Basics and Hints
7 February 2013
Note from the Cwmbran and District Amateur Radio Society: The info in this document has been collected from German publications by DG1HT and DJ0ABR as well as the Cwmbran and District Amateur Radio Society. I hope it will help english speaking hams to quickly become familiar with this exciting development.
Up to now one had two options to make a connection.
1. a point to point connection between two stations or
2. a point to multipoint connection to several stations.
Direct connections are made using "Callsign Routing" which is reasonably well documented in the ICOM user manuals.
To speak with several stations "reflectors" were developed. However these are not the target of this publication.
We want to address a point to point connection allowing one amateur to speak to another anywhere in the world. To accomplish this task we need "Callsign Routing" so that the CCS system automatically finds the right path.
There are a number of predecessors ever since D-Star exists. E.g.
1. ICOM call sign routing (the oldest system)
2. IrcDDB (like 1. above but with a more efficient, responsive database)
3. D-Plus (works like Echo-Link on FM Repeaters, except uses digital voice generated in radio instead of at repeater)
4. StarNET another extension of 1. above, except more useful for group communication.
All these systems have their advantages and disadvantages.
For example the ICOM system works well but is very difficult to use and thus fewer hams utilize it. StarNET achieved group level callsign routing. So we had 4 systems just to allow two hams to talk with each other some with a difficult user interface. This was the trigger for DG1HT (the developer of the DCS reflector system) to create a new, simple and easy to use system that can replace the older cumbersome ones and make it easier for newcomers to D-Star to operate.
It allows fully automatic routing between two amateurs
Simple command - actually, only the use of PTT and talk
Visibility - the user at all times knows the status of both ends of the communication
Everyone hears everyone else participating in the contact
Includes the benefits of ICOM call sign routing, IrcDDB, D-Plus and StarNET and can replace some of them. The user does not need to remember special commands and functions.
It has worldwide functionality
Its actually easier than making a phone call.
1. You specify who you want to talk to
2. You press the PTT key and speak
For the ham who gets called its even easier:
1. He/She just presses the PTT key and answers.
Everything else is done automatically as the CCS administers the path in both directions and the cumbersome use of the ICOM R>CS key is no longer needed to create the return path.
Enter the call of the station you wish to contact in URCALL. Then if you are in the coverage area of a CCS equipped D-Star repeater and have its frequency correctly entered all you need to do is press the PTT key and you will be connected to the selected station.
Actions to take when using a PC with the DV-RPTR Control Center:
The Control Center shows a listing of all stations connectable via CCS which can be filtered by prefix (country). You pick the station you want and click on it. The connection will instantly be made and you can press PTT and speak. (You want to listen first to make sure the other station is not already in a QSO). The called station only has to answer. Thus a worldwide contact becomes as simple as a local one.
In the past the use of the old call using routing and reflectors often lead to chaos by creating double paths. CCS however organizes this situation perfectly and adds a few more comfortable possibilities. For example: Ham A is connected to a reflector and in a QSO. Then another ham (B) is calling him via CCS. In this case the CCS system automatically connects HAM B to HAM A and the currently running QSO on the reflector. Thus everyone can hear everyone else. The advantage is that it does not matter how one connects into a QSO, one can hear everyone. This allows for clean and QRM free conversations.
To make CCS calls all participating stations or repeaters must have implemented the CCS protocol. At present the status is:
G4KLX ircDDBgateway - CCS capability for Gateway and Repeater
DV-RPTR Control Center used as a Dongle, Hotspot or Repeater includes the full CCS functionality
CCS client for ICOM repeaters
To register and get a four digit call number assigned to your call sign (takes 30 seconds only) go to the web site http://dcs.xreflector.net/userreg.html and on the left select CCS SYSTEM - User Register and click on it.
Then you can register and the system displays your personal number. To view all personal numbers go to the web site http://dcs.xreflector.net/dtmf.php?s=dtmf
This is also the place to find another stations CCS number by entering their call sign.
To end a CCS QSO and disconnect with DTMF use PTT and “A”
It is common practice now for CCS capable stations to use the four digit suffix field to store and display their CCS number (and no longer the type of radio you are using or your name) This also makes it easy for someone else to find you and call you without having to look you up in the database.
CCS Live