DStar Commander FAQ
Aug 20, 2014 23:20:06 GMT -7
Post by W6KD on Aug 20, 2014 23:20:06 GMT -7
Here are some frequently asked questions about the DStar Commander enhanced G4KLX image:
1. Q: How big an SD card is needed to fit the image?
A: 8GB or larger. Some 4GB cards will work, some will not due to minor size variances between cards. Use of a Class 10 card is recommended--boots go MUCH faster with the faster SD cards. That said, Class 4 cards do work. It's also not a bad idea to keep a spare card programmed and at the ready...RasPis do tend to corrupt SD cards much more than other devices.
2. Q: How big is the download?
A: Approximately 1.25 GB for each file (one for DVAP, one for dvMega).
3. Q: Where are the files?
A: Here: w6kd.boards.net/thread/2/dstar-commander-public-release-download
4. Q: Does this work with the new Raspberry Pi Model 3B ?
A: Yes. The latest version is compatible with the Raspberry Pi models B, B+, 2B, 3B and Zero/Zero W(ireless). The dvMega version of the image has the onboard wifi/bluetooth on the Pi 3 disabled so the hardware UART can be remapped to the original GPIO pin used by the mega.
5. Q: Does this solve the PTT lockup problems experienced with the VHF DVAP and the G4KLX software?
A: No, unfortunately not. The PTT lockup problem (experienced on occasion when receiving a poor quality data stream with high bit error rates) is still present when using a VHF DVAP with this image (and EVERY other image based on the G4KLX suite). The UHF DVAPs have a newer firmware version and do not exhibit the problem, nor do the dvMega devices.
6. Q: Is DTMF (dial tone keypad) control of linking and unlinking operations possible with this image?
A: Yes, absolutely. It's one of the high points of the G4KLX suite.
7. Q: What are the default ircddbgateway settings when using the automated setups?
A: DPlus, DPRS (GPS-position reporting), and DCS are enabled. CCS, ircddb, and DExtra are disabled. Note that having DExtra disabled does NOT prevent you from accessing the XReflectors. You can go back in via the standard GUI menus and enable any of the disabled options after the setup is completed.
8. Q: What kind of WiFi connections are supported by the interactive setup?
A: Most modern routers and cellular devices are supported--those using WPA2/RSN and the older WPA encryption, which probably covers over 90% of the routers produced in the last 10 years, and nearly all of the current gear. WEP is not supported by the automated setup--you can still use the Pi's WiFi GUI to set that kind of connection up, but you will lose the ability to take advantage of DStar Commander's radio-commanded switching between WiFi connections if you do not use the interactive setup.
9. Q: Do I need to do port forwarding or do edits on gateway host files to use XReflectors with this image?
A: No! The image is setup up for no-hassle access to the XReflectors--connecting to them is now as simple as connecting to any other reflector or repeater gateway. There is an included radio command that initiates an update of the hosts files from one of several internet servers, and which processes the hosts files in a way that preserves the no-hassle access to the XReflectors.
10. Q: How long does the initial auto-configuration take?
A: Depending on the speed of your micro SD/( full size SD on the original RPi B) card, possibly up to 5 minutes. The Pi may need to reboot once or twice before finishing the configuration. If you're watching on a monitor, it might look like nothing is happening at first because DStar Commander runs in the background.
11. Q: Will DStar Commander work with GMSK modems or the DVRPTR boards?
A: Yes, but you will need to do some additional configuration in addition to the automatic setup. Download and flash the dvMega version of the image, run the DStarConfig.exe utility on your PC to configure the image, and then boot the Pi with the image. Close the DStarRepeater program if it's running. You then need to run G4KLX' D-Star Config (icon at upper left corner of screen), select the Modem tab, and select the appropriate GMSK or DVRPTR modem type. Save the config, then reboot the Pi. The image should boot with the GMSK/DVRPTR modem running, and all the DStar Commander functionality intact. Note: the DStar Commander was not designed with these devices in mind, and since I do not have hands-on access to any of them here, I cannot troubleshoot problems encountered when running DStar Commander with these devices.
