Hi,
Check out my videos showing the prototype ID-RP2C interface in operation. VK5REX C is now in full operation using the equipment you see in the videos.
There are a few requirements that need to be met for successful GMSK D-Star "compatible" operation on non-D-Star RF hardware.
The radios need be be pure FM, not PM (Phase Modulation). You need flat discriminator output audio and flat TX audio with no high/low pass filtering in place.
If you have a radio/repeater that is designed to work with data, you should be OK.
The other thing that is a requirement is a fast TX key up time. Although you are using a DV Node Adapter as the GMSK modem, the internal PIC chip isn't handling the TX/RX data. You are driving the GMSK chip directly from the ID-RP2C (via the interface) and as such you have no ability to add a transmit delay to the data. If the TX radio doesn't key up fast enough, the D-Star header might not be received properly by listening stations... and that's not good.
DV Node Adapters can be purchased from several different sources.
I'm seriously thinking about writing up a proper document that outlines how the ID-RP2C/DV Node Adapter interface operates and how you connect it to a DV Node Adapter... but for now I've been sending out info manually to those that are interested. The interface is fairly straightforward to implement but as you can imagine, there are many different variations of DV Node Adapters and RF hardware that can cause problems. For those wanting to copy what I (and now others) have done, I suggest getting the DV Node Adapter working with your RF hardware first. Use the DVAR Hot Spot software or the DV Node Adapter diagnostic software to sort out any bugs with audio levels first.
If you want more info, please don't hesitate to email me.
Michael.
VK5ZEA
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--- In D-STAR_23cm@..., ernest bailey <ernest.bailey@...> wrote:
Intresting we the south yorkshire repeater group are also looking in to using kendecom MR4 t/ RX units any information on the interface would be of help Ernie G4LUE look at our web site www.southyorkshirerepeatergroup.co.uk
To: D-STAR_23cm@...; Repeater@...; Repeater-Builder@...; Repeaters@...
CC: d-star@...; IllinoisD-STAR@...; WisconsinD-STAR@...; kc9lkz@...
From: wb9qzb_groups@...
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2010 07:49:29 -0700
Subject: [D-STAR_23cm] Fwd: Kenwood Analog Repeater Interfaced to Icom D-STAR Controller
Interesting thread below about Interfacing Kenwood Analog Repeater to Icom D-STAR Controller for Use with D-STAR.
Great example of continued innovation of D-STAR technologies by incorporating non-Icom products into D-STAR environment.
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "dstar_digital@..." <dstar_digital@...>
To: dstar_digital@...
Sent: Thu, October 7, 2010 8:46:14 AM
Subject: [DSTAR_DIGITAL] Digest Number 1161
There are 3 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1a. K8BIG Port B Using Kenwood TKR-850 Interfaced to ID-RP2C
From: danielwoodie
1b. Re: K8BIG Port B Using Kenwood TKR-850 Interfaced to ID-RP2C
From: John D. Hays
1c. Re: K8BIG Port B Using Kenwood TKR-850 Interfaced to ID-RP2C
From: michaelcarey69
Messages
________________________________________________________________________
1a. K8BIG Port B Using Kenwood TKR-850 Interfaced to ID-RP2C
Posted by: "danielwoodie" kc8zum@... danielwoodie
Date: Wed Oct 6, 2010 10:32 pm ((PDT))
The K8BIG Port B D-Star Repeater in Cincinnati, Ohio is successfully running using a Kenwood TKR-850 Interfaced to the Icom ID-RP2C in place of the Icom Band module (ID-RP4000V). The usable range of the repeater has been effectively doubled from around 25 miles radius to 50-55 Miles radius.
The K8BIG system is on the WCPO-TV Tower overlooking downtown Cincinnati, OH with the antenna at 700' AGL. There are 3 50,000 Watt FM Radio transmitters, 1 250,000 Watt VHF DTV Transmitter, and 2 3,000 Watt LPTV stations on the same tower along with various commercial VHF/UHF/220 transmitters so the RF environment is pretty harsh - add in the neighboring (2 Blocks) tower with a similar complement of transmitters and it is downright brutal for any radio equipment.
The Icom band module was being swamped by the high RF levels at and surrounding the site, causing very poor effective receive sensitivity even after the TX-RX BpBr Cans and an additional band-pass cavity. I had partially remedied this with one side of a reject-only mobile duplexer, but that introduced around 6 dB of insertion loss. Even with the 6 dB insertion loss the effective sensitivity was improved. The Kenwood repeater has a much tighter front end and much better selectivity with adjustable front-end helicals so the additional receive filter is not necessary and the 6 dB insertion loss was removed.
