Re: D-Rats Technical Support Needed
I too am very interested in the answers to all the questions.? I am the DEC for Santa Fe and San Miguel Counties in New Mexico and we are pushing hard to use D-RATS in activation scenarios.? The answers will help me convince Emergency Managers.
? Many thanks to all those who work hard to make D-RATS such a valuable tool. ? 73 de N4VIP, Don Hinsman
On Mon, Jul 8, 2013 at 3:23 PM, Anthony (N2KI) <n2ki.ham@...> wrote:
?
Orange County ARES/RACES/SKYWARN is attempting to acquire D-Star Repeaters from the county. ?We have a very good working relationship with the Office of Emergency Management. ?In the past two weeks we have been scrutinizing the D-Rats software to get a full understanding of how it works, capabilities and limitations. ?In order for us to pitch the idea of utilizing D-Rats to the OEM in support of an emergency activation, we have some questions and concerns that involve its operation which seems kludge at times. ?If someone can help find these workarounds, which we may have missed, it is greatly appreciated. ?This is a list compiled from three operators putting D-Rats through heavy paces. ?We apologize if these functions are available since we may not have discovered it. ?Thank you for your time.
Version 0.3.3b6
1. ?When you first open the program, you have no idea anything is happening unless you are looking at the event log.
2. ?The program should initiate an automatic ping and list all stations at log on and timely thereafter. ?
3. ?I would expect to see my call listed in the right hand column including showing stations logged on. ?I have no idea if I am still connected as the program does not indicate anything other than "Online" in the bottom right. ?May times it says "online" but only to find out I was not. No rhyme or reason. ?My call sign showed up black on another stations screen.
4. ?I would also expect to see the color of the station reflecting whether they are "Online or Unattended" change instantaneously. There seems to be latency.
5. ?I would expect the stations list on the right to be instantaneously updated whenever a station changes it status. (On line or Unattended). ?.
6 ? I would expect the station call sign to disappear when the station is off line or they shut down their computer. ?This only seems to happen if you clear all then re-ping all. ?
7. ?If a station is off line when you try to send a message, the message stays in the outbox and is not sent. ?The program should state that the message was not sent because recipient is not logged on.
8. ?The program seems to "choke" when left running on a Win7 64 bit machine. ?Running it as administrator and not in the x86 pathway.
9. ?Why does the software tell me there is a message for?
"me" when sending email?
10. ?The ability to open a file in the shared folder from the program is not possible.
10. ?The ability to have sub-folders in the shared folder. As is, all files are lumped together in one file. ?This does not lend itself to ease of finding things.
11. ?Be able to move the map with the cursor and not have to use the scroll bars and have to continually re-center.
12. ?The ability to change the map labels font color and background color. ?Map labels are black on Red which makes it difficult to read. ?
13. ?The default message selection is an HICS-260 Patient Evacuation Form. ?Can we change it to default to the email selection?
14. ?What is the legend for the different colors on call signs in the Stations List?
15. ?The stations list seems quirky. ?I usually leave my software running. ?I always have to clear all then re-ping to ?get an updated list. ?The list should refresh automatically and remove any stations that are off line.
16. ?We notice that last update was over two years ago. ?Is this software still supported and will it continue going forward?
? Regards,
Anthony J. Cioffi (N2KI)
-- 73 de N4VIP (SFARES EC, SANTA FE AND SAN MIGUEL COUNTIES DEC), Don
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D-Rats Technical Support Needed
Orange County ARES/RACES/SKYWARN is attempting to acquire D-Star Repeaters from the county. ?We have a very good working relationship with the Office of Emergency Management. ?In the past two weeks we have been scrutinizing the D-Rats software to get a full understanding of how it works, capabilities and limitations. ?In order for us to pitch the idea of utilizing D-Rats to the OEM in support of an emergency activation, we have some questions and concerns that involve its operation which seems kludge at times. ?If someone can help find these workarounds, which we may have missed, it is greatly appreciated. ?This is a list compiled from three operators putting D-Rats through heavy paces. ?We apologize if these functions are available since we may not have discovered it. ?Thank you for your time.
Version 0.3.3b6
1. ?When you first open the program, you have no idea anything is happening unless you are looking at the event log.
