Being a DSP based radio, the BF888 is a cheap low power analog only RF package. Given the lack of discriminator and modulator access it is limited.
For a receiver the Maxtrac / Radius / GM300 work well. For a transmitter not so much. Heat output and with the Maxtrac, problems with power and deviation control out of band can cause problems without custom firmware or hardware hacks.
My absolute favorite RF gear for Analog / Digital repeaters is Tait. The T800 series is a purpose built programmable Exciter / Receiver package. With access to all the signals anyone would want. I started using them for 927 MHz repeaters and have had great performance on UHF and VHF. Mix and match at will. Pair a VHF receiver with a UHF or 900 MHz transmitter for a nice RF linked receiver site. For link radios simplex nodes and "Hot Spots" I've come to favor the Tait T2000 mobiles. They are easy to program, well documented, lots of IO and run cool in transmit.
The above is not to say there are not a LOT of great repeater / node packages out there. The GE MASTR II comes to mind. I have to mention the Micor to keep the flack down. I've built repeaters using everything from a Motorola 30D to current equipment.
Your mileage may vary.
73, Steve N4IRS
···
–
,
(o o)
-----ooO-(_)-Ooo------
— N4IRS was Here —
Well my personal experience with a baofeng node is really good audio reports, and sometimes better than my motorola SM-50 discriminator audio. I just use the internal tone decoder in those baofeng radios for COR.
Well my personal experience with a baofeng node is really good audio reports, and sometimes better than my motorola SM-50 discriminator audio. I just use the internal tone decoder in those baofeng radios for COR.
Can I have an explanation of why discriminator is needed for anything but actual digital modulation like 9600 baud?
To prevent PL tones?
Nope, when plugging in good headsets I can hear the CTCSS tone from the repeater and even on the baofeng.
Lack of high frequency noise?
Put a high pass filter
Someone please explain why discrim is needed. Good audio is good audio and can’t it be manipulated to fit the needs of the application?
On 9/24/2015 9:30 AM, Skyler Fennell wrote:
Maybe I don’t want other filters inline, I want total control of the receive audio. de-emphases CTCSS filtering etc.
If worried about audio levels, put an AlC which automatically feeds the system (weather Allstar or free star) with the perfect level independent of the level of the user.
Being a DSP based radio, the BF888 is a cheap low power analog only RF package. Given the lack of discriminator and modulator access it is limited.
For a receiver the Maxtrac / Radius / GM300 work well. For a transmitter not so much. Heat output and with the Maxtrac, problems with power and deviation control out of band can cause problems without custom firmware or hardware hacks.
My absolute favorite RF gear for Analog / Digital repeaters is Tait. The T800 series is a purpose built programmable Exciter / Receiver package. With access to all the signals anyone would want. I started using them for 927 MHz repeaters and have had great performance on UHF and VHF. Mix and match at will. Pair a VHF receiver with a UHF or 900 MHz transmitter for a nice RF linked receiver site. For link radios simplex nodes and “Hot Spots” I’ve come to favor the Tait T2000 mobiles. They are easy to program, well documented, lots of IO and run cool in transmit.
The above is not to say there are not a LOT of great repeater / node packages out there. The GE MASTR II comes to mind. I have to mention the Micor to keep the flack down. I’ve built repeaters using everything from a Motorola 30D to current equipment.
You do not need a password to unsubscribe, you can do it via email confirmation. If you have trouble unsubscribing, please send a message to the list detailing the problem.
Is it possible to use a URIx for freestar yet or do you still need a hardware board for the digital stuff? I know they were working on something for software.
Digital needs unfiltered receiver and transmitter audio. I've done
it with D-STAR and DMR. I have only setup a SM-50 as a user radio.
Steve
On 9/24/2015 10:05 AM, Skyler F wrote:
Well my personal experience with a baofeng node is
really good audio reports, and sometimes better than my motorola
SM-50 discriminator audio. I just use the internal tone decoder
in those baofeng radios for COR.
power analog only RF package. Given the lack of
discriminator and modulator access it is limited.
For a receiver the Maxtrac / Radius / GM300 work
well. For a transmitter not so much. Heat output and
with the Maxtrac, problems with power and deviation
control out of band can cause problems without
custom firmware or hardware hacks.
