NEW:  March 2013:  The FREE STAR* team now supports the Canadian manufactured DVRPTR board (www.dvrptr.net) with the v1.10e and v1.80k firmware.

August 2012:  The FREE STAR* team now supports the BeagleBone (single board computer with an ARM processor) running Debian.  An image will be added as soon as we have completed testing and documentation.

June 2012:  The FREE STAR* team now supports the Raspberry Pi (single board computer with an ARM processor) running Debian. 

FREE STAR* is an experimental approach to the implementation of a vendor neutral, and open source, digital communication network.

FREE STAR* enables existing (FM) repeater owners to establish a D STAR repeater with a choice of interface hardware (GMSK modem or sound card), software and radio hardware.   FREE STAR* currently does not bypass the need for an end-user to own/use a D-STAR radio to access DV enabled repeaters!

FREE STAR* reflectors are open to ICOM and non-ICOM gateways, DVAR, DVAP, and DVTool clients.  Our reflectors re-generate the RF header every 21 packets allowing users with marginal coverage of the local repeater immune to signal drop-out aiding in the immediate recovery of lost audio; similarly, DVAR, DVAP, and DVTool clients connecting to a busy reflector will copy audio immediately (without the need to wait until the next 'over').  Further, our reflectors support multi-linking allowing repeater systems that support this feature to connect 2 or more RF modules to a single (common) reflector module.

 

A variety of GMSK modems are available.  We have tested several of them.  The following modem passed all of our qualification tests (see the v7 page):

http://www.d-star.asia/index.html.en

We also support the DSP based modem from the dvrptr team - this new addition provides superior front-end sensitivity at a very competitive price point. Thanks to Pierre, VE2PF for uploading this video:  http://youtu.be/0Ly5xFGBFXQ

Additionally, we support the DVAP device, which can be added to a FREE STAR* system either as the principal RF access point or a secondary access point (RF module).

We offer a complete ISO image allowing prospective clients to build a complete system in about one hour.  We also offer an install script allowing for the FREE STAR* software components to be added to an existing CENTOS 5.x box, such as an existing Asterisk / app_rpt (ACID) installation. Hence we enable Allstar node owners / administrators the capability to operate a FREE STAR* system with next to no additional hardware and investment.

September 4,2011:  FREE STAR* Appliance now available.  A HP thin client (T5710) has been successfully converted running CENTOS off a 4GB microdrive.  This client is running the full complement of FREE STAR* software, 2 RF modules (one half duplex and the second a full-duplex repeater).  The HP Thin Client is an extremely cost effective solution, used devices can be found for as little as $28USD.  The conversion cost is an additional ~ $16.  The HP Thin Client can operate off a 13.8VDC supply, it has no moving parts, draws about 600mA @ 13.8VDC and makes an excellent appliance for installation at remote repeater sites.

Please refer to the ISO page to download the above images / install scripts / Quick Install Guides.

October 22, 2011:  FREE STAR* Dual Mode DV and FM solution refined.  We have refined our dual mode (DV and FM) repeater solution.  Yes! - we have a solution that allows an existing FM repeater to be used as a DV repeater as well.  There are many benefits of using Digital Voice.  We feel that the following recordings will 'speak for themselves'.  Thanks to Reg, VA3JQA, for assisting with these tests and providing consent for these to be posted on this website.  The recordings compare a portable station running 1W on FM versus 1W on DV from the exact same location into the same dual mode repeater:

FM Recording

DV Recording

 

The table below is a work-in-progress attempt to provide the user community with a view of FREE STAR* repeater presence and access information:

(Please note that Half Duplex Access Points require the user's radio to be in duplex mode (+/- DUP enabled with a 0MHz offset), set RPT1=Callsign as shown, and RPT2 = Access Point Callsign with a 'G' in the 8th position - so for example for VE3FSR, set RPT1 = VE3FSR B, RPT2 = VE3FSR G).

