D-Star and Sound Card

[WI9NDY]

Can you use a computer and sound card to operate D-Star? Since it can be used on 2-meters I would think that the audio bandwith limits would allow for sound card demodulation. Anyone try this and know if there is any software available?

[KG4RUL]

In a word, no.

[KO1D]

Since the modulation is GMSK and it requires a special CODEC and chip set no one has developed a sound card application yet. But as most people tell me, you are welcome to whip it up so the rest of us can explore it. HI HI

[K0JEG]

GNU radio (http://www.gnuradio.org) has a GMSK module available. However, D-star uses a vocoder chip called the AMBE-2020 (http://www.dvsinc.com) that digital voice systems has clearly said is not going to be made available in a software format, nor will it license the technology to other companies. That alone is reason enough to cross D* off my list. The other major downer is that the data transport is ATM, which is only really useful for voice (and interfacing with the legacy switched phone service) without having a lot of nearly empty packets and extra headers.

The other thing is that we've only seen Icom radios and repeaters.

Personally, I like the idea of using GMSK modulation with Ethernet framing. Easy to implement for homebrewers, standards based (using open source vocoders), and more ham-friendly than spread spectrum. Once I get a few bucks saved up, I'm going to start messing around with it.

[K5YF]

I realize this is an old thread but....

d-star is an open platform, as it must be to comply with part 97, and anyone can build their own equipment to utilize the JARL codec.

the ambe2020 is a vocoder chip that will do the encode/decode of the JARL codec in hardware. It is available to anyone who cares to purchase it.

You may make your own software, vocoder chip, etc. Here is a quote from http://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/dstar/dstar8.asp

"...any manufacturer or amateur can use the JARL standards to create equipment – transceivers, repeaters, and gateways – compatible with the D-STAR system."

[K5MBV]

It seems like the best use of D Star is to make Icom
more money. It doesn't seem have anything more unique than being just another mode.

At this point I expect those who have invested momey
in it to flame my opinion. Which is after all, just my
opinion.

Ken  K5MBV