My absolute favorite RF gear for Analog / Digital
repeaters is Tait. The T800 series is a purpose
built programmable Exciter / Receiver package. With
access to all the signals anyone would want. I
started using them for 927 MHz repeaters and have
had great performance on UHF and VHF. Mix and match
at will. Pair a VHF receiver with a UHF or 900 MHz
transmitter for a nice RF linked receiver site. For
link radios simplex nodes and “Hot Spots” I’ve come
to favor the Tait T2000 mobiles. They are easy to
program, well documented, lots of IO and run cool in
transmit.
The above is not to say there are not a LOT of great
repeater / node packages out there. The GE MASTR II
comes to mind. I have to mention the Micor to keep
the flack down. I’ve built repeaters using
everything from a Motorola 30D to current equipment.
Your mileage may vary.
73, Steve N4IRS
--
,,,
(o o)
-----ooO-(_)-Ooo------
--- N4IRS was Here ---
_______________________________________________
App_rpt-users mailing list
App_rpt-users@ohnosec.org
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This should be on the freestar reflector I think (re: “dstarrepeaterd” program – the “sound card” DSTAR modem)
I found that the low-pass filtering in the URI limits the frequency response so that it does not reproduce the baseband signal with enough fidelity to work on DSTAR GMSK. The result is a lot of errors on the DSTAR side. As posted many times on the other reflector, the absolute cheapest sound fob with no filtering seems to work best (but make sure your transmitter has at least some filtering).
Having said that, as an experiment, I changed the relevant surface-mount capacitors in one channel, of one of my URIs, and it worked fine on DSTAR.
Is it possible to use a URIx for freestar yet or do you still need a hardware board for the digital stuff? I know they were working on something for software.
Digital needs unfiltered receiver and transmitter audio. I’ve done it with D-STAR and DMR. I have only setup a SM-50 as a user radio.
Steve
On 9/24/2015 10:05 AM, Skyler F wrote:
Well my personal experience with a baofeng node is really good audio reports, and sometimes better than my motorola SM-50 discriminator audio. I just use the internal tone decoder in those baofeng radios for COR.
Can I have an explanation of why discriminator is needed for anything but actual digital modulation like 9600 baud?
To prevent PL tones?
Nope, when plugging in good headsets I can hear the CTCSS tone from the repeater and even on the baofeng.
Lack of high frequency noise?
Put a high pass filter
Someone please explain why discrim is needed. Good audio is good audio and can’t it be manipulated to fit the needs of the application?
Maybe I don’t want other filters inline, I want total control of the receive audio. de-emphases CTCSS filtering etc.
If worried about audio levels, put an AlC which automatically feeds the system (weather Allstar or free star) with the perfect level independent of the level of the user.
Being a DSP based radio, the BF888 is a cheap low power analog only RF package. Given the lack of discriminator and modulator access it is limited.
For a receiver the Maxtrac / Radius / GM300 work well. For a transmitter not so much. Heat output and with the Maxtrac, problems with power and deviation control out of band can cause problems without custom firmware or hardware hacks.
My absolute favorite RF gear for Analog / Digital repeaters is Tait. The T800 series is a purpose built programmable Exciter / Receiver package. With access to all the signals anyone would want. I started using them for 927 MHz repeaters and have had great performance on UHF and VHF. Mix and match at will. Pair a VHF receiver with a UHF or 900 MHz transmitter for a nice RF linked receiver site. For link radios simplex nodes and “Hot Spots” I’ve come to favor the Tait T2000 mobiles. They are easy to program, well documented, lots of IO and run cool in transmit.
The above is not to say there are not a LOT of great repeater / node packages out there. The GE MASTR II comes to mind. I have to mention the Micor to keep the flack down. I’ve built repeaters using everything from a Motorola 30D to current equipment.
Your mileage may vary.
73, Steve N4IRS
–
,
(o o)
-----ooO-(_)-Ooo------
— N4IRS was Here —
To unsubscribe from this list please visit http://ohnosec.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/app_rpt-users and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Enter your email address and press the “Unsubscribe or edit options button”
You do not need a password to unsubscribe, you can do it via email confirmation. If you have trouble unsubscribing, please send a message to the list detailing the problem.
Do you do your own repairs to the Tait radios? I have a Tait repeater. Their USA headquarters is about a mile from my home. I took the repeater to them for repair, and they flat out do not work on anything of theirs that is not now narrow band. No exceptions period, not even for amateurs. That sucks, no compassion for us hams.
