[d-star] DStar Comms

[Doug Reed]

Just from reading the description, it sounds like the program was 
intended to work with low-speed D-STAR radios over the data port. It 
just doesn't seem that useful to me, at least not if you are trying to 
monitor a DV repeater or listen to some high-traffic event like a 
swap-net. Essentially it is using D-STAR data as if it were a packet 
channel. The only saving grace is that the data passes without hearing 
the BRAAAP of packet. But if you listen closely, you should still be 
hearing the audio path open and close on a quiet carrier as the data 
blocks are sent and received. Or maybe the D-STAR radio is smart enough 
not to open the audio path if the data is present without the voice PTT 
being keyed.... But you can't send data without sending a carrier which 
means you are taking time away from any other use of the channel. You 
wouldn't want to use this on a busy channel during a net. The data would 
forever be trying to flow and either disrupting communications or 
extending a voice message block. i.e. sending a block of data may take 
longer than saying "yes" into the mike. But if you want to leave your DV 
radio sitting on a quiet simplex channel, it could be used as both a 
data and calling channel.....

>From  my viewpoint, the only low-speed DD application I've found useful 
is the GPS/APRS location burst. That should be short enough not to cause 
any problems.... This is one of the main reasons we ordered the Icom 
2820H with D-STAR and GPS. We will automatically have D-STAR GPS 
capability and the GPS will also feed other systems in the comm van..... 
But it could be that in the future we'll be seeing applications for 
D-STAR low-speed DD that just haven't been thought of yet.... Even this 
D-STAR Comms program would be considerably more useful if the ability to 
"scan" a DV channel and jump to a DD channel for data was inherent in 
the software. Although then it would be best if the DV channel was 
pretty quiet rather than running an active net....

73, Doug Reed, N0NAS.

Mark Thompson wrote:
> DStar Comms is an application used with D-Dstar enabled radios through the data port on the radio. There are many features and functions that would support many groups and users requirements. 
>
> Main Features: 
>
> 1) Text Chat (Send and Receive text messages between DStar Comms Users) 
> 2) Beacon Mode (Periodically send Text Based Beacons) 
> 3) Email Gateway (Will allow RF users to relay emails to the internet) 
> 4) Email Composer (Allows user to send an email to a DStar Comms user who has configured the Email Gateway) 
> 5) Address Book for keeping users email address. 
> 6) Heard List (Automatically records heard users callsigns) 
>
> www.m0dqw.co.uk
>
> ----- Forwarded Message ----
> From: Gavin Nesbitt gnesbitt at tiscali.cz
> Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 2:44:46 PM
> Subject: DStar Comms
>
> Hi all,
>
> Sent of behalf of Matt M0DQW
>
> ------------------------------------------------
>
> If you've heard of DStar Comms before then please forgive me.
>
> Just thought I would send an email to the group to let you know about 
> the latest version of DStar Comms.
>
> Here's the current feature list:
>
> 1) Text Chat (Send and Receive text messages between DStar Comms 
> Users)
> 2) Beacon Mode (Periodically send Text Based Beacons) 
> 3) Email Gateway (Will allow RF users to relay emails to the 
> internet via fixed users) 
> 4) Email Composer (Allows user to send an email to a DStar Comms user 
> who has configured the Email Gateway) 
> 5) Address Book for keeping users email address. 
> 6) Heard List (Automatically records heard users callsigns)
> 7) Font style and colour selcation for main window.
>
> If you would like to try the software please visit my website:  
> www.m0dqw.co.uk for the D-Star Comm download and forum.
>
> Thanks and 73's
>
> Matt - M0DQW
> www.m0dqw.co.uk
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Gavin Nesbitt,
> M1BXF.
>
> CRG Technical Coordinator.
> www.cambridgerepeaters.net 
> www.camb-hams.com
>
>
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