[FARC] D-RATS Plug

[Kirk Talbott]

For the digital mode enthusiast try D-RATS.  What is it? Their web site 
http://www.d-rats.com/<http://www.d-rats.com/>
says it is a communications tool for D-Star, but I can be more specific. 

With D-RATS you can:

-- Text message (chat) with other D-RATS stations, local or worldwide.

-- Exchange files with other D-RATS stations.

-- Send/receive plain text or forms E-mail like HICS, memos, NTS radiograms, etc.
    to/from other D-RATS stations.

-- Send/receive E-mail to/from the Internet, including Winlink 2000 nodes.

-- Connect a D-STAR radio to your D-RATS computer and do D-RATS 
    functions with other D-RATS RF stations in simplex mode or via the D-STAR
    repeater, reflector, gateway system, which a few of us have done here
    in Frederick.  

-- View/track D-RATS and D-Star DPRS stations on a map.

-- With a program extension view/track APRS stations on a map.

-- Configure your own D-RATS repeater/reflector/proxy for local communications
    via computer and RF which I have done here for Frederick.  

-- Configure your own E-mail forwarding system.

You DO NOT need a D-STAR radio to get started with D-RATS.
You can use the computer only and access a public ratflector
and communicate nation or worldwide, or connect to our 
Frederick ratflector and communicate with computer and RF
D-RATS stations locally.  There are only a very few of us.  

D-RATS is a FREE download, however, the developer KK7DS
does accept donations.

D-RATS will run on modern Windows PC's, Windows 2000/XP 
operating systems and later.  Windows 98 and earlier 
Windows operating systems are not supported.
Broadband Internet, cable or DSL, is recommended.  
D-RATS will also run on modern MACos and LINUX machines.

You can download and install D-RATS for Windows here:
http://www.d-rats.com/releases/35-d-rats-032-released/<http://www.d-rats.com/releases/35-d-rats-032-released/>
Version 0.3.2 is the most current production version of
D-RATS for Windows.  Click on INSTALLER (EXE) as this 
will download and install D-RATS.  MACos and LINUX
versions of D-RATS can be found here also.  Download
and installation on Windows takes about 2 minutes
depending on your Internet speed.  

Documentation for configuration, setup, and operation of D-RATS here:
http://www.d-rats.com/documentation/<http://www.d-rats.com/documentation/>
The How-To's and Users Manual are especially helpful.  

There are a few of us running D-RATS in the Frederick area 
and we can be of assistance with WINDOWS operation and 
configuration; MAC and LINUX guys you're on your own.  

73
KB3ONM