobile (55 Watt VHF/50 Watt UHF Digital Voice and Data, Analog Voice -- $610 IC-2200H 2M Mobile (65 Watt VHF Digital Voice and Data -- $350 with optional digital module IC-V82/U82 2M/440 HT (Digital Voice and Data) -- $390 with optional digital module IC-91AD 2M/440 HT (Digital Voice and Data, Analog Voice) -- $628 with digital module IC-2820 Dual Band Mobile (Analog and Digital) -- approx. $950 with optional DV module Home brew 2-meter demonstrated at Dayton this year

23 Requirements Filters required for repeater in dense RF environments Internet access required for Gateway –Static IP required, DSL bandwidth Gateway software runs only on Linux (Fedora Core 4 is recommended) Repeaters must have unique call signs Gateway operation requires certification –Take and Pass (Complete) ICOM Administrator Course Familiarity with basic Linux terminal commands is very helpful for Gateway configuration

24 Challenges Getting coordinated pairs on 440 (may be able to allocate an existing pair) ICOM controller lacks many features –Linkcom will develop D-Star capable controller ICOM proprietary components –Codec (has been replicated) –Gateway (opendstar.org to develop open source version) 10 GHz link system is not available in US

25 The Cutting Edge? Not the only digital game in town, but it works out of the box Excellent performance on 440 ISDN rate internet access via ID-1 Transparent call routing throughout the D- Star Network Significant experimentation and innovation is occurring (e.g., home brew radios, openstar.org)