N5ZUA
···
On 9/24/2015 8:15 AM, Steve Zingman wrote:
Being a DSP based radio, the BF888 is a cheap low power analog only RF package. Given the lack of discriminator and modulator access it is limited.
For a receiver the Maxtrac / Radius / GM300 work well. For a transmitter not so much. Heat output and with the Maxtrac, problems with power and deviation control out of band can cause problems without custom firmware or hardware hacks.
My absolute favorite RF gear for Analog / Digital repeaters is Tait. The T800 series is a purpose built programmable Exciter / Receiver package. With access to all the signals anyone would want. I started using them for 927 MHz repeaters and have had great performance on UHF and VHF. Mix and match at will. Pair a VHF receiver with a UHF or 900 MHz transmitter for a nice RF linked receiver site. For link radios simplex nodes and "Hot Spots" I've come to favor the Tait T2000 mobiles. They are easy to program, well documented, lots of IO and run cool in transmit.
The above is not to say there are not a LOT of great repeater / node packages out there. The GE MASTR II comes to mind. I have to mention the Micor to keep the flack down. I've built repeaters using everything from a Motorola 30D to current equipment.
Yes, I agree with you that the 888 has amazing audio for being a $12
radio!
While I haven't personally tested the 888 for the various parameters
needed to make a high-speed MODEM work (such as needed for D-STAR or
9600baud packet radio), I don't expect the 888 would ever be suitable.
High speed MODEMs require a very clean and consistent audio pass band,
hence why discriminator audio and direct modulation are used. Without
getting deeply into the details, what I mean by this is that audio
processing and various filtering (e.g.: high-pass to eliminate PL tones
and low-pass for de-emphasis, etc.) causes frequency-specific audio phase
shifts and changes in group delay. None of this particularly matters to
the human ear. But, to a high speed MODEM, these minute changes are deal
breakers--the MODEM won't be able to decode. Years ago (in the packet
radio era) there were some good articles with photos describing all this
in detail. I'll try to find more info if you're interested?
73, David KB4FXC
···
On Thu, 24 Sep 2015, Skyler F wrote:
Well my personal experience with a baofeng node is really good audio
reports, and sometimes better than my motorola SM-50 discriminator audio. I
just use the internal tone decoder in those baofeng radios for COR.
Would they not be suitable for DSTAR though?
On Thu, Sep 24, 2015 at 8:05 AM, Skyler F <electricity440@gmail.com> wrote:
> Well my personal experience with a baofeng node is really good audio
> reports, and sometimes better than my motorola SM-50 discriminator audio. I
> just use the internal tone decoder in those baofeng radios for COR.
>
> Would they not be suitable for DSTAR though?
>
> On Thu, Sep 24, 2015 at 7:41 AM, Steve Zingman <szingman@msgstor.com> > > wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> On 9/24/2015 9:30 AM, Skyler Fennell wrote:
>>
>>> Can I have an explanation of why discriminator is needed for anything
>>> but actual digital modulation like 9600 baud?
>>>
>>> To prevent PL tones?
>>> Nope, when plugging in good headsets I can hear the CTCSS tone from the
>>> repeater and even on the baofeng.
>>>
>>> Lack of high frequency noise?
>>> Put a high pass filter
>>>
>>> Someone please explain why discrim is needed. Good audio is good audio
>>> and can't it be manipulated to fit the needs of the application?
>>>
>>> Maybe I don't want other filters inline, I want total control of the
>> receive audio. de-emphases CTCSS filtering etc.
>>
>> If worried about audio levels, put an AlC which automatically feeds the
>>> system (weather Allstar or free star) with the perfect level independent of
>>> the level of the user.
>>>
>>> Please note I'm only talking analog.
>>>
>>> 73
>>> Skyler KD0WHB
>>>
>>> On Sep 24, 2015, at 7:15 AM, Steve Zingman <szingman@msgstor.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Being a DSP based radio, the BF888 is a cheap low power analog only RF
>>>> package. Given the lack of discriminator and modulator access it is limited.
>>>>
>>>> For a receiver the Maxtrac / Radius / GM300 work well. For a
>>>> transmitter not so much. Heat output and with the Maxtrac, problems with
>>>> power and deviation control out of band can cause problems without custom
>>>> firmware or hardware hacks.
>>>>
>>>> My absolute favorite RF gear for Analog / Digital repeaters is Tait.
