D-Star and D-Rats
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Greetings,
I may be all wet - but I suspect that the connection must be between the stations must be done like old packet radio rather than APRS unproto. In the message section panel there is a block for the station callsign that you want to connect to and then exchange traffic and files. In the case of a D-RATS form, I think you need to specify the destination callsign. But I could very wrong!!! -- ** -- "Support Personnel are as Important as Rescuers at a Mission" Ralph A Brigham NSS 22048RL KG4CSQ 1671 Ft Campbell Blvd The Residences Apt #Y5 Clarksville TN 37042-3542 (931) 906-9277 --***-- |
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Do you have a D-RATS software repeater setup and running?
Is each of the stations in your "network" running D-RATS on their own computers and have their computers connected to their Icom radios through a serial/USB cable? D-RATS can used over the internet, through RF over D-STAR radios and a combination of both but you first need a D-RATS ?software repeater up and running. Keith kc2oon |
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My first question is "Do you have voice communication between the two radios you are using?" If that is not working, then D-RATS will not. Assuming that you do have a voice path, you must configure the radios for "Low Speed Data" mode. This allows you to send and receive serial ASCII through the data connector on the radio. Please consult the radio's operating manual for instructions to do this. Now think of the D-STAR radio as a modem. You need a computer connected to the serial port of each radio. Configure the D-RATS client software for a serial connection by going to MENU>PREFERENCES>RADIO>ADD. NAME = user choice TYPE= Serial SERIAL PORT = Com port where your radio is connected BAUD RATE = must match the speed setting in the radio Click Add Click Save Go to the lower left corner of the Chat screen and use the drop-down arrow to select the connection you just made. Turn off power save if you are using portables. Download and follow the "Quick Setup Instructions" from the files section of the group. ?The settings will make radio operation more reliable. I hope I was able to answer your questions. Patrick (N3TSZ) From: "ve8nc@... [d-rats_group]" To: d-rats_group@... Sent: Monday, February 22, 2016 12:29 PM Subject: [d-rats_group] D-Star and D-Rats A friend of mine is trying to set up D-Rats with our D-Star repeater so that we can send formal messages and files to stations from our EMO station. ?The radio's are connecting to the D-Star repeater as the radios are transmitting and we are getting connect information from the D-Star. ?But we cannot seem to be able to send a message to a station. ?We have the radio's set on CQ. ?Any help from someone would be nice. Thanks ?David VY1XY
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I suspect your software repeater configuration isn't setup correctly or the radios on the system aren't configured correctly to access the software repeater. Every device on the "network" needs to be configured to access the "network".? Lets drop the actual radio repeater you want to use out of the equation since DRATS can be used simplex. So the RF repeater isn't the issue. First question: Is the computer you are running the DRATS software repeater on connected just to a radio or internet and radio??It also really pays to go through the DRATS repeater setup instructions step by step again to see if you left something out. When I was setting ours up for our ARES/OEM, I left out some simple stuff. This setup is 100% unforgiving. Everything needs to be done to the letter for it to operate.? ? When you start the DRATS software on the individual computers/radio combo's (not the radio connected to the software repeater) in the group, pay attention to the message in the bottom left hand corner. Does it say "connecting" then "connected", or does it give a message like Unable to connect operation timed out? If you're saying that nobody can see anyone else I'll bet they aren't connecting to the software repeater.? If you can answer those 2 questions we'll go from there. I got a lot of help on this board when I was setting mine up, I don't mind paying that forward. Keith kc2oon ? |
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Radio: Set UR, R1 and R2 as if you are making a voice contact with another radio. Set the radio to low speed data mode. This includes turning off GPS and setting DV DATA TX to AUTO. Confirm the speed setting. You usually have a choice of 4800 or 9600. The IC-91AD and 92AD use 38400. If you are using hand-held radios, turn off power save. Software: Go to Preferences>Radio and edit the connection you made for the radio. The port speed must match the setting in the radio. Under Transfers Set Warmup Length to 16. Set Warmup Timeout to 0. ?Click Save to exit preferences. Use the drop-down box in the lower-left corner of the chat window to select the radio connection you made. Type a message in the chat box and press Enter - the radio should transmit. A properly configured Radio connection will also decode position reports from mobile radios. Look in the Event log tab to see if you are receiving GPS sentences. If you see me on a D-RATS internet connection, give me a call, and I will try to talk you through it. You could also send your screenshots to n3tsz@... Patrick (N3TSZ) From: "ve8nc@... [d-rats_group]" To: d-rats_group@... Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2016 10:33 AM Subject: [d-rats_group] Re: D-Star and D-Rats Sorry about the late reply but have been very busy with the local dog races, festival. Thanks again for the reply. ?I did answer this once but I guess it did not go anywhere. 1, ?We have just two people testing out the system at the present time. ?We are connected to the repeater as the radio is transmitting and the screen on the computer is showing CQ CQ CQ in red. ?The bottom messages go by very fast, but in the event file it looks like I am connected. 2. The computer is connected to the radio and internet.? 3. ?One of the questions I have is what should be the settings on the dstar radio? ?I have not seen any discussion on that matter. ?UR ?, R1 ?, R2? ?What should UR be set at. 4. I see all the stations except the other radio that is on dstar what we are trying to connect. Thanks again for the help. ?If you give me your email address I can send you the screen views from the computer and radio directly which might help. Thanks again
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Ralph Alden Brigham
Keith, ASEC SNJ Section.
Patrick Connor