 

AUSTRALIA
Callsign	Location	TX Frequency	RX Frequency	Area Served	ircDDB	Notes
VK3RCE B	Bendigo, Victoria	438.9125	438.9125	Bendigo, Victoria	Yes	Half Duplex - on-air
VK5RMK B	Renmark	438.0750	432.6750	Renmark, South Australia	Yes	Full Duplex - on-air
CANADA
Callsign	Location	TX Frequency	RX Frequency	Area Served	ircDDB	Notes
VE2PUK B	Montreal, QC	TBD	TBD	Montreal	Yes	Full Duplex (dvrptr) - on test
VE3FSR B	Ottawa, ON	445.860	445.860	Kanata South	Yes	Half Duplex - on-air
VA3HOA B	Ottawa, ON	443.600	448.600	Stittsville	Yes	Full-Duplex - on-air
VA3MCU B	Toronto, ON	446.825	446.825	Toronto	Yes	Half-Duplex - on-air
VA3ODH B	Cumberland, ON	445.850	445.850	Cumberland	Yes	Half-Duplex - on-air
VA3ODH C	Cumberland, ON	145.610	145.610	Cumberland	Yes	Half-Duplex - on-air
VA3PMO B	Mississauga, ON	444.250	449.250	Halton, Peel, Niagara, Toronto	Yes	Full-Duplex; Mixed Mode (analog / digital repeater:  FM - CTCSS:  103.5Hz)
VA3WAJ B	Niagara Falls, ON	442.425	447.425	Golden Horseshoe	Yes	Pending Installation
VE3BFH C	Stewartville, ON	145.640	145.640	Madawaska / White Lake	Yes	Half-Duplex - on-air
VE3KKA B	Timmins, ON	443.925	443.925	The Great North (Travelling Demo)	Yes	Alix 3d3 - Travelling Demo System
VE3OBP B	Oakville, ON	445.0125	445.0125	Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton	Yes	Half-Duplex - on-air
VE3QSB B	Thornhill, ON	442.000	447.000	Thornhill, Richmond Hill, SE Markham	Yes	Half-Duplex - on-air
VE3RSD B	Mississauga, ON	443.8125	448.8125	Halton, Peel	Yes	Full-Duplex - on-air
VE3RSD C	Mississauga, ON	147.540	147.540	Halton, Peel	Yes	Half-Duplex - on-air
VE3WVU C	Mindemoya, ON	144.900	144.900	Mindemoya, M'Chigeeng, Spring Bay	Yes	Half-Duplex - on-air
VA5DR B	Saskatoon, SK	448.125	443.125	Saskatoon, Warman, Martensville	Yes	Full-Duplex - on-air
VE5MBX B	Martensville, SK	449.500	444.500	Martensville	Yes	Full-Duplex - on-air
VE5RAD C	Battleford, SK	147.120	147.720	North Battleford	Yes	Full-Duplex - on-air
VE6BHX B	Edmonton, AB	440.750	445.750	Edmonton, AB	Yes	Full-Duplex - DVRPTR, Ras Pi - on-air
VE6DXD B	Sherwood Park, AB	444.300	448.300	Sherwood Park	Yes	Full-Duplex - on-air
VE7SUN B	Delta, BC	440.725	445.725	Delta, Surrey, Richmond	Yes	Full-Duplex - on-air
VA7GQ B	Delta, BC	445.775	440.775	Delta (Minimal Coverage)	Yes	Full-Duplex - on-air
VE7XNR B	Saltspring Isl., BC	444.850	449.850	Saltspring Island	Yes	Full-Duplex - on-air
VE7MDN B	Saltspring Isl., BC	440.950	445.950	Ganges, Saltspring Island	Yes	Full-Duplex  - on-air
Greece
Callsign	Location	TX Frequency	RX Frequency	Area Served	ircDDB	Notes
SZ1A B	Agrinio	439.375	431.775	Aitoloakarnania	Yes	Half Duplex on-air
Spain
ED2YAE B	Sestao	438.400	438.400	Bilbao, North Spain	Yes	Half-Duplex on-air (Full-Duplex pending)
ED2YAN B	Bilbao	430.600	438.200	Bilbao, North Spain	Yes	Full Duplex (Installation pending)
U.S.A
Callsign	Location	TX Frequency	RX Frequency	Area Served	ircDDB	Notes
KB1UAP B	Hudson, NH	449.975	444.975	Southern NH / Northern MA	Yes	Full-Duplex on-air; Mixed Mode (analog / digital repeater:  FM - CTCSS:  88.5Hz)
KB1UAP C	Hudson, NH	145.690	145.690	Southern NH / Northern MA	Yes	Under Test
KC9URF C	Sandoval, IL	145.6375	145.6375	Sandoval, IL	Yes	Half-Duplex on-air
KF5LOG B	Fort Worth, TX	446.075	446.075	NW Fort Worth, TX	Yes	Half-Duplex on-air (pending full-duplex)
KK4GEI C	Fort Belvoir, VA	145.650	145.650	Southern Fairfax County, VA	Yes	Half-Duplex on-air
W0BFD B	Fort Collins, CO	TBD	TBD	Fort Collins, CO	Yes	Under Test
U.K.
Callsign	Location	TX Frequency	RX Frequency	Area Served	ircDDB	Notes
GB7BD B	Dundry	430.450	439.450	Bristol and surrounding area	Yes	Full-Duplex - on-air
GB7NU B	Sheringham, North Norfolk	439.6625 (test)	430.6625 (test)	North Norfolk, Coastal Area	Yes	Collocated with GB3NU
MB6DE C	Dereham, Norfolk	144.825	144.825	Dereham & Surrounding villages	Yes	Half-Duplex on-air
MB6INN B	Sheringham, North Norfolk	434.5000	434.5000	North Norfolk, Coastal Area	Yes	Collocated with GB3NU
MB6SB C	Holbeach Lincolnshire	144.8250	144.8250	North West Norfolk, South Lincolnshire, The Wash Sea Area	Yes	Dual Module System, on-air
MB6SB B	Holbeach Lincolnshire	434.025	434.025	North West Norfolk, South Lincolnshire, The Wash Sea Area	Yes	Dual Module System, on-air
MB6AD C	Alford, Lincolnshire	144.8375	144.8375	East Coast Lincolnshire	Yes	Half-Duplex on-air
MB6NH C	Newhaven	144.8375	144.8375	South Coast England	Yes	Half-Duplex, on-air
MB6LS C	Banningham Norfolk	144.875	144.875	North Norfolk	Yes	Half-Duplex, on-air
MB6PE C	Doddington Cambridgeshire	144.8625	144.8625	March & Chatteris, A141 area	Yes	Half-Duplex, on-air

