> >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
It could be done. The DV Dongle is not merely a device to access the D-STAR (DPlus) network over the Internet. It is the vocoder that processes the audio. The part that does the DPlus connectivity is actually the DVTool software that uses the Dongle. The Dongle can be made to do other things. For example, there is a "Dstar Client" program, which uses the Dongle, a soundcard and a 9600bps capable radio to implement a full blown D-STAR radio. Good if you've already got a suitable radio kicking around (as many of us have). Usine a "wireless microphone" approach is again a matter of the right software. However, the caveats about prevailing attitudes to analog <--> D-STAR connectivity apply. >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. There are actually a number of D-STAR related projects you can build. The GMSK node adapter, for one, which of course is the heart of a hotspot. Homebrew repeaters are feasible. I think the naysayers are simply looking for an excuse to prop up their negative opinion of D-STAR. There's quite a bit you can put your hand to, both hardware and software, if you look around, so it's definitely fertile ground for those who like to keep their hands dirty and their soldering iron hot! :) As for cost, many hams are cheap. Yes, the radios cost a bit more, but it is a new system, and new systems always cost more (Did anyone price the first plasma TVs 10 or more years ago? - hmm, needed a second mortgage, or even the first digital set top box, which was around $700, first DVD player, etc). My point being that for a newly introduced technology into a relatively small market, the price of the Icom radios is quite reasonable. And I bought in at a time when my own finances weren't particularly good. >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. Enjoy your D-STAR adventure! 73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.com
