Week 7 – Configure DSTAR Mode

First we’ll go turn on the DSTAR digital mode and configure it.

1. Start by going to your PiStar dashboard in your web browser.
2. After logging into your dashboard, click on the “Configure” tab.
3. Next we’ll turn on DSTAR in the MMDVMHost Configuration.
4. Notice that I also set the RF Hangtime and Net Hangtime to 5 seconds. The hangtime is the amount of time the MMDVM will stay in that mode before allowing other digital mode signals a chance to reach the repeater. RF Hangtime is the amount of time the MMDVM waits after the end of an incoming RF (Radio Frequency) signal. Net Hangtime is the amount of time the MMDVM waits after the end of an incoming network transmission from a distant station.
5. Click “Apply Changes.”
6. After the changes are applied, scroll down and you will see a new configuration box named “DSTAR Configuration.” The defaults will look like this:
7. Here are my settings for DSTAR and I’ll explain them after the photo.

Explanation of Settings

1. RPT1 Callsign – This is the callsign of the node or repeater with its module letter. B = 70CM / C = 2M
2. RPT2 Callsign – This is the callsign of the gateway, which in our case will be the same as the repeater, but instead of module “B” it will be “G” for “Gateway.”
3. Remote Password – This is the password used by the ircDDBRemote application as well as the command-line Remote Control application.
4. Default Reflector – This is the default reflector that the repeater will connect to. A reflector is like a group chat or conference server for many repeaters to connect to. Note that this can be set to “Startup” or “Manual.” I chose “Manual” because I do not want my repeater to automatically connect to a reflector when the repeater turns on.
5. APRS HOST – APRS stands for Amateur Packet Reporting System and allows data like GPS coordinates, altitude, speed, etc to be reported to other amateurs. This data can be viewed online at a few sites like https://aprs.fi the “rotate” APRS Host is a round robin server according to http://www.aprs-is.net/aprsservers.aspx
6. ircDDBGateway Language – Select your language and country code if applicable. I selected “english_(US).”
7. Time Announcements – If turned on, the hotspot/repeater will announce the time every hour.
8. Use DPLUS for XRF – I don’t use XRF reflectors, so I left it turned off, but this would allow you to use the DPLUS protocol to connect to XRF Reflectors.

Later this week, I’ll discuss programming your DSTAR radio as well as enabling DMR. I’ll also be adding a Nextion Display to this project and attempting to create my own Nextion Display layout in the Nextion Editor Software.