Information for Dongles and Hotspots

Supplementary Information for All Dongles and Hotspots

DVAP or DV Access Point Dongle or Red Dongle - General Information

self contained (red) miniature vhf radio transceiver, antenna and GMSK modem (but no AMBE2 codec). Price is $250 in a package.
requires Windows computer with USB port and internet connection. Software application for Windows, Mac, or linux is freeware.
allows someone with a D-STAR handheld, complete freedom of mobility near the DVAP.
controlled by any 2m D-STAR radio. This can be a breath of life for early model DSTAR radios like 2200H
can connect to any US Trust Reflector, US Trust Gateway, most FreeStar Reflectors and Gateway/Repeaters
voice announcements, can be personalized
10mw limited range adequate for coverage in house, yard, block, motel, camp
range can be improved with external antenna on dongle
simplex ... not a repeater ... so 2 local stations may not hear each other (due to range) but both can access dvap. This is not normally a problem, because range of handhelds and mobiles, with good antennas is superior to dvap.
dvap user cannot control the module he is connected to. He can only control the dvap

DVAP or DV Access Point Dongle or Red Dongle - Set up

This device and software will work under linux, windows or apple.

The web site is very good. See http://www.dvapdongle.com

The downloads section has good software.

The software may be newer or older at http://opendstar.org/tools/
Be sure that you are looking at DVAP software as it is mixed in with other software. Pay attention to the dates on the software.

For software also see http://www.dutch-star.eu/software/

DV Dongle or Blue Dongle - General Information

self contained (blue) miniature package which contains an AMBE2 codec and some interface logic. Price is $200 in a package.
Windows, Mac or linux PC software is free. Firmware is upgradeable via USB
module connects to PC computer USB port
normally requires a headset with microphone (not mandatory, but better results)
can connect to any US Trust Reflector module, US Trust Gateway module, or FreeStar equivalent.
functionality of a D-STAR radio
audio that is sent to a gateway module is heard by other connected hot spots, dongles, dvaps, radios.
audio from properly configured hot spot, dongle, dvap, radio is heard by your dongle
economical entry to D-STAR
handy on a trip. No RF required. Neat and clean, no mess. Power comes from USB port. Stay in touch with home repeater.

DV Dongle or Blue Dongle - Set up

This device and software will work under linux, windows or apple.

The web site is so-so. See http://www.dvdongle.com/

The requirements say that the device needs a 2GHz CPU etc. This is not correct. It runs fine on a 1.6GHz netbook as long as you are not running a lot of other stuff and downloading email, software, movies, etc.

Do not load the software from the above site.

However, the installation instructions and other information are OK.

The software is usually newer at http://opendstar.org/tools/
Be sure that you are looking at DVDongle software as it is mixed in with other software. Pay attention to the dates on the software.

For software also see http://www.dutch-star.eu/software/

Hot Spot or DVAR - General Information

DIY circuit board, or ready-built board, requires fm radio transceiver to be attached, price varies from about $60 - $130 for the board depending on stage of completion. Original boards referred to as Satoshi boards, in honour of original designer. Radio cost is extra but you can re-use an old FM transceiver
circuit board firmware (PIC 18F2550) is available for 10 Euros from Holland
pc software is free from Dutch site, or other places
power determined by the attached radio
range is determined by power and antenna
simplex ... not a repeater ... so 2 local stations may not hear each other (due to range) but both can access hotspot. This is not normally a problem.
can also function as a true repeater controller, if you have 2 radios, filters, etc
attached by USB to Windows PC and internet to a "specific" US Trust Reflector module, US Trust Gateway module, or FreeStar equivalent. The module that it is connected to, can be changed via the Windows application, or via radio, as with DVAP.
passive to audio of any dstar radio on same band as attached radio
extensive logging capability - great debug tool for various D-STAR problems

Hot Spot or DVAR - Set up

This applies to all versions of hot spot.

Firmware is available at http://www.dutch-star.eu/

Application software is found in the FILES section at this location (you have to join a Yahoo Group) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmsk_dv_node/

Here, for software you don't need to join a Yahoo Group http://www.dutch-star.eu/software/

Good info at:
http://www.dj0abr.de/english/technik/hotspot/dstar_hotspot.htm
http://www.dstarhotspot.com/

Additional gateways and addresses may be entered using the file named extragateways.txt in the same directory as the main program.

Note: To answer a frequently asked question - You cannot connect more than 1 hot spot to a computer. It will not work.

More stuff to check out:
http://www.dj0abr.de/english/technik/dstar/dvrptr.htm
http://www.dvrptr.de/

Hot Spot, Dongle, DVAP connecting to Other Hot Spots

See http://www.mb6ca.co.uk/id10.html

Hot Spot, Dongle, DVAP connecting to FreeStar

All three of these devices can connect to FreeStar, the only issue is to get the address into the device. There are various tricks. Talk to the locals.

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