The Maxon SD-170 Series Data Radio is ideal for digital and analog development.   With a GMSK 9k6 modem and FFSK 4k8 modem available as options.   A pair of SD-170 Series Data Radio can be configured as a in-band repeater as well  as a full bi-directional crossband repeater.

Some of the features of the Maxon SD-170 Series Data Radio include:

• 5 / 1 Watt RF Output
• 16 Channels (serial port controllable)
• CTCSS/DCS
• LED Status indicator
• Busy Channel Lock-out
• Battery Save Circuitry

For more information contact:

ResourceOne InfoQuest

It’s time again for Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day (ARMAD) on 23 May 2009, here in Madison/Huntsville, AL.  We will be setting up at a new site this year.  When more information come available we will announce the site location.

The Asterisk Amateur Radio Network will be join with the Drake State Technical College Amateur Radio Club promoting the use of amateur radio along with giving thanks and appreciation to our men and women who have served and who are serving now in the Arm Forces.  This will be a great day for all to come out and support the troops on a job that continues to be at the fore front of our mission for the country and the world.

We hope to have HF/VHF/UHF radio system setup for operations. Making contact to other ARMAD or any amateur radio stations. We will also use VoIP systems such as Asterisk, IRLP and Echolink for those who would like to call in. There is also a special IRLP reflector for all IRLP station to call into. This IRLP reflector is experimental node 0011.  This is a special IRLP reflector and you will need to make sure your IRLP node are setup to make the call into.  More information will be put out on these special parameters in a few days. So stay tune.

For Asterisk call in, one can call in on AST node 2048, this way you will be able to talk to IRLP and echolink nodes alike. For Echolink nodes one can call in on the Kansas Reflector, node 44445 and W4WWM-L, node 54572. Any of these connections will be fine.  We would also like to try something new. We will have a control Ham Radio operator standing by for third party calls. This way we can also show the power of Asterisk PBX. So look for more special information on how this will happen here on this site.

Anyway we will look for all to come out and support this great day for ARMAD and to make radio contacts using our hobby, amateur radio to communicate.  73 and Stay tune for more info!

Will / W4WWM

D-STAR Hot-Point to Local Analog Link

1. FROM ANALOG RADIO mobile mode:

It is from analog HT radio mobile user, to analog base radio at QTH, to radio interface board(ULI, signallink, VA3TO, WB2REM,….), to serial port/sound card (or USB port/sound card), to D-STAR Hot-Point software, to dongle (to convert to D-STAR/ambe), back to D-STAR Hot-Point software, to remote D-STAR repeater over IP.

2. From D-STAR RADIO mobile mode:

It is from D-STAR mobile radio user, to local D-STAR repeater, to remote station over IP running D-STAR Hot-Point software, to local mobile radio user with an analog HT.

D-STAR Hot-Point runs on Linux Desktop or Microsoft Windows.

D-STAR Hot*Point to Local A/D Links

The Digital Hot-Point software was developed by KI4LKF

Currently the network has the capability to communicate via:

• RF Gateways to;
  • VHF
  • UHF
  • 2.4GHz
  • 5.8GHz
• Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
• Internet Telephone Service (ITS, IPphone, et al)
  • SIP connectivity
  • IAX2 connectivity
• Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio (D-STAR)

For more information about AADN please visit Southeastern Asterisk Radio Networks (SEARN)

• dextra_srv runs on the Icom D-STAR repeater/gateway Linux computer.  The dextra_srv communicates with with the D-STAR repeater controller.   A D-STAR radio user can request to link/unlink  the D-STAR repeater/gateway to/from a D-STAR reflector by setting URCALL to the correct value.  Here is an example:  Setting URCALL=XRF001CL will link the D-STAR repeater (the D-STAR radio user is listening on) to the D-STAR reflector XRF001. dextra_srv can accept multiple PC User connections plus one single connection to a D-STAR reflector (dextra_reflect).  dextra_srv is independent of dplus with connections taking place via udp port 60001 (configurable).
• dextra_reflect is our software for creating D-STAR reflectors.  As with dextra_srv, dextra_reflect runs on a Linux computer only.  dextra_reflect will accept multiple connections from PC Users as well as multiple connections from D-STAR repeaters and gateways that run the dextra_srv software.
• dextra_cli is the client PC User software that can connect to either D-STAR reflectors (dextra_reflect) or D-STAR repeaters and gateways that run dextra_srv.