D STAR repeaters associated with a third-party production Trust server, will not be able to connect to FREE STAR* systems using dplus.    ICOM repeater systems can add dextra_srv on top of their ICOM G2 and dplus installation without risk of repercussion from their Trust team.  Once this add-on software has been added to your ICOM system, you can then access FREE STAR* repeaters and XRF reflectors using dextra_srv *regardless of the Trust server that either system might be associated with.*

The database on FREE STAR* Reflectors is a hybrid database merging the USroot, Multi-Trust and NATRUST databases into a single database.  The sync and merge process takes place automatically.  This approach enables our reflectors to be open to all. 

If you are having difficulty connecting to any of our reflectors, please contact us at dextra {at} va3uv.com.

Regular D STAR repeater owners (connected to a production Trust server) may connect to XRF reflectors to participate in testing and assessment.  This requires some add-on software to be installed on your G2 gateway PC.  The software is independent of other add-on software (such as dplus) and does not interfere with dplus operation; there is no cross-connectivity.  The following ICOM D STAR repeaters in Canada have been configured to access dextra enabled repeaters and reflectors:

 

Newfoundland:

VO1ILP - St. Johns

VO1TZ - St. Johns

 

Quebec:

VE2FCT - Sorel-Tracy;

VE2LKL - Trois-Rivières;

VE2RIO - Montreal;

VE2RMF - Quebec City;

VE2RQT - Quebec City;

VE2RTO - Mont-Orford;

VE2RVR - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

 

Ontario:

VA3ARE - Almonte;

VA3ODG - Ottawa;

VA3SDG - Cornwall;

VA3SRG - Sudbury;

VA3YYZ - Demo System;

VE3LSR - Edgar;

VE3RPT - Uxbridge;

VE3TIR - Timmins;

VE3TTT - London;

VE3WIK - Carlisle;

VE3RXR - Little Current;

VE3YYZ - Toronto.

 

Alberta:

VE6WRO - Banff National Park, Jasper;

VE6WRN - Calgary;

VE6KM - Edmonton;

VE6IPG - Calgary.

 

British Columbia:

VA7DSR - Victoria;

VA7ICM - Surrey;

VE7VIC - Victoria.

 

Should you wish to explore having your ICOM D STAR repeater configured to access dextra enabled repeaters and reflectors, please contact us at the above address.

If you would like to setup your own FREE STAR* half or full-duplex (repeater) system please contact us for information.  Help is also available with system setup, software installation, system security and configuration and testing.