>>>> The T800 series is a purpose built programmable Exciter / Receiver package.
>>>> With access to all the signals anyone would want. I started using them for
>>>> 927 MHz repeaters and have had great performance on UHF and VHF. Mix and
>>>> match at will. Pair a VHF receiver with a UHF or 900 MHz transmitter for a
>>>> nice RF linked receiver site. For link radios simplex nodes and "Hot Spots"
>>>> I've come to favor the Tait T2000 mobiles. They are easy to program, well
>>>> documented, lots of IO and run cool in transmit.
>>>>
>>>> The above is not to say there are not a LOT of great repeater / node
>>>> packages out there. The GE MASTR II comes to mind. I have to mention the
>>>> Micor to keep the flack down. I've built repeaters using everything from
>>>> a Motorola 30D to current equipment.
>>>>
>>>> Your mileage may vary.
>>>>
>>>> 73, Steve N4IRS
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> ,
>>>> (o o)
>>>> -----ooO-(_)-Ooo------
>>>> --- N4IRS was Here ---
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> App_rpt-users mailing list
>>>> App_rpt-users@ohnosec.org
>>>> http://ohnosec.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/app_rpt-users
>>>>
>>>> To unsubscribe from this list please visit
>>>> http://ohnosec.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/app_rpt-users and scroll
>>>> down to the bottom of the page. Enter your email address and press the
>>>> "Unsubscribe or edit options button"
>>>> You do not need a password to unsubscribe, you can do it via email
>>>> confirmation. If you have trouble unsubscribing, please send a message to
>>>> the list detailing the problem.
>>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Skyler Fennell
> amsatnet.info
> KDØWHB
> electricity440@gmail.com
>
So what you are saying is that freestar only allows the DSTAR network if you are coming in from a digital modulation, if the switch is flipped to analog, it disables the network?
–
On Thu, Sep 24, 2015 at 12:26 PM, Ken ke2n@cs.com wrote:
You can transmit GMSK containing the DSTAR encoding with a cheap sound card. The hard part is finding a radio that passes 1 Hz to about 6 kHz with a fairly flat passband.
The freestar folks have a way to toggle operation between analog and digital, if you want (see VA3UV web pages).
The “Network” activity is managed by separate linking programs that talk to the repeater software module. If you were in analog mode, the linking programs would not get any data and they would not do anything on the network that linked the DSTAR machine to a reflector or other repeater.
I should probably move this to a DSTAR/free star group but here is my last question:
If I want a radio to transmit digital, I can use software with a cheap sound card. Correct?
Is there any way to use a sound card to transmit analog audio while still connected to the DSTAR network?
On Sep 24, 2015, at 8:28 AM, Ken ke2n@cs.com wrote:
This should be on the freestar reflector I think (re: “dstarrepeaterd” program – the “sound card” DSTAR modem)
I found that the low-pass filtering in the URI limits the frequency response so that it does not reproduce the baseband signal with enough fidelity to work on DSTAR GMSK. The result is a lot of errors on the DSTAR side. As posted many times on the other reflector, the absolute cheapest sound fob with no filtering seems to work best (but make sure your transmitter has at least some filtering).
Having said that, as an experiment, I changed the relevant surface-mount capacitors in one channel, of one of my URIs, and it worked fine on DSTAR.
Is it possible to use a URIx for freestar yet or do you still need a hardware board for the digital stuff? I know they were working on something for software.
Digital needs unfiltered receiver and transmitter audio. I’ve done it with D-STAR and DMR. I have only setup a SM-50 as a user radio.
Steve
On 9/24/2015 10:05 AM, Skyler F wrote:
Well my personal experience with a baofeng node is really good audio reports, and sometimes better than my motorola SM-50 discriminator audio. I just use the internal tone decoder in those baofeng radios for COR.
Can I have an explanation of why discriminator is needed for anything but actual digital modulation like 9600 baud?
To prevent PL tones?
Nope, when plugging in good headsets I can hear the CTCSS tone from the repeater and even on the baofeng.
Lack of high frequency noise?
Put a high pass filter
Someone please explain why discrim is needed. Good audio is good audio and can’t it be manipulated to fit the needs of the application?
Maybe I don’t want other filters inline, I want total control of the receive audio. de-emphases CTCSS filtering etc.
If worried about audio levels, put an AlC which automatically feeds the system (weather Allstar or free star) with the perfect level independent of the level of the user.