12. Q: Will DStar Commander work with the DV4Mini?
A: Nope, and no other G4KLX-based image will, either. The DV4M requires their proprietary software.
1. Q: How big an SD card is needed to fit the image?
A: 8GB or larger. Some 4GB cards will work, some will not due to minor size variances between cards. Use of a Class 10 card is recommended--boots go MUCH faster with the faster SD cards. That said, Class 4 cards do work. It's also not a bad idea to keep a spare card programmed and at the ready...RasPis do tend to corrupt SD cards much more than other devices.
2. Q: How big is the download?
A: Approximately 1.25 GB for each file (one for DVAP, one for dvMega).
3. Q: Where are the files?
A: Here: w6kd.boards.net/thread/2/dstar-commander-public-release-download
4. Q: Does this work with the new Raspberry Pi Model 3B ?
A: Yes. The latest version is compatible with the Raspberry Pi models B, B+, 2B, 3B and Zero/Zero W(ireless). The dvMega version of the image has the onboard wifi/bluetooth on the Pi 3 disabled so the hardware UART can be remapped to the original GPIO pin used by the mega.
5. Q: Does this solve the PTT lockup problems experienced with the VHF DVAP and the G4KLX software?
A: No, unfortunately not. The PTT lockup problem (experienced on occasion when receiving a poor quality data stream with high bit error rates) is still present when using a VHF DVAP with this image (and EVERY other image based on the G4KLX suite). The UHF DVAPs have a newer firmware version and do not exhibit the problem, nor do the dvMega devices.
6. Q: Is DTMF (dial tone keypad) control of linking and unlinking operations possible with this image?
A: Yes, absolutely. It's one of the high points of the G4KLX suite.
7. Q: What are the default ircddbgateway settings when using the automated setups?
A: DPlus, DPRS (GPS-position reporting), and DCS are enabled. CCS, ircddb, and DExtra are disabled. Note that having DExtra disabled does NOT prevent you from accessing the XReflectors. You can go back in via the standard GUI menus and enable any of the disabled options after the setup is completed.
8. Q: What kind of WiFi connections are supported by the interactive setup?
A: Most modern routers and cellular devices are supported--those using WPA2/RSN and the older WPA encryption, which probably covers over 90% of the routers produced in the last 10 years, and nearly all of the current gear. WEP is not supported by the automated setup--you can still use the Pi's WiFi GUI to set that kind of connection up, but you will lose the ability to take advantage of DStar Commander's radio-commanded switching between WiFi connections if you do not use the interactive setup.
9. Q: Do I need to do port forwarding or do edits on gateway host files to use XReflectors with this image?
A: No! The image is setup up for no-hassle access to the XReflectors--connecting to them is now as simple as connecting to any other reflector or repeater gateway. There is an included radio command that initiates an update of the hosts files from one of several internet servers, and which processes the hosts files in a way that preserves the no-hassle access to the XReflectors.
10. Q: How long does the initial auto-configuration take?
A: Depending on the speed of your micro SD/( full size SD on the original RPi B) card, possibly up to 5 minutes. The Pi may need to reboot once or twice before finishing the configuration. If you're watching on a monitor, it might look like nothing is happening at first because DStar Commander runs in the background.
11. Q: Will DStar Commander work with GMSK modems or the DVRPTR boards?
A: Yes, but you will need to do some additional configuration in addition to the automatic setup. Download and flash the dvMega version of the image, run the DStarConfig.exe utility on your PC to configure the image, and then boot the Pi with the image. Close the DStarRepeater program if it's running. You then need to run G4KLX' D-Star Config (icon at upper left corner of screen), select the Modem tab, and select the appropriate GMSK or DVRPTR modem type. Save the config, then reboot the Pi. The image should boot with the GMSK/DVRPTR modem running, and all the DStar Commander functionality intact. Note: the DStar Commander was not designed with these devices in mind, and since I do not have hands-on access to any of them here, I cannot troubleshoot problems encountered when running DStar Commander with these devices.
12. Q: Will DStar Commander work with the DV4Mini?
A: Nope, and no other G4KLX-based image will, either. The DV4M requires their proprietary software.