2. ?The program should initiate an automatic ping and list all stations at log on and timely thereafter. ?
3. ?I would expect to see my call listed in the right hand column including showing stations logged on. ?I have no idea if I am still connected as the program does not indicate anything other than "Online" in the bottom right. ?May times it says "online" but only to find out I was not. No rhyme or reason. ?My call sign showed up black on another stations screen.
4. ?I would also expect to see the color of the station reflecting whether they are "Online or Unattended" change instantaneously. There seems to be latency.
5. ?I would expect the stations list on the right to be instantaneously updated whenever a station changes it status. (On line or Unattended). ?.
6 ? I would expect the station call sign to disappear when the station is off line or they shut down their computer. ?This only seems to happen if you clear all then re-ping all. ?
7. ?If a station is off line when you try to send a message, the message stays in the outbox and is not sent. ?The program should state that the message was not sent because recipient is not logged on.
8. ?The program seems to "choke" when left running on a Win7 64 bit machine. ?Running it as administrator and not in the x86 pathway.
9. ?Why does the software tell me there is a message for?
"me" when sending email?
10. ?The ability to open a file in the shared folder from the program is not possible.
10. ?The ability to have sub-folders in the shared folder. As is, all files are lumped together in one file. ?This does not lend itself to ease of finding things.
11. ?Be able to move the map with the cursor and not have to use the scroll bars and have to continually re-center.
12. ?The ability to change the map labels font color and background color. ?Map labels are black on Red which makes it difficult to read. ?
13. ?The default message selection is an HICS-260 Patient Evacuation Form. ?Can we change it to default to the email selection?
14. ?What is the legend for the different colors on call signs in the Stations List?
15. ?The stations list seems quirky. ?I usually leave my software running. ?I always have to clear all then re-ping to ?get an updated list. ?The list should refresh automatically and remove any stations that are off line.
16. ?We notice that last update was over two years ago. ?Is this software still supported and will it continue going forward?
? Regards,
Anthony J. Cioffi (N2KI)
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Contact va7pug Alfred, or ve7nv or myself va7dgp. We are in the Vancouver area. Friday night on the Can Net. If I'm not tied up at Burnaby Radio Tuesday to Saturday.
I'm on a stand by call out for the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster as I maybe heading to Alberta for the floods.?
73
Don va7dgp?
On Friday, June 21, 2013, ve7hj wrote:
?
How does one work radio - radio Instead of Internet using D-Rats.
James
-- Don Poaps New Westminster, BC VA7DGP Satern Member Vector Member Surrey Amateur Radio Metrotown Salvation Army Community Church Member
? ?
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Look for "Using_D-RATS_with_your_D-STAR_radio.pdf" in the files section.
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--- In d-rats_group@..., "ve7hj" <ve7hj@...> wrote:
How does one work radio - radio Instead of Internet using D-Rats.
James
|
Just turn on Radio and D'Rats and you will see d star radio station in chat mode. Fill in preferences and uncheck Internet access. Do a search on Rat Reflector. And load them up. In preference
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On Friday, June 21, 2013, ve7hj wrote:
?
How does one work radio - radio Instead of Internet using D-Rats.
James
-- Don Poaps New Westminster, BC VA7DGP Satern Member Vector Member Surrey Amateur Radio Metrotown Salvation Army Community Church Member
? ?
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How does one work radio - radio Instead of Internet using D-Rats.
James
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Re: D-Rats and TNC ( Slow Transfer Speed)
There's the radio data baud rate, the baud rate of the serial port, many variables and choke points. ? KC2YYF
From: Donald Hinsman
To: d-rats_group@...
Sent:
Friday, June 14, 2013 3:17 PM
Subject: Re: [d-rats_group] D-Rats and TNC ( Slow Transfer Speed)
?
Michael, ? What freq and radio are you using with your TNC?? And the answer is yes, you should be able to achieve the same speed as Packet on VHF. ? N4VIP
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Re: D-Rats and TNC ( Slow Transfer Speed)
Michael, ? What freq and radio are you using with your TNC?? And the answer is yes, you should be able to achieve the same speed as Packet on VHF. ? N4VIP
On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 12:21 PM, k4mkh <k4mkh@...> wrote:
?
A few months ago I connected my D-Rats to my local tnc(timewave pk96) in kiss mode and overall it worked great. Where I saw the slowness was in transfer speeds and retries.