Being a DSP based radio, the BF888 is a cheap low power analog only RF package. Given the lack of discriminator and modulator access it is limited.
For a receiver the Maxtrac / Radius / GM300 work well. For a transmitter not so much. Heat output and with the Maxtrac, problems with power and deviation control out of band can cause problems without custom firmware or hardware hacks.
My absolute favorite RF gear for Analog / Digital repeaters is Tait. The T800 series is a purpose built programmable Exciter / Receiver package. With access to all the signals anyone would want. I started using them for 927 MHz repeaters and have had great performance on UHF and VHF. Mix and match at will. Pair a VHF receiver with a UHF or 900 MHz transmitter for a nice RF linked receiver site. For link radios simplex nodes and “Hot Spots” I’ve come to favor the Tait T2000 mobiles. They are easy to program, well documented, lots of IO and run cool in transmit.
The above is not to say there are not a LOT of great repeater / node packages out there. The GE MASTR II comes to mind. I have to mention the Micor to keep the flack down. I’ve built repeaters using everything from a Motorola 30D to current equipment.
Your mileage may vary.
73, Steve N4IRS
–
,
(o o)
-----ooO-(_)-Ooo------
— N4IRS was Here —
To unsubscribe from this list please visit http://ohnosec.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/app_rpt-users and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Enter your email address and press the “Unsubscribe or edit options button”
You do not need a password to unsubscribe, you can do it via email confirmation. If you have trouble unsubscribing, please send a message to the list detailing the problem.
So what you are saying is that freestar only allows
the DSTAR network if you are coming in from a digital
modulation, if the switch is flipped to analog, it
disables the network?
On Thu, Sep 24, 2015 at 12:26
PM, Ken <>
wrote:
You
can transmit GMSK containing the DSTAR
encoding with a cheap sound card.�� The
hard part is finding a radio that passes 1
Hz to about 6 kHz with a fairly flat
passband.
�
The
freestar folks have a way to toggle
operation between analog and digital, if
you want (see VA3UV web pages).
�
The
�Network� activity is managed by separate
linking programs that talk to the repeater
software module.� If you were in analog
mode, the linking programs would not get
any data and they would not do anything on
the network that linked the DSTAR machine
to a reflector or other repeater.
�
So:
yes.
�
Regards
Ken
�
�
�
From:
Skyler Fennell [mailto:
]
Thursday, September 24,
2015 1:29 PM
Ken <>
**Subject:** Re: [App_rpt-users]
AllStar Node / repeater radios
�
I should probably
move this to a DSTAR/free star group
but here is my last question:
�
If I want a radio
to transmit digital, I can use
software with a cheap sound card.
Correct?
�
Is there any way to
use a sound card to transmit analog
audio while still connected to the
DSTAR network?
�
�
�
On Sep 24, 2015, at 8:28 AM, Ken < >
wrote:
This
should be on the freestar
reflector I think (re:
�dstarrepeaterd� program � the
�sound card� DSTAR modem)
�
I
found that the low-pass filtering
in the URI limits the frequency
response so that it does not
reproduce the baseband signal with
enough fidelity to work on DSTAR
GMSK.� The result is a lot of
errors on the DSTAR side.� As
posted many times on the other
reflector, the absolute cheapest
sound fob with no filtering seems
to work best (but make sure your
transmitter has at least some
filtering).
�
Having
said that, as an experiment, I
changed the relevant surface-mount
capacitors in one channel, of one
of my URIs, and it worked fine on
DSTAR.
�
Regards
�
Ken
KE2N
�
�
From:
Skyler F [
]
Thursday, September
24, 2015 10:17 AM
Re:
[App_rpt-users] AllStar Node /
repeater radios
�
Is it possible
to use a URIx for freestar yet or
do you still need a hardware board
for the digital stuff? I know they
were working on something for
software.
�
On Thu, Sep
24, 2015 at 8:15 AM, Steve
Zingman < >
wrote:
Digital
needs unfiltered receiver
and transmitter audio. I’ve
done it with D-STAR and DMR.
I have only setup a SM-50 as
a user radio.
Steve
�
On
9/24/2015 10:05 AM,
Skyler F wrote:
Well
my personal
experience with a
baofeng node is
really good audio
reports, and
sometimes better
than my motorola
SM-50 discriminator
audio. I just use
the internal tone
decoder in those
baofeng radios for
COR.�
�
Would
they not be
suitable for DSTAR
though?
