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Reviews For: Digital Voice Access Point (DVAP) Dongle

Category: Interfaces, Radio to computer, amp, rotor, coax switch, internet

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Review Summary For : Digital Voice Access Point (DVAP) Dongle
Reviews: 30MSRP: 249.00
Description:
The DVAP, produced by INet Labs who brought you the DV Dongle, is similar to many of the homebrew D-STAR Hotspots. The device is used for simplex operations, but it does connect to the gateway. The DVAP plugs into your Windows or MAC OS X computers via the computer's USB port and uses the internet connection to communicate with the D-STAR gateway. The DVAP has a very low-power signal at only about 10 mW. It’s similar to the functionality of a simplex Echolink link node. The device’s 10 mW signal on the 2-meter band is intended to reach only a few hundred feet, but it allows you to use your D-STAR HT away from the computer around your house or around your neighborhood at low power.
Product is in production
More Info: http://dvapdongle.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00304.9
AB9ZD Rating: 2019-01-06
Great D-STAR Access Point Time Owned: more than 12 months.
We moved to an area without a D-STAR repeater so I bought this along with a first generation Raspberry Pi so I could still use D-STAR. It has worked flawlessly for about six years. I recently replaced the RPi with a model 3 and switched to the latest software. It is still working fine. Not the most versatile digital access point available but gets the job done if you just want to do D-STAR.
G4AON Rating: 2018-04-06
Solid performer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Being only D-Star, these dongles may seem poor compared to more recent multi-mode devices. However they work very reliably in conjunction with a Raspberry Pi running Pi-Star software, for a low power solution. Mine was a second hand one, I’m not sure I would buy a new one given the high price compared to alternatives.

The RF power output can be adjusted from below -10dBm (100uW) to +10dBm (10mW), which can reduce QRM to neighbouring fellow hams. The supplied stubby antenna provides more than adequate coverage in a small house.
N1MXB Rating: 2018-01-10
Excellent/dependeble Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own a DVAP, DIVI MINI and an openspot. I work fusion, d-start and DMR. D-star is the strongest and more reliable with the best infrastructure. The DVAP is by far the best device because it works all the time, the others will not. I like the openspot multiple capabilities but the server is not available frecuently and they do firmware updates weekly which is a pain.
W5PDQ Rating: 2018-01-09
Compare the Features & Capability before you buy Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I’m very disappointed with this DV Access Point Dongle; I take the blame for not doing my research about the capability of this product. For the money, I should have purchased the OpenSpot by SharkRF which additionally supports XRF/DExtra, XLX and more.
This is a lesson learned that will hang with me for making a hasty purchase, although I’ll get over it soon after I purchase the OpenSpot by SharkRF which has far more support features.
N3CAL Rating: 2014-06-12
Fantastic Device! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This device is amazing! I have the 440 mhz version coupled with a Raspberry Pi running Linux. I replaced the dummy load stubby antenna with a external Slim Jim antenna and I now can walk around my entire neigborhood, (1.5 mile radius) and work the world on my Icom-ID31a HT. I also use this setup in the mobile (ICOM ID-5100A) with my 4G android phone. Theres no need for a repeater. It doesn't draw much power and has been a solid performer. If you want to get into DSTAR I highly reccomend this.
VE6EFR Rating: 2014-03-28
If you have a DSTAR radio, you need one of these Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am very pleased with the 70 cm DVAP that I use with an Icom 31A.

While there are several repeaters in the Edmonton area I really don't like the idea of linking a repeater to a reflector which would then keep someone else from being able to use the repeater for something that they want to do. Or worse, I link to a reflector and a few minutes later someone else comes along, unlinks the repeater and then links it to a reflector that I have no interest in listening to.

The DVAP is exactly what the doctor ordered. I can link anywhere I want to go and not have to worry about other users getting frustrated. Plus I can take it with me when I travel and not have to wonder if I will have a gateway nearby for me to access.

The software that AA4RC provides does a great job with getting you connected. While there are other options available such as DV Node (also known as WinDV), the creator of that software package is not very responsive to customers. I have let him know that there was an issue with using his software with both the DV Dongle and DVAP however other than him asking a question about what hardware I am using he has yet to reply to any of my email. So I suggest staying with the DVAPTool software and you will be very happy with your purchase.
M0TXP Rating: 2014-01-03
very usefull Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After buying a second hand icom ic e91 cheaply, i had to do something as i could only hit one dstar repeater with 5watts
This was with the HT connected to my diamond x300n colinear on a 10ft pole on the roof
With the money i got off everyone for xmas i thought i would buy a dvap instead of the blue dongle as i have the icom ic 91 anyway
Now i have the 2m version dvap running with the dutchstar software (win dv) and can access all the repeaters and reflectors worldwide while i sit on the sofa with a cup of tea
Very easy to set up even for a dstar newb like me
If you cant get any repeaters in your area you really need one of these, i can walk round the house talking to people worldwide
Maybe a little expensive in the uk, but after using one it,s less expensive than a dstar mobile radio so works out cheaper
If you dont have a dstar radio then buy the blue dongle
Recommended, yes

Paddy 2E0TXP
K2KOH Rating: 2013-11-23
A must have Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The best part of this is that it works with a Mac. I have it in the bag with my MacBook pro, works flawlessly. I can now demo D Star at work. I know Windows is a standard, but I really wish there were more amateur "toys" that were Windows AND Mac compatible.
KA7QQV Rating: 2013-05-14
this is awesome Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
this is awesome I run the unit with my Raspberry Pi 35$ computer and Robins software
This beyond my Dreams no more tying up another computer

plug at work or home and start playing d-star
**** on my low power Icom 92 handheld all day long
KK9H Rating: 2013-03-18
Very clever device! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had heard about these units for a some time and I finally bought a 440 version last week. I have been absolutely delighted with it. Within the last six months I have taken two trips, one was to an area where no D-Star repeater existed and the other was to a locale where all the repeaters were permanently connected together to cover a huge geographical area. In each case I would have liked to have been able to talk to my D-Star friends back home, but with the wide area D-Star system I didn't really want to tie up such an enormous area with just my QSO. In each case I had access to WiFi and a DVAP would have been the perfect solution. My DVAP arrived this last weekend and I have been really enjoying using it with various reflectors and my local D-Star repeater while running my HT at its lowest power setting. It is truly a very clever device.