After the interface was built we were able to plug and play into the Icom ID-RP2C controller and gateway. With the exception of the increased range there is no operational difference in the repeater - everything works identically to the Icom band module. Commands work, data works, D-Rats works, etc.
I will be building more of the interfaces shortly which can be used to interface any 9600 baud-capable analog repeater directly to the ID-RP2C. Anyone interested please let me know.
Thanks.
Dan Woodie
KC8ZUM
Messages in this topic (3)
________________________________________________________________________
1b. Re: K8BIG Port B Using Kenwood TKR-850 Interfaced to ID-RP2C
Posted by: "John D. Hays" john@... k7ve
Date: Wed Oct 6, 2010 11:19 pm ((PDT))
Great to hear Dan -- I run the desktop version TKR-820 for NW7DR B
but using a node adapter and NI-STAR by G4ULF. Its also a great little
repeater. You can read about it on my blog at
On 10/6/2010 10:32 PM, danielwoodie wrote:
The K8BIG Port B D-Star Repeater in Cincinnati, Ohio is successfully
running using a Kenwood TKR-850 Interfaced to the Icom ID-RP2C in
place of the Icom Band module (ID-RP4000V). The usable range of the
repeater has been effectively doubled from around 25 miles radius to
50-55 Miles radius.
...
After the interface was built we were able to plug and play into the
Icom ID-RP2C controller and gateway. With the exception of the
increased range there is no operational difference in the repeater -
everything works identically to the Icom band module. Commands work,
data works, D-Rats works, etc.
I will be building more of the interfaces shortly which can be used to
interface any 9600 baud-capable analog repeater directly to the
ID-RP2C. Anyone interested please let me know.
Thanks.
Dan Woodie
KC8ZUM
--
John D. Hays
Amateur Radio Station K7VE <>
PO Box 1223
Edmonds, WA 98020-1223
VOIP/SIP: john@... <sip:john@...>
<mailto:john@...>
Messages in this topic (3)
________________________________________________________________________
1c. Re: K8BIG Port B Using Kenwood TKR-850 Interfaced to ID-RP2C
Posted by: "michaelcarey69" michaelcarey@... michaelcarey69
Date: Thu Oct 7, 2010 3:31 am ((PDT))
Excellent news Dan,
I received your email... just typing a reply up for you.
The ID-RP2C/GMSK interface circuit is perfect for repeater installations just like yours. If the Icom repeater hardware is having a rough time with a nasty RF environment... you can make your own repeater that can handle the RF soup a whole lot better without having to junk the rest of your gear.
It's just what you need to make add 6m or 10m D-Star repeater to an existing ID-RP2C system, ready for the imminent release of the IC-9100!
Michael.
VK5ZEA
--- In dstar_digital@..., "danielwoodie" <kc8zum@> wrote:
The K8BIG Port B D-Star Repeater in Cincinnati, Ohio is successfully running using a Kenwood TKR-850 Interfaced to the Icom ID-RP2C in place of the Icom Band module (ID-RP4000V). The usable range of the repeater has been effectively doubled from around 25 miles radius to 50-55 Miles radius.
The K8BIG system is on the WCPO-TV Tower overlooking downtown Cincinnati, OH with the antenna at 700' AGL. There are 3 50,000 Watt FM Radio transmitters, 1 250,000 Watt VHF DTV Transmitter, and 2 3,000 Watt LPTV stations on the same tower along with various commercial VHF/UHF/220 transmitters so the RF environment is pretty harsh - add in the neighboring (2 Blocks) tower with a similar complement of transmitters and it is downright brutal for any radio equipment.
The Icom band module was being swamped by the high RF levels at and surrounding the site, causing very poor effective receive sensitivity even after the TX-RX BpBr Cans and an additional band-pass cavity. I had partially remedied this with one side of a reject-only mobile duplexer, but that introduced around 6 dB of insertion loss. Even with the 6 dB insertion loss the effective sensitivity was improved. The Kenwood repeater has a much tighter front end and much better selectivity with adjustable front-end helicals so the additional receive filter is not necessary and the 6 dB insertion loss was removed.
After the interface was built we were able to plug and play into the Icom ID-RP2C controller and gateway. With the exception of the increased range there is no operational difference in the repeater - everything works identically to the Icom band module. Commands work, data works, D-Rats works, etc.
I will be building more of the interfaces shortly which can be used to interface any 9600 baud-capable analog repeater directly to the ID-RP2C. Anyone interested please let me know.
Thanks.
Dan Woodie
KC8ZUM
