Icom ID-1 and D-Star DD mode
I have been interested in combining my knowledge of computer network and ham radio.
I acquired 2 ICOM ID-1 23cm FM/D-Star transceivers in 2017 from eBay. It was not cheap even for used ones.
Back then, Icom ID-1 was the only D-Star DD mode capable transceiver. DD mode allows TCP/IP communication via 1.2GHz radio wave.
This year, Icom started selling IC-9700 which is V/UHF FM/D-Star radio in addition to 23cm coverage.
According to D-Star repeater lists, only 23cm D-Star repeater in NYC area is K2DIG.
I wanted to set up ID-1 to try out DD mode using K2DIG repeater to get a lightening fast (!)128kbps internet. I wanted to know the assigned IP address from D-Star admin server.
I contacted NJ2DG which I registered my call sign with.
They replied with the required info but they told me that K2DIG has been down for a while and 23cm repeater was down longer than that.
I tried to connect to NJ2DG from my apartment but it was unsuccessful.
In case anyone in Queens, NY area wanted to do DD mode with your new IC-9700, you are out of luck.
So I am left with 2 Icom ID-1's with no repeater to connect to.
Then, I thought about building my own DD mode repeater and did some research.
Here is my findings.
You need to purchase expensive repeater equipment.
Cost is prohibitively expensive, $2500 for 128kbps internet???You need at least these 2 repeater modules.
1. ID-RP 2C
Repeater Controller
2. ID-RP 2D
23cm (1.2 GHz) Data Module, access point with a data rate of 128kbps
3. Callsign: Separate call sign from your usual one is needed
How can a regular ham operator get two callsigns?
4. You need a descent PC, which is running 24/7
5. Global static IP
I am very disappointed. What would be the incentive for anybody to build D-Star DD mode repeaters? It costs time and money to build and to maintain repeater system and very few people use it.
Unless ICOM makes it more affordable to build repeaters or increase the net speed, this DD mode itself is in danger of extinction. Or, may be it is already.....
I acquired 2 ICOM ID-1 23cm FM/D-Star transceivers in 2017 from eBay. It was not cheap even for used ones.
Back then, Icom ID-1 was the only D-Star DD mode capable transceiver. DD mode allows TCP/IP communication via 1.2GHz radio wave.
This year, Icom started selling IC-9700 which is V/UHF FM/D-Star radio in addition to 23cm coverage.
According to D-Star repeater lists, only 23cm D-Star repeater in NYC area is K2DIG.
I wanted to set up ID-1 to try out DD mode using K2DIG repeater to get a lightening fast (!)128kbps internet. I wanted to know the assigned IP address from D-Star admin server.
I contacted NJ2DG which I registered my call sign with.
They replied with the required info but they told me that K2DIG has been down for a while and 23cm repeater was down longer than that.
I tried to connect to NJ2DG from my apartment but it was unsuccessful.
In case anyone in Queens, NY area wanted to do DD mode with your new IC-9700, you are out of luck.
So I am left with 2 Icom ID-1's with no repeater to connect to.
Then, I thought about building my own DD mode repeater and did some research.
Here is my findings.
You need to purchase expensive repeater equipment.
Cost is prohibitively expensive, $2500 for 128kbps internet???You need at least these 2 repeater modules.
1. ID-RP 2C
Repeater Controller
2. ID-RP 2D
23cm (1.2 GHz) Data Module, access point with a data rate of 128kbps
3. Callsign: Separate call sign from your usual one is needed
How can a regular ham operator get two callsigns?
4. You need a descent PC, which is running 24/7
5. Global static IP
I am very disappointed. What would be the incentive for anybody to build D-Star DD mode repeaters? It costs time and money to build and to maintain repeater system and very few people use it.
Unless ICOM makes it more affordable to build repeaters or increase the net speed, this DD mode itself is in danger of extinction. Or, may be it is already.....
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