I was working with another local ham and we are only 5 miles away at max.
I had found some document with some TNC value to set in D-Rats. Is there a trick to get the file transfer speed the same as what packet sends normally.
Michael Hendershot - K4MKH
--
73 de N4VIP (SFARES EC, SANTA FE AND SAN MIGUEL COUNTIES DEC), Don
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D-Rats and TNC ( Slow Transfer Speed)
A few months ago I connected my D-Rats to my local tnc(timewave pk96) in kiss mode and overall it worked great. Where I saw the slowness was in transfer speeds and retries.
I was working with another local ham and we are only 5 miles away at max.
I had found some document with some TNC value to set in D-Rats. Is there a trick to get the file transfer speed the same as what packet sends normally.
Michael Hendershot - K4MKH
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Re: Running D-Rats on Raspberry PI and have it autostart on boot
You could also put it in the rc.local file or write a service script to launch as a service at boot time. I'll? post an example? a systemd script that starts d-rats_repeater as a service in fedora 18? when I get home this afternoon. I use it to start d-rats_repeater on my raspberry pi based? ratflector for a "headless" ratflector. Mike, N0SO ratflector: ratf.n0so.net port 9000
From: k4mkh
To: d-rats_group@...
Sent: Wed, May 22, 2013 9:49:22 PM
Subject: [d-rats_group] Re: Running D-Rats on Raspberry PI and have it autostart on boot
?
That is a great tip. I will add that to my notes also.
That tells me I could add that in startup of the pi as cron job then instead of launching under the desktop.
--- In d-rats_group@..., "Ed" wrote:
>
> If your running your RPi headless you don't need to launch the X
> desktop.
> I run a ratflector without having to launch the desktop. The ratflector
> application will run from the console.
> the syntax is d-rats_reflector -C -d
> By not launching the desktop you save both memory and CPU resources.
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Hi,
I've been getting "Mail check failed ((100061, 'Connection Refused')) errors when working through WL2K Gateway.
Here's the setup:
Station #1 - Win7 32 bit on a laptop with Internet connection, connected via serial to an ID-880H. Running 0.3.3, WL2K gateway enabled, set for network/server.winlink.org/8772.
Station #2 - Ubuntu 12.04 LTS 32 bit on a netbook, no Internet connection, connected via serial to an ID-31. Running 0.3.3, WL2K gateway disabled.
All other D-RATS functions, chat, messages, and file transfer work fine between the two machines. I can send Winlink e-mail using the "send via" process, and it works great. When I request a mail check from the station #2 netbook, that's when I get the connection refused error. The only time I've seen a connection refused error on a native Winlink client is when the password is wrong, i.e. something other than CMSTELNET.
Anyone have any insight as to what's going on here? Only part of the southern New Jersey section ARES is on D-STAR, the balance of digital communications go by Winlink, so if I can get this little issue squared away it will go a long way to improving interoperability.
Thanks,
John
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Re: Running D-Rats on Raspberry PI and have it autostart on boot
That is a great tip. I will add that to my notes also.
That tells me I could add that in startup of the pi as cron job then instead of launching under the desktop.
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--- In d-rats_group@..., "Ed" <ka8jmw@...> wrote:
If your running your RPi headless you don't need to launch the X
desktop.
I run a ratflector without having to launch the desktop. The ratflector
application will run from the console.
the syntax is d-rats_reflector -C -d
By not launching the desktop you save both memory and CPU resources.
73, Ed KA8JMW
--- In d-rats_group@..., "k4mkh" wrote:
So you want to run D-Rats on the Raspberry Pi and it have
automatically launch on power up. The GUI needs to launch every time
the Pi starts.
The build we are currently running is Raspbian "wheezy".
This URL will tell you how to install D-Rats on the Pi.
The executable files are stored under /usr/bin and are called:
d-rats > D-Rats communication program
d-rats_mapdownloader > download maps
d-rats_repeater > D-Rats repeater
Once the install is completed...
start LXTERMINAL from raspberry PI desktop
cd /etc/xdg/lxsession/LXDE
sudo leafpad autostart
You need to add the following statement at the end of the file and
save the file.
