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John Martins'
Amateur Radio from near Empire Michigan USA


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VHF Propagation

 

The Icom RP2C DStar repeater controller is setup via an ethernet connection through the RJ45 socket on the front of the unit. The USB connections are for other, less common, uses.

The RP2C has a Windows based configuration program that talks to the unit via standard TCP/Ip networking. While the unit comes from the factory with a standard default address, it is changeable should you wish to add the controller to your LAN. Due to this method, it's quite likely that the RP2C control program can function from Linux with the WINE libraries (I have not tested this) or via a virtual Windows on OSX. This ethernet connectivity can also allow for remote disabling of the repeater for those with internet connectivity at their repeater site-- something not only helpful, but a legal necessity (which I am certain many DStar repeater owners don't ever think about). [NOTE: in my case I have a separate controller that can kill the power to the DStar repeater if needed-- it's handy too, as my repeater tends to crash every few months and an easy way to cycle the power remotely is quite convenient].

Yea--- DO NOT FORGET THE FCC REGULATIONS!... they apply to DStar repeaters just like any others. (IMHO perhaps only 5% of ham repeaters are legally operated-- I would really enjoy being proved wrong on this, but I'm not too hopeful-- as it is, VERY few hams have actually read the regulations, so how would they know what's required?).

 

I'm rather happy that the RP2C is configured by TCP/Ip and a standard RJ45 ethernet connection. If only the repeater modules could be the same!

This is the same ethernet connection that ultimately connects with the internet gateway router.

In order to connect to the RP2C you need to move your computer over to the network segment that the RP2C operates on.

Changing the network settings is a 'no brainer' to computer geeks, and it would be a more useful piece of knowledge for the Extra question pool than questions like 'what time to call CQ on 2m moonbounce'. Alas, I digress.

After you find the local area network adapter you have to change it's properties.

REMEMBER to jot down any settings that were there before you changed them for DStar-- so you can return your computer to normal operation without pulling your hair out!

My RP2C came from the factory with a default IP address of 172.16.0.1 and a netmask of 255.255.255.0 .

I set my computer to an address within that lan segment (172.16.0.100 was chosen at random) with the same netmask.

The Icom 'G2' gateway software normally uses 172.16.0.20, so you want to keep away from using that address.

Once the computer networking is setup to talk on the same LAN segment as the RP2C you can start up the configuration software.

You will be asked for a password as part of the connection process. The default is 'PASSWORD' (remember to use uppercase-- it is case sensitive!)

It's been a while since I've set this up, but I presume you need to enter in the default IP (or whatever you've changed it to if you have changed it from default) of your RP2C before you hit the 'READ' button.

If you can hit READ and not get an error message you should smile. FYI-- if it does not like the password you entered earlier it will look as if it cannot READ the repeater even if you have all the IP networking setup properly (a bad password gives a false impression of working at first blush).

This is the only page of configuration for the RP2C.

As you can see, there's not a whole lot you can configure. The callsign, IP address, whether to use the Icom DStar gateway system, and what RJ45 spigots on the back of the RP2C are connected to what repeater modules. That's it.

FYI--- there IS a timeout timer built into the DStar repeater-- as I've personally found out on numerous occasions. It seems to me to be something like a 3minute timeout, but I have never actually measured it. I have a serous tendency to fall afoul of the timer. Sadly, Icom does not provide a means to change it's setting.

As with the other DStar components-- READ THE MANUAL! (it's your friend).


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