�
On
Thu, Sep 24, 2015
at 7:41 AM, Steve
Zingman < >
wrote:
On 9/24/2015
9:30 AM, Skyler
Fennell wrote:
Can I have an explanation of why
discriminator
is needed for
anything but
actual digital
modulation
like 9600
baud?
To prevent PL
tones?
Nope, when
plugging in
good headsets
I can hear the
CTCSS tone
from the
repeater and
even on the
baofeng.
Lack of high
frequency
noise?
Put a high
pass filter
Someone please
explain why
discrim is
needed. Good
audio is good
audio and
can’t it be
manipulated to
fit the needs
of the
application?
Maybe
I don’t want
other filters
inline, I want
total control of
the receive
audio.
de-emphases
CTCSS filtering
etc.
�
If worried about audio levels, put an AlC
which
automatically
feeds the
system
(weather
Allstar or
free star)
with the
perfect level
independent of
the level of
the user.
Please note
I’m only
talking
analog.
73
Skyler KD0WHB
On
Sep 24, 2015,
at 7:15 AM,
Steve Zingman
< >
wrote:
Being a DSP
based radio,
the BF888 is a
cheap low
power analog
only RF
package. Given
the lack of
discriminator
and modulator
access it is
limited.
For a receiver
the Maxtrac� /
Radius / GM300
work well. For
a transmitter
not so much.
Heat output
and with the
Maxtrac,
problems with
power and
deviation
control out of
band can cause
problems
without custom
firmware or
hardware
hacks.
My absolute
favorite RF
gear for
Analog /
Digital
repeaters is
Tait. The T800
series is a
purpose built
programmable
Exciter /
Receiver
package. With
access to all
the signals
anyone would
want. I
started using
them for 927
MHz repeaters
and have had
great
performance on
UHF and VHF.
Mix and match
at will. Pair
a VHF receiver
with a UHF or
900 MHz
transmitter
for a nice RF
linked
receiver site.
For link
radios simplex
nodes and “Hot
Spots” I’ve
come to favor
the Tait T2000
mobiles. They
are easy to
program, well
documented,
lots of IO and
run cool in
transmit.
The above is
not to say
there are not
a LOT of great
repeater /
node packages
out there. The
GE MASTR II
comes to mind.
I have to
mention the
Micor to keep
the flack
down. I’ve
built
repeaters
using
everything
from a
Motorola 30D
to current
equipment.
Your mileage
may vary.
73, Steve
N4IRS
– � � � � �,
� � � � (o o)
-----ooO-(_)-Ooo------
— N4IRS was
Here —
App_rpt-users
mailing list
To unsubscribe
from this list
please visit and scroll
down to the
bottom of the
page. Enter
your email
address and
press the
“Unsubscribe
or edit
options
button”
You do not
need a
password to
unsubscribe,
you can do it
via email
confirmation.
If you have
trouble
unsubscribing,
please send a
message to the
list detailing
the problem.
_______________________________________________
App_rpt-users mailing list
To unsubscribe from this list please visit and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Enter your email address and press the "Unsubscribe or edit options button"
You do not need a password to unsubscribe, you can do it via email confirmation. If you have trouble unsubscribing, please send a message to the list detailing the problem.
So what you are saying is that freestar only allows
the DSTAR network if you are coming in from a digital
modulation, if the switch is flipped to analog, it
disables the network?
On Thu, Sep 24, 2015 at
12:26 PM, Ken <>
wrote:
You
can transmit GMSK containing the DSTAR
encoding with a cheap sound card. The
hard part is finding a radio that passes
1 Hz to about 6 kHz with a fairly flat
passband.
The
freestar folks have a way to toggle
operation between analog and digital, if
you want (see VA3UV web pages).
The
“Network” activity is managed by
separate linking programs that talk to
the repeater software module. If you
were in analog mode, the linking
programs would not get any data and they
would not do anything on the network
that linked the DSTAR machine to a
reflector or other repeater.
So:
yes.
Regards
Ken
From:
Skyler Fennell [mailto:]
Thursday, September 24,
2015 1:29 PM
Ken <>
**Subject:** Re: [App_rpt-users]
AllStar Node / repeater radios
I should probably
move this to a DSTAR/free star group
but here is my last question:
If I want a radio
to transmit digital, I can use
software with a cheap sound card.