@d-rats_repeater
All you need to do is to logoff and next time time GUI launches the D-Rats repeater will launch. You will have enable the repeater the 1st
time and set your callsign.
Mike K4MKH
mike.k4mkh 'at' gmail.com
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Re: Dstar to packet and Vice Versa
Dan, ? I have been following your progress and tenacity with D-RATS.? I am trying to bring New Mexico into the 21st Century and D-RATS is a major tool for EMCOMM.? If you can solve the D-RATS to packet, that would be great.? I believe that PACLINK as a server from D-RATS into RMS/CMS VHF is possible but had some TNC difficulties from my TS-2000.? Keep up the great work.
? 73 de N4VIP, Don Hinsman (Santa Fe County ARES EC)
On Wed, May 15, 2013 at 4:45 PM, Dan Ozment <dan@...> wrote:
?
I WILL get my hands on a TNC, then!?? We never made it work with a TNC because of some kind of error, but I didn't have my hands on that end of the connection.?? The friend who was working with me has an extra Kantronics.? I will take him up on his offer to let me borrow it and see how far we can go.?? I have had good success with D-RATS client-to-client using AGWPE.?? AGWPE just seems to fail in the repeater app. ?Maybe we can set up a TNC on the ratflector (which is probably a good idea) and let people use AGWPE/soundcard OR a TNC from the other side. ?
? Thanks for the added hope!? Will keep you posted.
? ? ?
I don't have a TNC to try, but I would think you would have better luck with a TNC, rather than running AGWPE. The AGWPE connection in D-RATS was just an experiment and no real support was given to it. If I ever get my hands on some TNCs, I'll give it a good going over. I think that would a great way to get non D-STAR users interested in D-RATS. Also consider the TS-2000 and D-7XX radios have built-in TNCs. The Alinco DR-135 has a TNC option board that fits inside the radio. I also wonder if using the TNC in transparent mode would give better results. If I had one, I'd try it. Good luck trying to bring D-RATS to the masses. I've been trying for five years and have only made a small dent so far.
From: Dan Ozment <dan@...>
To: d-rats_group@...
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 6:06 PM
Subject: RE: [d-rats_group] Re: Dstar to packet and Vice Versa
? ?
Patrick, have you run a TNC on the repeater app??? I don't have one, so I was using AGWPE.?? A cohort tried setting up a TNC and had trouble.? We stopped since I had trouble with AGWPE.?? Would be interesting to hear that you have made it work.
From: d-rats_group@... [mailto:d-rats_group@...] On Behalf Of n3tsz
Yes. Run the D-RATS repeater application and make a connection for the D-STAR radio and the TNC. It will work like a crossband repeater, letting data pass in both directions.
?
-- 73 de N4VIP (SFARES EC, SANTA FE AND SAN MIGUEL COUNTIES DEC), Don
|
Re: Dstar to packet and Vice Versa
I WILL get my hands on a TNC, then!?? We never made it work with a TNC because of some kind of error, but I didn't have my hands on that end of the connection.?? The friend who was working with me has an extra Kantronics.? I will take him up on his offer to let me borrow it and see how far we can go.?? I have had good success with D-RATS client-to-client using AGWPE.?? AGWPE just seems to fail in the repeater app. ?Maybe we can set up a TNC on the ratflector (which is probably a good idea) and let people use AGWPE/soundcard OR a TNC from the other side. ? ? Thanks for the added hope!? Will keep you posted. ?
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From: d-rats_group@... [mailto:d-rats_group@...] On Behalf Of Patrick Connor
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 6:27 PM
To: d-rats_group@...
Subject: Re: [d-rats_group] Re: Dstar to packet and Vice Versa? ? I don't have a TNC to try, but I would think you would have better luck with a TNC, rather than running AGWPE. The AGWPE connection in D-RATS was just an experiment and no real support was given to it. If I ever get my hands on some TNCs, I'll give it a good going over. I think that would a great way to get non D-STAR users interested in D-RATS. Also consider the TS-2000 and D-7XX radios have built-in TNCs. The Alinco DR-135 has a TNC option board that fits inside the radio. I also wonder if using the TNC in transparent mode would give better results. If I had one, I'd try it. Good luck trying to bring D-RATS to the masses. I've been trying for five years and have only made a small dent so far.