How to link two or more D-STAR repeaters/gateways together.

• Create a D-STAR reflector using dextra_reflect software.
• Use dextra_srv on each D-STAR repeater/gateway and linkthe repeater/gateway to the D-STAR reflector (dextra_reflect).

What happens with a D-STAR repeater/gateway that wants to participate with both K5TIT and the new system?

• dextra_srv, dextra_reflect are independent of the K5TIT.
• maintain the current software on your gateway and add dextra_srv, this will provide the repeater/gateway operator the flexibility to manage traffice from either or both systems.

I don’t have a Linux computer, can I still participate with D-STAR?

• dextra_cli runs on Linux or Windows.
• dextra_cli is used with rtpDir, you can use your computer microphone and speakers to transmit and receive.
• Just install rtpDir (Linux or Windows) plus dextra_cli (Linux or Windows)

New versions of dextra_srv, dextra_reflect and dextra_cli will be released shortly.  Additional tools are in development.

2 ) Long range HSMM networks with data/video/voice capabilities. (With products like the Ubiquiti Networks Bullet[ubnt.com] should be able to get some decent range)

3) Low-cost Digital Interface that can plug into any radio with a data port (most new radios have a data port present, plus by regulation {at least for Part 90 equipment} they have to be able to handle at least 4k8 baud data – definitely not high speed, but it lets messaging take place).

4) Compact Rapid Deployment Links (RaDL) based on Asterisk that can be quickly delivered to any location thus providing phone and radio connectivity. ** Come up with a way to do it with the Gumstix Overo boards everything could fit in a radio. Add a Ethernet pigtail on the back of the radio one would have access to local SIP/IAX2 phone capabilities plus the radio could provide long-haul capabilities for at least one call to the outside world. Instant dispatch capabilities with the package too, along with intertie to other radio systems.**

The radio itself would work as a link/remote base anyone in the local network could connect through the LAN/wLAN to the RF side to transmit/receive via the radio itself. Plus they would still have local network capabilities. Since the original gumstix/Asterisk package was able to handle 10 to 15 calls, the new package should be able to increase that by at least (to 15 to 20 calls). Attach another wLAN to the RaDL would create another sub-network as well as capability for a second RF Gateway channel.

APCO P25 Phase I is the present version that is in used across the country for Digital Public Safety, the P25 “open” standard has been reworked by some manufacturers limiting some of the standardization that the P25 was hoped to present..

P25 Phase I has the ability to function as a analog system or digital system.

P25 Presently operates via FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) with the plan for P25 Phase II to use TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), P25 Phase II will also have the capability to “roll-back” to FDMA for “conventional emergency operations.”

The D-STAR system provides a new capability and functionality to the Amateur Radio world and increases the efficiency of emergency communications.

D-STAR provides digital voice at 4k8 baud and data is available via 1.2GHz at a rate up to 128kbps via GMSK modulation – Gaussian Mask Shift Keying,

On VHF and UHF digital voice plus 950bps data can conexist on the same channel.

At the present time only Icom is making transceivers with D-STAR capability. With experimentation one can modify other transceivers for D-STAR Connectivity.

Fixed Base (i.e. repeaters) do not have analog capabilities – Strictly Digital Only.

Mobile/Porable D-STAR enabled equipment have both analog and digital capabilities.

Data throughput is 2k0 per time slot.

MotoTRBO has analog capability (repeaters can be programmed to operate analog or digital, mobiles and portables can operate analog and digital).

NXDN is marketed by Icom as IDAS (Icom Digital Advanced System) and Kenwood as NEXEDGE. With channels at true 6.25kHz channel spacing using FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Acess).

NXDN provides 9k6 @ 8.3kHz bandwidth and 4k8 @ 4kHz bandwidth.

NXDN is compatible with analog systems thus making migration from analog to digital easier. Some of the companies participating in NXDN equipment development include: Daniel Electronics, Icom, Kenwood and Ritron among others.

Digital Analog Radio Network

Send In Most Potentially Linkable Exchange

With the diversity of both digital and analog systems available today a way to connect them together is needed.  Through the development of Digital Analog Radio Network (DARN) methods will be presented that complete the interconnectivity and interoperability necessities.

May DARN be found as a way “to mend by weaving thread across a gap” in technology.