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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
VK3BA Rating: 2010-08-14
Ripper of a deivce Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Purchased from HRO Atlanta via Mark KJ4VO in April. It was easy to install, easy to use and is an excellent solution to access to the D-Star world, especially if you don't have any existing RF access to repeaters. It's different but same as the DV-Dongle. With the DV-Dongle, you're tethered to your PC. But with the DVAP, you can roam around with your mobile or portable radio to access your DVAP and the greater D-Star system. This little red box operates on 2metres. I reccommend to to any D-Star user who wants better and more flexible access to the system and who wishes to get more out of their D-Star hobby. I hope there's a 70cm version coming soon!! Plenty of these are in use in Australia.
VE7TKO Rating: 2010-07-29
The best thing since sliced bread. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased my Digital Voice Access Point (DVAP) Dongle from HRO in Oregon while I was on my holidays in June 2010. This thing was up and running with a minimal amount of effort. Other family members were often complaining about my ham radio interfering with their TV programs. The low power output of the DVAP Dongle will not interfere with TV reception. My HT will not heat up, because I use the lowest power setting. My ICOM IC-80AD can be used for a much longer period on a single charge.

The thing that I like the best is that I don’t have to tie up the locale repeater to talk to friends around the world. I spend a lot of time listening to REF017-A and am relearning my Dutch language skills. I came to Canada at the age of 5 years in 1952 and have never been back for a visit. I plan to make my first return visit after my wife retires in August 2011.

This is nice to take with you when you go on vacation. You can have your own “Mini Repeater” right there in your motel room. I have my HT programmed to access the 3 locale D-Star repeaters and all the reflectors from wherever I travel. This device will become part of my “Grab and Go Kit”. It could be very useful for linking through to a central control station.

This device proves that D-Star is not an “ICOM only” system. The other radio manufactures should invest some money and get on the D-Star bandwagon. I thank INet Labs for bringing us this new device and helping to bring more life into a most interesting hobby. On a scale of 1 to 5 I would give this thing a 10 if it were at all possible.
DL6EAT Rating: 2010-07-26
Simple a "MUST HAVE!" Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Folks,

To make it short - once you get up and started with D-Star you may already be totally convinced or disappointed - depending if you're living within the range of any D-Star-repeater or not. Well, as you can imagine I live in north Germany. Not much of activities here, but at least you can use D-Star via repeaters (not reflectors). I'm travelling a lot and especially in the US it's all the time big fun. Well for those of you living in Europe, I can't tell you if the DVAP-Dongle is already available there (I'm guessing not). Order and purchase it in the US...I bought mine at HRO in Atlanta.

Anyhow, you need this toy! Setting this up is fast and easy. All you need to knwo is what you already know - how to use your Icom-rig!
It's similar to the DV-dongle but also sets up your local mini-repeater for your house including your garden. The world of D-Star is now in your hand even when no repeater is even close! I'm right now on the Outer Banks in North Carolina and couldn't fins any local repeater - including any FM! Even my GSM-cellphone is out of order here...the ideal place to relax!

I got the DVAP and started this up - my netbook is connected to the internet via WiFi of our hotel. Seconds later I joined Ref001C here in the US...I could return to the pool and listened to my US-friends in our neighbour-states. Lots of traffic on this reflector and all transmitted (forwarded) to my IC-92AD via the DVAP while I enjoy the beauty of Ocracoke along the pool.

Not much to add - order this asap and our hobby is newly defined. Some may complain that the most of it is based on an internet connection - which is true. But let's face it: This is our today's world! It is still very impessive to sit in the sun and dial through a worldwide list of repeaters and reflectors to get connected where ever you want. And again - you all programm it from your portable device (in my case the IC-92AD). The DVAP sits remote and does it all. If the 250 US$ don't kill you, you will probably find this well worth it after using it.
I am a HAM-radio operator since 1978 - most of my time I did HF with big guns - this is the opposite - at least right now it's even more fun! Check it out and let me know if I'm right.
See you on D-Star!

Andreas, DL6EAT (currently on Ocracoke, NC - US)
N2VU Rating: 2010-07-17
Get it - it's GREAT! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got my DVAP and IC-92AD this week and I’m obsessed. I’ve been a HAM for over 20 years and with this combination the hobby is new again. I’m loving this. I’m in upstate New York where there is NOTHING D-Star. With this DVAP I’m as connected as any other D-Star user, albeit only within range of the Dongle but I have access to the new world of D-Star. I’ll be creating a Hot-Spot soon to extend that range a bit but this Dongle is simple and it works.

