GB3KR

>70cm FM Repeater

 

GB7WF

 >DStar Digital Voice Repeater

 >Basic use & DPRS guide lines.

 >DStar Registration

 > ircDDB call sign routing now available on GB7WF

>Unused callsign registrations deleted after 12 months.

 

MIDSTAR (UK)

>D-Star in the Midlands

 

DStar Reflector Lists

>Locations and use

 

Sales/Wants

  >Place your ad’s here

 

 

GB7WF (MIDSTAR UK)

Voice & Low Speed DATA Repeater.

 

 

GB7WF   B              70cm Digital Voice Repeater (not Node)

Status:                      First Operational 8th March 2008

Location:                  Bewdley, North Worcestershire

Locator:                    IO82UJ

Channel:                   DVU39

                                     Output 439.4875MHz Input 430.4875MHz

Access:                    D-Star Protocol  (Port B)

Keeper:                    G8OXG

Transceiver:              Icom IDRP4000V

Controller:                 Icom ID-RP2C

Antenna:                   Single Co-linear

Internet connection: D-Star Network (enabled 28th April 2008).

 

 

 

  Click on image for larger scale map.

Auto GPS Beacons:

 

There is a valid reason that we request that you please DO NOT use Auto GPS beacons on the DStar network. Icom D-Star transceivers wait until the frequency is clear before transmitting Auto GPS Beacons. This sounds ideal, but if it collides with the next users data header it can stop their transmission from being passed through a repeater and the Gateway onto the network, and it can also block another users transmission on a distance reflector. If you follow the guide below then your position will be transmitted every time you call by pressing your PTT, so Auto Beacons are not required to plot your position on the APRS servers.

 

 

Using GB7WF

 

Callsign Registration.

 

To use the Gateway on GB7WF you will need to be registered on the D-Star network. Registration requests are only accepted from users within the RF coverage area of GB7WF.  If you are a local RF user of GB7WF and wish to register for Gateway use then you need to send your first and last name, callsign and a valid email address to admin@wfrg.net.   Each request is queried first via the email address given before the registration process is begun.  

 

* Valid email address only, we can no longer accept requests for registration from an AOL, Googlemail, GMAIL , YMAIL or YAHOO email address. *

Email address details are not passed on to any other party.

 

You only have to register your callsign once

If you wish to use a DV Dongle (D) or a DVAP/Hotspot modem (A) or use your call with the suffix M for mobile or P for portable then please add these requirements to your registration request.

 

Please note if you upgrade your licence and change your callsign then your new callsign will have to be registered to allow you to

link/unlink  & use ircDDB etc.

 

Unused callsign entries will be deleted after 12 months.

 

If you have registered via GB7WF and have only ever used a DV Dongle/DVAP/Hotspot etc you will need to validate your original registration every 12 months as the network does not record your callsign as an RF user.

 

To continue your registration with GB7WF please send your details every 12 months from 1st January 2012 to admin@wfrg.net

 

 

Using GB7WF

 

Transmit Timer is 3 minutes, please leave a gap of at least two seconds after the repeater id for the timer to reset.

 

Call sign settings to use with GB7WF,

 

YOUR: (UR) CQCQCQ

RPT1: GB7WF  B  (note the Port letter B must be at the end of the line in the 8th position)

RPT2: GB7WF  G  (note the G for Gateway must also be in the 8th position)

    MY: <your callsign>

 

If you receive the text message reply YOUR?:GB7WF  B/  from the repeater it means that your RPT2 setting is not set or incorrect, and your transmission will not be passed to the Gateway, so your call and linking/unlinking commands will be ignored.

 

The text message from the repeater   RPT?:GB7WF  G/    means your RPT2 is set correctly to use GB7WF’s Gateway and if the callsign you are using is registered then will be able to link & unlink the repeater Gateway.

 

Also very importantly there is a valid reason that we request that you please DO NOT use Auto GPS beacons through the repeater. Icom D-Star transceivers wait until the frequency is clear before transmitting Auto GPS Beacons. This sounds ideal, but if it collides with the next users data header it can stop their transmission from being passed through the repeater and the Gateway onto the network. Manually transmitted GPS information is welcome and if configured correctly will be sent to the APRS servers, see the section GB7WF Data & Tracking (setting up GPS) below.

 

IrcDDB

 

IrcDDB callsign routing is now available on GB7WF, click here to download the WFRG ircDDB user guide, and please send us feed back if you are using callsign routing via ircDDB on GB7WF.

 

GB7WF dplus Reflector Operation.

 

A very useful facility provided by Robin AA4RC is dplus Reflector System.

 

When installed on a DStar Repeater, this system allows users to connect to any dplus Reflector (Conference) or other dplus enabled Repeater directly anywhere on the D-Star network. 

 

TIP: When you link to a Reflector, WAIT for a short while as any QSO already taking place will not always be routed to GB7WF until the start of the next over. If you call CQ straight away without waiting your CQ will interrupt others already using the Reflector.

 

Click here to download the Wyre Forest Repeater Group dplus Reflector Guide.

 

MIDSTAR (UK)

 

GB7WF is now part of the MIDSTAR (UK) network covering the Midlands. Click here to download the MIDSTAR (UK) guide

 

 

GB7WF Data & Tracking (setting up GPS)

Click here to download a printer friendly version of this setup procedure

 

** DO NOT use Auto GPS beacons, see below **

 

GB7WF is more than just a voice repeater.  It also carries low speed data, which can be used for computer communications and APRS style tracking.

 

This section explains how to set up GPS TX MODE (DV-G), not GPS-A, so your position will be shown on other DStar transceivers & the APRS servers.

 

To set up your IC-E2820 & IC-E92D to use GPS (DPRS) mode you will need to create a checksum code to enter in the GPS message in the 2820 & the 92, this can be done by using the D-PRS Calculator created by Pete Lovell AE5PL.

 

The Checksum code is unique to the callsign & the APRS symbol that you select in the D-PRS Calculator.

 

To set up your IC-E2820 to send GPS Data (DV-G) you need to set the following parameters,

 

MENU > DV GPS >

GPS SENTENCE = RMC & GGA on, all others OFF

GPS TX = GPS (not GPS-A)

GPS AUTO TX = OFF (GPS data will be transmitted when you press your PTT)

GPS MESSAGE = (enter your checksum code created by the D-PRS calculator)

 

When your 2820’s GPS is receiving a valid signal the GPS symbol will stop flashing (this can take sometime) so when you press your PTT valid DVG information will be transmitted.

 

To set up your IC-E92D,

 

MENU > DV SET MODE > GPS TX MODE = GPS > SENTENCE = RMC & GGA = ON, all others OFF.

             > GPS AUTO TX = OFF (GPS data will be transmitted when you press your PTT)

 

MENU > MESSAGE/POS > GPS > (enter your checksum code created by the D-PRS calculator)

 

On your 92’s display you should see DV-G, and when the light is flashing (GPS lock) on the HM-175GPS speaker/mic and you press your PTT then you will be successful transmitting DVG.

 

Call signs will only be plotted if the user is sending the correct DPRS/GPS Information.

 

** There is a valid reason that we request that you please DO NOT use Auto GPS beacons on the DStar network through your local repeater. Icom D-Star transceivers wait until the frequency is clear before transmitting Auto GPS Beacons. This sounds ideal but if it collides with the next users data header it can stop their transmission from being passed through the repeater and the Gateway onto the network. If you follow the guide above then your position will be transmitted every time you call by pressing your PTT so Auto Beacons are not required to plot your position on the APRS servers.

 

 

^Back to top of page^