I have to agree that it would be interesting to experiment with the
D-Star modem, but it doesn't seem practical for HF. In addition to
gobbling up a fair amount of spectrum, I suspect that it would be
difficult to maintain the required SNR with a modem that's 6KHz wide.
The narrow-band FDMDV modem worked out well by not only improving
sensitivity over WinDRM, but by allowing one to "squeeze" the signal
between the adjacent QRM. The modems quick recover time was a real plus
as well - not sure how long it takes for the D-Star modem to re-sync.
Tony -K2MO
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: *J. Moen* <
Date: Tue, Sep 7, 2010 at 12:42 AM
Subject: [KenwoodTS-2000] D-Star with the TS-2000
To: kenwoodts-2...@yahoogroups.com <mailto:kenwoodts-2...@yahoogroups.com>
I've gotten interested in D-Star, and have been running what's called
a D-Star Hotspot at my home. This is a small piece of hardware that
functions as a gmsk modem and connects to an analog radio's 9600bps
Data port. The board is connected to a PC running software that allows
the radio to be linked to various worldwide D-Star repeaters and
reflectors. I did this since my location does not provide reliable
access to a D-Star repeater. I just use a D-Star HT to communicate
with my Hotspot, which forwards my voice on to the connected repeater,
etc.
While my Hotspot is using a spare KW TM-D700A for everyday duty, I've
wired up a cable to use it with my TS-2000. For this, I'm interested
in adapting the 2000 to be a D-Star-capable radio. There are various
ways to do this, and one more way that's soon to be released. Those
are listed below.
I'm interested so I can do D-Star on 6 and 10 meters. ICOM will soon
be releasing their new IC-9100 radio, and with the optional D-Star
card, it will do D-Star on 6 and 10 meters as well as VHF/UHF and
optional 1.2ghz. Except for the very high price, this DC to Daylight
radio could be considered a competitor to the TS-2000.
Anyway, I want to be able to make simplex D-Star contacts on 6 and 10
meters, but I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. My Hotspot cost
about US $140 (built, the kits are cheaper). To function as a
standalone D-Star radio, right now I also need a DV Dongle to handle
the conversion of audio to and from the AMBE compressed format. The DV
Dongle costs $200. So for $340 I have a D-Star capable HF, VHF and UHF
radio. And I'm hoping future developments will bring the price down.
If anyone else is able to get on 10 meters with D-Star and would like
to try to plan a sked, please contact me directly. I am revamping my
antennas, but my current end-fed sloper might do the job now,
otherwise my vertical should be up and running in a few weeks.
Here are the current ways to adapt an analog radio, including HF, that
has a 9600 Data port, to D-Star:
1. FunkAmateur DV-Adapter 2.0 fully hardware solution. Built: $600.
Kit with ICOM UT-118 about $500.
2. Mini HotSpot or node adapter board with DVAR Hot Spot software
connected to DV Dongle's DVTools software. US $340. This is what I'm
doing right now.
3. Under development: new node adapter-type board from Fred van Kempen
PA4YBR, fully hardware solution. Price and release date unknown. This
is cheaper than option 1 and simpler than option 2. I may switch to
this approach when available.
4. D-Star Client soundcard software by Jonathan G4KLX. Finding the
correct soundcard or dongle is critical, and the interface (unlike
traditional data mode interfaces for PSK31, etc.) must contain no
filters. But the price is right: Free if you build your own interface
between soundcard and radio. Jonathan may support a gmsk or node
adapter interface some time in the future, but for now it is soundcard
based.
One further note -- For a while, I did some digital voice on 20 meters
using the FDMDV program that used the MELP codec. This used a fairly
narrow bandwidth, about the same as SSB. But it turned out MELP was
encumbered with license restrictions that none of us initially knew
about. When we found out, that version died immediately. What I
learned was digital voice can be done long range with a skip signal as
long as conditions are nearly perfect, with little multipath, phase
changes or QSB. But, those conditions are not uncommon if you are
patient, so I'm hoping to have some long range D_Star QSOs on 10
meters. The bandwidth is theoretically 6.25 hHz, but in practice it is
wider than that, hence in my opinion, it would not be advisable in FCC
jurisdictions on 160 through 15m. I think on 10 and 6m it could be
fun. But I will not use it during a lively contest. Just too wide at
that time.
Jim - K6JM
