John, I'm not sure why you indicate that the DVDongle is an *extremely* expensive alternative to connect to D-STAR. The DVDongle is $200USD and should be half the price of the IC-E92D. The DVDongle does require a terrestrial (low latency) Internet connection, I'm not sure if that is your issue or not. >From your question it also seems as if you are referring to the low speed data >portion of D-STAR, not the voice portion.
I'll be honest to you, if you are just wanting data access to Ham Radio, I believe that EchoLink might be a better alternative. D-STAR works best as a combination of voice and data services, with the voice being the primary communications mechanism at this time. As to your specific question, I don't know of a way that you can access it without a DVDongle at this point. Aside from what sounds like a simple technical implementation, there's significant legal ramifications. While D-STAR has a database of users, there really isn't any authentication mechanism. Anyone can talk on a radio. The DVDongle has taken this a step further and implemented an authentication mechanism to assure that only licensed Amateur Radio operators can initiate transmissions. This is very important for situations like you are asking for where you will initiate a transmission over the Internet. By the way, there is another option for you. Put up a D-STAR repeater on Frei Island!!! Ed WA4YIH From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of lla2qaa Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 1:58 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [DSTAR_DIGITAL] Information request. Hello Group, LA2QAA here, EU Amsat founder, 40+ years in radio ... but one of the 'original' computer illiterates. I recently purchased an IC-E92D despite my being on Frei Island, 500 miles from the nearest D-Star repeater. The DV Dongle in this part of the world is an *extreemly* expensive alternative to connect to REF015C. Therefore ... I was wondering if there is anyone who has/could set up a connection using the D-Rats repeater software to their local D-Star repeater and the internet, allowing people like me, without a dongle to join the D-Star fraternity using just the IC-E92D's slow data and a laptop. I'm aware that such a system could promote unwanted 'QRM' and have nothing against being 'vetted' prior to eventual accept. I have a professional military background in radio communications and am therefore very well versed in both net disciple and emergeny communications proceedures. If anyone can be of assistance in helping me to gain experience of the D-Star system (without a dongle or local repeater) I'd appreciate it if they would contact me off list at <[email protected]<mailto:la2qaa%40amsat.org>> When the internet fails ... and your cell mast blows down, you could still use a store-and-forward cubesat in low earth orbit. 73 John. <[email protected]<mailto:la2qaa%40amsat.org>> AMSAT: Amateur Satellite Corporation. Homepage: <http:www.Observations.biz>
