Will,
You will find this tool helpful: http://www.dstarinfo.com/Calculator/DSTAR%20Web%20Calculator.aspx
-- under "Function" select "Link to Reflector"
There are some folks who are using the DVDONGLE in combination with an
FM radio to get on D-STAR and I guess you could build such a beast (as
long as you handled the ID requirements - every radio must ID on its
transmission frequency). Play with native D-STAR for awhile and you
may find your opinion changing. :)
Oh, and you can make your own D-STAR radio -- AE4JY built and
demonstrated a 2-meter radio over 3 years ago. Yes you have to use
the AMBE chip ($20+) as a part in it, just like transistors,
integrated circuits, filters, etc. -- other hams are working similar
projects (see: http://dutch-star.eu/products/ds-1/) -- you probably
won't convince anyone stuck in spark gap land, but their argument(s)
are invalid.
-- John
On Jul 14, 2010, at 7:55 AM, Will wrote:
John,
Thanks for the detailed response. I read it twice to make sure I did
not miss anything. Too bad the DVAP does not have the AMBE
technology. I would think a DVAP + DV-Dongle type product would be
real usefull. Something that would allow a ham to use a VHF/UHF
radio they already have as a simple "FM wireless Link" to a DV-
Dongle. That would allow the Hams on limited budgets to get into
digital and still use a radio. I would think it would need to decode
CTCSS or PL Tones and tune to a number of Simpley frequencies. When
I have mentioned that I was going to try D-STAR many of the Hams I
know were very negative about it.... "It's not ham radio if you
can't make it yourself" and so on.... but I then asked them when was
the last time they built a full featured dual band radio that fits
in their hand? Then they through the cost thing at me, which I agree
in this economy is a little pricy, but so is any new piece of radio
gear.
You mentioned the Reflectors, ie: REF014C, I still have some reading
and learning to do here. I understand the principles of linking to
other repeters and networking (in my day job I work with high speed
serial optical/copper networking and protocol conversion) but I
don't know how to do it and what is acceptable to do on the
repeaters. Guess I need to spend more time listening to the repeters
to see what goes on.
Anyway, thanks for your email - it helped me learn more about D-STAR.
Will - N7IPY
John D. Hays
Amateur Radio Station K7VE
PO Box 1223
Edmonds, WA 98020-1223 VOIP/SIP: [email protected]