BTW, I replaced the stock antenna with one of those super flexible higher gain HT antennas and I believe its extended the range somewhat. I can get as far as 1000 from the house before the signal drops off—and remember, this Dongle only puts out 10 milliwatts!! Yet its like having a micro repeater. Bottom line—ITS GREAT!!
WX4JCW Rating: 2010-06-01
Awesome communications tool Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got mine from HRO and have been on ever since
KB3Z Rating: 2010-04-29
DVAP Is A Miracle! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just received mine yesterday from HRO. All you need to do is connect the USB cable to the DVAP and the other end to your USB port on your computer. Using Vista 64 was no problem at all. It found the hardware and installed all the necessary files to get it operational. You download DVAP.exe and away you go. I was already registered on a gateway so that was one process I didn't need to worry about. I will be anxious to see how far outside I can go and still make connection with it. This unit is a dream come true!
W1KJL Rating: 2010-04-26
Simply awesome! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this because there are only 6 D-Star repeaters here in MA and I can't hit any of them with my 92AD. This device has been my door into the world of D-Star. Since I am a linux sysadmin by trade, it was only natural to plug this into a linux box. I decided I would try the Ubuntu 10.04 desktop beta and installed that on a spare PC in the basement. I plugged the USB cable into the PC and fired up the DVAP tools software. The linux kernel loaded the driver automatically since it's built in as a module. The software started right up and recognized the device. All I had to do was enter my callsign and simplex frequency should I choose not to use the 146.550 default. From there I put the dongle on the top of the rack by the basement window. Even with this thing in the basement transmitting at 10 milliwats, I can use this device all through the house and even around the immediate neighborhood. One thing to remember is keep the power on your HT or mobile as low as possible, so you won't de-sense the dongle. I set my 92AD to 100 milliwats which works fine. The DVAP has worked flawlessly and I have gotten nothing but great reports using it. If you're not near a D-Star repeater, definitely pick one up, it's worth every penny and extremely easy to setup.
PA3ANG Rating: 2010-04-09
DVAP reaches the Netherlands Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
An awesome tool to use and demo D-Star.

I was already using the Sathosi Node adapter with the Hotspot software from W9ARP, but this gadget is so much more fun. You do not need an extra analoge transceiver, cables and power supply to get your own (private) local access point.

I'm demo-ing D-Star throughout the Netherlands and this DVAP makes me very portable. Just connect the DVAP run the software and establish a connection to the Internet by UMTS of WiFi.

Thanks to Robin for this perfect product. It will definitely boost D-Star and absolute D-Star compatible. (better then the blue dongle)

W4ENC Rating: 2010-04-02
MUCH better than advertised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
EXCELLENT! The ease of operation is rediculous! So simple to use and the DV tool software is simple and easy. This thing made all of my D-Star radios come alive. It says the range is 300ft- on the stock antenna maybe but and a little better antenna and 2000ft would be very conservative. I do not live in range of a gateway system so this is the ticket! Good to know that it is designed and made in the USA (Atlanta) Customer support is excellent, a yahoo group and Robin AA4RC is VERY quick to answer any questions. If you want D-Star access this is HIGHLY recommended!!!!!! (For the newbies-You need a D-Star radio also for it to work)
N4YAV Rating: 2010-03-29
Great D-star tool! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Released in February to the public, I received my DVAP Dongle off backorder just last week. Since then, I have used it around my home, in mobile applications and remotely. As long as I have internet connectivity, I am on the D-star network! It's Great!

So far, I have exceeded the stated 300 ft. radius suggested by InternetLabs as the working distance from the unit with the supplied miniature antenna. Next will be some tests with an external antenna. My shack is at about 850 ft. above sea level so I am interested in what range may be obtained.

To sum it up, if you operate on D-star, you must have one of these in your accessory kit. This will also be an invaluable tool if you or your club/group assist with Emcomm or EOC operations. Setup of the software is as simple as it gets. No computer science degree necessary. Program your HT or other rig to talk to the DVAP and you're on the air, just like that.

I would highly recommend it!