From: Dan Ozment <dan@...>
To: d-rats_group@...
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 6:06 PM
Subject: RE: [d-rats_group] Re: Dstar to packet and Vice Versa ? ? Patrick, have you run a TNC on the repeater app??? I don't have one, so I was using AGWPE.?? A cohort tried setting up a TNC and had trouble.? We stopped since I had trouble with AGWPE.?? Would be interesting to hear that you have made it work. From: d-rats_group@... [mailto:d-rats_group@...] On Behalf Of n3tsz
Yes. Run the D-RATS repeater application and make a connection for the D-STAR radio and the TNC. It will work like a crossband repeater, letting data pass in both directions.
?
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If it is the RTS-05 cable, it works for both programming and data.
John WB4QDX
From my HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network
?
Will the RT Systems programming cable work for D-RATS too or will I need another cable?
Rusty
WB4BSD
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG -
Version: 2013.0.3336 / Virus Database: 3162/6317 - Release Date: 05/11/13
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Re: Dstar to packet and Vice Versa
Dan, I don't have a TNC to try, but I would think you would have better luck with a TNC, rather than running AGWPE. The AGWPE connection in D-RATS was just an experiment and no real support was given to it. If I ever get my hands on some TNCs, I'll give it a good going over. I think that would a great way to get non D-STAR users interested in D-RATS. Also consider the TS-2000 and D-7XX radios have built-in TNCs. The Alinco DR-135 has a TNC option board that fits inside the radio. I also wonder if using the TNC in transparent mode would give better results. If I had one, I'd try it. Good luck trying to bring D-RATS to the masses.
I've been trying for five years and have only made a small dent so far.
From: Dan Ozment
To: d-rats_group@...
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 6:06 PM
Subject: RE: [d-rats_group] Re: Dstar to packet and Vice Versa
?
Patrick, have you run a TNC on the repeater app??? I don't have one, so I was using AGWPE.?? A cohort tried setting up a TNC and had trouble.? We stopped since I had trouble with AGWPE.?? Would be interesting to hear that you have made it work. ? Dan??????? ? From: d-rats_group@... [mailto:d-rats_group@...] On Behalf Of n3tsz
Yes. Run the D-RATS repeater application and make a connection for the D-STAR radio and the TNC. It will work like a crossband repeater, letting data pass in both directions.
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I'm using the ID-51.? Rusty Bryant 4S?
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On May 15, 2013, at 18:03, "n3tsz" < n3tsz@...> wrote:
?
Which radio are you using? If your cable has a 2.5mm plug on the radio end, then probably yes. The 3.5mm plug that goes into the speaker won't work. The RT Systems "cloning" cable for the 92AD won't work.
--- In d-rats_group@..., "rustyb78" wrote:
>
> Will the RT Systems programming cable work for D-RATS too or will I need another cable?
>
> Rusty
> WB4BSD
>
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Re: Dstar to packet and Vice Versa
Patrick, have you run a TNC on the repeater app??? I don't have one, so I was using AGWPE.?? A cohort tried setting up a TNC and had trouble.? We stopped since I had trouble with AGWPE.?? Would be interesting to hear that you have made it work. ? Dan??????? ? From: d-rats_group@... [mailto:d-rats_group@...] On Behalf Of n3tsz
Yes. Run the D-RATS repeater application and make a connection for the D-STAR radio and the TNC. It will work like a crossband repeater, letting data pass in both directions.
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Which radio are you using? If your cable has a 2.5mm plug on the radio end, then probably yes. The 3.5mm plug that goes into the speaker won't work. The RT Systems "cloning" cable for the 92AD won't work.
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--- In d-rats_group@..., "rustyb78" <rustyb78@...> wrote:
Will the RT Systems programming cable work for D-RATS too or will I need another cable?
Rusty
WB4BSD
|
Re: Dstar to packet and Vice Versa
Yes. Run the D-RATS repeater application and make a connection for the D-STAR radio and the TNC. It will work like a crossband repeater, letting data pass in both directions.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In d-rats_group@..., "Leon" <control@...> wrote:
Is it possible to run packet radio and dstar ( serial ports configured and enabled ) , in order to route messages to each other ?????
Leon / 9Z4BM
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Don Poaps VA7QU
Patrick Connor
Dan Ozment