Correct?
Is there any way
to use a sound card to transmit
analog audio while still connected
to the DSTAR network?
On Sep 24, 2015, at 8:28 AM, Ken
<>
wrote:
This
should be on the freestar
reflector I think (re:
“dstarrepeaterd” program – the
“sound card” DSTAR modem)
I
found that the low-pass
filtering in the URI limits the
frequency response so that it
does not reproduce the baseband
signal with enough fidelity to
work on DSTAR GMSK. The result
is a lot of errors on the DSTAR
side. As posted many times on
the other reflector, the
absolute cheapest sound fob with
no filtering seems to work best
(but make sure your transmitter
has at least some filtering).
Having
said that, as an experiment, I
changed the relevant
surface-mount capacitors in one
channel, of one of my URIs, and
it worked fine on DSTAR.
Regards
Ken
KE2N
From:
Skyler F
Thursday, September
24, 2015 10:17 AM
Re:
[App_rpt-users] AllStar Node /
repeater radios
Is it
possible to use a URIx for
freestar yet or do you still
need a hardware board for the
digital stuff? I know they were
working on something for
software.
On Thu, Sep
24, 2015 at 8:15 AM, Steve
Zingman <> wrote:
Digital
needs unfiltered receiver
and transmitter audio.
I’ve done it with D-STAR
and DMR. I have only setup
a SM-50 as a user radio.
Steve
On
9/24/2015 10:05 AM,
Skyler F wrote:
Well
my personal
experience with a
baofeng node is
really good audio
reports, and
sometimes better
than my motorola
SM-50
discriminator
audio. I just use
the internal tone
decoder in those
baofeng radios for
COR.
Would
they not be
suitable for
DSTAR though?
On
Thu, Sep 24,
2015 at 7:41 AM,
Steve Zingman
<>
wrote:
On 9/24/2015
9:30 AM,
Skyler Fennell
wrote:
Can I have an explanation of why
discriminator
is needed for
anything but
actual digital
modulation
like 9600
baud?
To prevent PL
tones?
Nope, when
plugging in
good headsets
I can hear the
CTCSS tone
from the
repeater and
even on the
baofeng.
Lack of high
frequency
noise?
Put a high
pass filter
Someone please
explain why
discrim is
needed. Good
audio is good
audio and
can’t it be
manipulated to
fit the needs
of the
application?
Maybe
I don’t want
other filters
inline, I want
total control
of the receive
audio.
de-emphases
CTCSS
filtering etc.
If worried about audio levels, put an AlC
which
automatically
feeds the
system
(weather
Allstar or
free star)
with the
perfect level
independent of
the level of
the user.
Please note
I’m only
talking
analog.
73
Skyler KD0WHB
On
Sep 24, 2015,
at 7:15 AM,
Steve Zingman
<>
wrote:
Being a DSP
based radio,
the BF888 is a
cheap low
power analog
only RF
package. Given
the lack of
discriminator
and modulator
access it is
limited.
For a receiver
the Maxtrac /
Radius / GM300
work well. For
a transmitter
not so much.
Heat output
and with the
Maxtrac,
problems with
power and
deviation
control out of
band can cause
problems
without custom
firmware or
hardware
hacks.
My absolute
favorite RF
gear for
Analog /
Digital
repeaters is
Tait. The T800
series is a
purpose built
programmable
Exciter /
Receiver
package. With
access to all
the signals
anyone would
want. I
started using
them for 927
MHz repeaters
and have had
great
performance on
UHF and VHF.
Mix and match
at will. Pair
a VHF receiver
with a UHF or
900 MHz
transmitter
for a nice RF
linked
receiver site.
For link
radios simplex
nodes and “Hot
Spots” I’ve
come to favor
the Tait T2000
mobiles. They
are easy to
program, well
documented,
lots of IO and
run cool in
transmit.
The above is
not to say
there are not
a LOT of great
repeater /
node packages
out there. The
GE MASTR II
comes to mind.
I have to
mention the
Micor to keep
the flack
down. I’ve
built
repeaters
using
everything
from a
Motorola 30D
to current
equipment.
Your mileage
may vary.
73, Steve
N4IRS
– ,
(o o)
-----ooO-(_)-Ooo------
— N4IRS was
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I've built repeaters using everything from a Motorola 30D to current equipment.
I’ve built repeaters using everything from a Motorola 30D to current equipment.