Sending Pictures with the D-Star Radio

For complete details on the D-Star Picture Net visit?. Read the instruction manual for the??and the iOS devices. The same manual is used for both. Be sure to check out the “Compatible Transceiver” tab to see what features your radio will support. The Kenwood D74 radio is not listed in the compatible list but the RS-MS1A Android App will work with this radio. Use the Bluetooth to connect the two together. Keep in mind that when using the App’s, the App controls the radio. So, making changes in the radio should not have to be done.

The IC-9700, IC-705 and ID-52A will work out of the box without the Android or iOS devices attached. Consult the User’s Manual.?You also may?take, edit, and transfer the pictures from the iPhone, or android device using the ST4001W(A) ICOM free app. A picture can be taken with a phone, edited, and then transferred to the radio using the WiFi. For the other radios you need to use the serial cable.

The D-Star Picture Mode article Mark, M5BOP wrote and was published in the November issue of RSGB RadCom magazine has been released for us to read. Thank you, Mark for sharing. I have attached the .pdf copy.

Hotspots

Not all hotspots will support the Fast Data mode however, pretty much all will support the Slow Data mode. We are seeing that the older hotspots have issues with coding being outdated. Many are no longer supported be their creator. The newer hotspots such as the openSPOT2 and 3 work really well with the latest version of firmware. The DVMEGA with the BlueDV firmware is another excellent choice. The developers of these two devices have been willing to work with us and ensure that the features are supported.

Doozy

Last week on the D-Star Picture net we had a number of Doozy users. David, PA7LIM has developed a new software which supports ICOM radios in the terminal mode, no hotspot is required. See here:??to download the software and for?further details. At the present time it is available only for Win 10. Hopefully, the Android version will be out soon. After downloading the software, test it out on REF072D or E.

Testing

Testing the hotspot can be done using REF072E. Select Send Picture. Select a picture. Try to select a picture with little color. The transmission takes longer to send if there is a lot of color. On the picture quality and size select Low (25%) and 160 x 120. If the radio supports Fast Data, select it. Start Transmitting. Now select Receive Picture. When the transmission has finished or REF072E has timed out the picture will be echoed back. The “E” module has a short timeout timer. You will be able to tell how the hotspot will react during the net, and if the App is setup correct.