D-STAR ircDDB Plug-In

There are two basic servers types available for D-Star radio users. Users are linked via TCP/IP utilizing "Gateway 2" (G2) software, available from Icom, as well as an Open Source gateway using the ircDDB-Network. This allows amateur radio operators to talk to any other amateur participating in a particular gateway "trust" environment. The current G2 master gateway in the United States is operated by the K5TIT group in Texas, who were the first to install a D-STAR repeater system in the U.S. The ircDDB-Network utilizes a Worldwide Trust System.

The ircDDB-Network is an amateur radio network for exchanging routing information. There are several amateur radio systems that are able to reach individual ham radio operators, due to the use of unique callsigns around the world. These systems need to be fed with the latest data where ham radio operators are reachable. For example, ICOM introduced the first radios with digital voice (D-Star) on the amateur radio market, which are capable of addressing QSO partners directly (call sign routing). The ircDDB-Network provides an altrnate solution to distribute the essential routing information across its entire network.

The Icom D-Star Gateway version 2 (G2) package has two major portions:

• Registration of Users for the US Trust

• Less than realtime updates of gateway IP and user location. (ircDDB addresses this)

Adding the ircDDB plugin or ircDDBGateway to Gateway 2 (G2):

Adding the ircDDB plug-in to Icom G2 will not remove any functionality. Here’s what it adds:

• Realtime updates of the IP address of gateways

• Realtime reporting of the last transmission of stations on ircDDB connected gateways (great for debugging routing questions)

• Ability to callsign route to/from non-Icom (G2) gateways (that support ircDDB - as of February 2013, there are 688 gateways reporting to ircDDB vs 271 which only have G2).

Downside of adding the ircDDB plug-in to Icom G2:

• • You will not be able to callsign route to/from gateways that haven’t added ircDDB. (Linking is still available)

Upside of adding the ircDDB plug-in to Icom G2:

• • Continue DPLUS linking (though it is handled in the gateway and you turn off the separate DPLUS package)

  • Only traffic meant to go to the link is relayed, callsign routed traffic is not sent to the link as it is in your current system

  • Add DExtra Linking system (http://xreflector.net/neu3/ for more information)

  • Add DCS reflectors (http://xreflector.net/neu3/ for more information)

  • Add CCS (http://xreflector.net/neu3/ for more information)

  • Add D-RATS from command station through repeater

  • Replace position reporting system

  • Use of DTMF to Link/Unlink (all linking systems)

  • Create split site / voting receiver, secondary transmitter configurations to extend coverage into a regional repeater.

  • Open source and active development

  • Can operate with a combination Icom Controller, GMSK modems, Soundcard, etc.

  • Simplex or Repeater

internet relay chat Distributed Data Base (ircDDB) connectivity diagram: