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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
N4UED Rating: 2013-01-09
2M DVAP Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have used the DVAP since Sept.2012 .
I started out with the stubby antenna . It does well around the house with the 92ad on slo power .
I next connected it to a copper j-pole hidden behind the curtain on the 1st floor of our home .
This provided increased coverage .
I tryed it with my diamond ant at 40 ft . This works best of all . I have taken my laptop , dvap and 92 to other hams homes to demonstrate d-star . This is a good educational tool for hams introducing school children to ham radio . Take it into the class room and they are talking to others around the world . I purchased this first because I had never heard of a hotspot . Even though my hotspot is my choice around town , I am not selling the dvap . It is just to simple to use . See you on REF 001 C . Chuck N4UED
ZL2UFI Rating: 2012-12-21
Great addition for D-STAR users... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I live in the capital city of New Zealand, and my local club was gifted an ICOM ID-RP4000V UHF Repeater and the ID-RP2C Gateway.
Initially this was run as a standalone D-STAR system. An ID-RP2000V VHF repeater was added a short time later. While the club
was working out how to get the internet to the remote site I brought the VHF DVAP. I used this time to get the jump on the other
D-STAR users so that when the Internet Gateway was installed I would know all about linking and unlinking from the D-STAR network.

As with many other users of D-STAR most of my initial problems where with the registration process. Once I had this sorted all was OK.

I have found that the support area is one of the big advantages of this device - Robin Cutshaw AA4RC really goes the extra mile for people.
He fully supports his products and makes all the difference when you get stuck.

I have disconnected the included stubby antenna and connected to my tri-band vertical. I can now use the DVAP from at least a
mile away from home (1.6 kms). I can easily walk around my house and yard without issue, the range is great. All this means I can run
my IC-92AD or ID-31A on super low power of 100 mw's thereby having plenty of talk time from the batteries of the handheld.

If you are thinking of whether these are any good or not, they are... its that simple. I have used them in the USA, Australia and New Zealand,
even from public WiFi connections, so you are never out of service so to speak.

As a test, I did this... DVAP to my netbook via USB. Netbook to my iPhone 4s via bluetooth to the internet. ICOM ID-880H to the
DVAP while mobile to Reflector 001, channel C. Lots of RF there, and it works! In New Zealand there are very little D-STAR repeaters,
so having a DVAP is a must until the holes are filled (may take many years!).

Never missed a beat - 5 out of 5 for me!

I have since brought the UHF DVAP to go with my ID-31A - I had to wait for Robin to update the software so I could remain compliant
on 430-440 MHz down here in ZL, as it initially only transmitted on 440-450 MHz. After the software was updated it now transmits on
421-450 MHz. As a work around I used WinDV but quickly returned to the DVAP Tool after the update. I have loaned out my
DVAP's to other users and all of them have since brought or are about to buy one. These are just great add ons to any D-STAR RF
user regardless if you have a D-STAR repeater close by or not.

I have owned the UHF DVAP since October 2012.


G7IDJ Rating: 2012-10-11
Problem Solved Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hi Again,

A few days ago I wrote a bad report about DVAP due to the problems I had getting registered on the DStar system.
In the end I complained and begged for help at:
www.d-staruk.co.uk
Which I think but I am not sure is a website run by Icom. Anyway within a day I got registered and I could start using my equipment.

Now the DVAP other than the initial installation problem with the missing DLL was no problem at all. Once it fired up and the radio was fed with the correct settings I could access some Reflectors and repeaters which I programmed it for.
Interestingly I couldn't hit remote repeaters via an internet gateway using the local repeater.
So if you want to work internationally and you have none or just a flaky DStar repeater in the neighbourhood DVAP would most certainly be the answer for you.

I like the ability to drop the power down from 10mW to even 1mW to limit the range possibly just to your property.
In some strange way the DVAP in conjunction with your handheld or mobile does feel like real radio.
I can confirm that the range seems to be 100m without a problem. I have also noticed that the antenna supplied is not resonant. So kitting it out with a resonant antenna I am sure would improve the performance significantly.

The main point is - I got my registration problem sorted. You may find this a challenge as well if you just get into DStar.
If you live in the UK you have now got a website where people actually respond and are willing to help you.

In summary:
DVAP ideal device if you want your own mini gateway or defacto repeater to connect to nodes throughout the world. Simple to operate once the software is installed.

Registration is a problem but persevere. Once you are on the system you will enjoy it.

The world of DStar is still a bit of a mystery to me and there is steep learning curve but it is worthwhile I think.

If you can, go for it!

Michael
G7IDJ/DL6MS

W3NRL Rating: 2012-09-28
dvap 70 (440) Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
my wish came true:::::
The device’s 10 mW signal on the UHF 70cM 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.

Internet Labs
DV-AP 440
440 ONLY DV ACCESS POINT FOR D-STAR RADIOS

HRO Discount Price: $269.95

can't wait to get one..

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by W3NRL on 2012-09-27

I agree with the previous hammer it sounds great but i like to use my 31a as well
KQ4KK Rating: 2012-09-27
UHF DVAP coming Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The VHF DVAP is great. The UHF DVAP starts delivery on Oct 1, 2012. HRO is taking orders now for the UHF version.
KA9JYO Rating: 2012-06-15
great device Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Everything is good, except I would like a unit with UHF, so I can use my Icom ID-31A. Maybe Robin Cutshaw AA4RC will get this message, I know many hams agree.
W6PSA Rating: 2012-01-29
DVAP is great! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have been using the dvap on D-Star for a month now and it works great! I live in a area without D-Star and it work flawlessly. I am using a cable modem and D-Star DUTCH software to run the radio. Google, or ask some hams about, Dutch software.

On the radio, make sure you are using the 2nd VFO and select DV Mode(Digital). FM is the default mode on the radios.
W2UIS Rating: 2011-12-31
WOW! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Using this device with my Icom ID-880H, MacBook Pro and DSL Internet service. I'm working world wide DX via the internet without the need to being in the foot print of a D Star repeater.
KI4EKI Rating: 2011-03-21
Dongle UNPLUGED! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Inet has got a winner here.

Took no time to setup, Worked and tested in both
windows and linux (Ubuntu) Worked like a charm!

ONE POINT TO MAKE- Then i'll get off my soapbox

It would be a crime IF the open source community
and inet did not follow through with this item!

One little windows program i saw (For Testing)
called "DvapFM.Exe" put said device into analog
mode and does a very nice job of testing said
device (Loop-back/Xmit & Receive testing)
but the program does show what could be
done with this either way- Analog or Digital!

Yet another was a Java App for just the same thing
only in d-star mode, and yet theres more!

One last note; it would be my hope- along with
others i've talked with that inet would come out
with a dualband and or a 100mW version

Also a repeater option would be nice for linking
on the fly.

[Soapbox mode:Off]

Once again a Buy or not Cry option for the D-Star
users!!

-Richard Rivenbark
-Randin Confed Radio Group (KI4EKI)
KF9L Rating: 2010-10-21
Couldn't be better Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is the most amazing piece of equipment to come my way. I was scepticale at first, but i took the plunge and got the DVAP and if i seen this work like it does for me when it first came out i would have bought the first one off the line. It is easily setup within minutes and works great even on DSL internet, but i use it most on broadband cable and mobile 3G broadband. I give this the highest rating you could give for this product. You wont be dissappointed with the results you get. It would be nice to see a dualband version of this product come out to give you the option to use both 2 meters and 440 frequencies through the DVAP.