Ed,
Briefly, a dongle may cost $200 for you but after import duty and handling
charges
it comes to just under the price of an IC-E92D here ... (which is my I chose
the rig option).
To be completely honest, I wasn't aware at the time that you needed a local
repeater, I thought it could be done via the internet - (which it can,
providing somebody digipeats with a D-rats repeater) but as you say, (and I
already acknowledged, there are 'issues').
'Digital' - I have DXCC's for CW and RTTY so 'digital' isn't the issue. I'm
planning a modernised store-and-forward LEO satellite system for A.R.E.S.
Repeater on Frei ... had I had that kind of money, I wouldn't have asked my
original question.
Have a good day.
73 John.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:45:04 +0000
Subject: RE: [DSTAR_DIGITAL] Information request.
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]>
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]>
AMSAT: Amateur Satellite Corporation.
Homepage: <http:www.Observations.biz>
