Communication Resources

Communications

The technology employed in transmitting messages.

Radio over Internet Protocol
Providing extended communication coverage via Internet, LAN and Wireless LAN

Technical Support

Specialized maintenance and encouragement contributing to success.

Network Readiness and Support – Communication and Computer Network Support for field ready operations.

Rapid Deployment Operations – When additional communication resources are needed the Rapid Deployment Operations can be activated. Presently services are available in Colorado and Kansas with nationwide support available on a 24 hour notice.

Technical Response Utility Communications (TRUC) – Mobile support for tower maintenance and power generation. (Under Development)

Technical Response Vehicle (TRV) – Mobile communication support mounted on a 4×4 Truck with “DC to Daylight” communication capabilities. (Under Development)

DARN SIMPLE

• WX Resource
  

  The New ALERTradio ERC | WXC  Site is operational.

  weather.alertradio.net

   

   

• Operational Status
  

  We are back online. We continue to need your support in order to remain online. The PBX and RF Gateway – Derby will be back as soon as we restore the large broadband pipe.

• Maxon SD170 Digital / Analog Platform
  

  

  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

• Digital Hot-Point
  
  

  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

• DICE
  

  Digital Intertie Communication Enhancement (DICE) is mobile communications package designed for interoperability between analog and digital networks as well as diverse communications systems. DICE will fit in with the Communications Transportable System (CoTS) concept for Rapid Deployment Operations (RaDeO).

• AADN
  

  Asterisk Analog Digital Network (AADN) – A project to present analog and digital concepts for interoperability. This network is being designed to handle PSTN (telephone), Internet phone (SIP and IAX2) and RF Gateway traffic.

  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 opens path to D-STAR
  

  With the continual need for flexibility in communications additional resources are being created that allow for greater interoperability between diverse systems.   Scott (KI4LKF) provides the following information regarding the development of the Dextra software packages for D-STAR:

  • 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.

• Forward-thinking Digital Imagining
  

  1) HSMM capabilities at least in the 70cm band and even in 1.25m band.

  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.

• Digital Voices
  

  Digital Voices – The Formats Presently Being Used in Public Safety and Amateur Radio

  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.”

  ---

  D-STAR is a Amateur Radio system which offers digital voice and data communication. It connects repeater sites over microwave links and the Internet and forms a wide area Amatuer Radio network.

  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.

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  MotoTRBO(tm) MotoTRBO is a product of Motorola with the primary market being Industrial-Business Sector. MotoTRBO is designed to operate digital only on a single 12.5kHz channel by slicing the digital transmissions into time slots thus creating to available channels via TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access).

  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).

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  NXDN was designed by Icom and Kenwood primarily for the Industrial-Business Sector.

  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.

• DARN SIMPLE
  

  

  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.

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