[FARC] D-RATS Plug

Fri Apr 9 16:45:20 EDT 2010

Hmmmm,  I wasn't really recommending that you use D-RATS for the upcoming
ARES digital exercise, I was just throwing it out there for general information.

It's whatever you guys think is best and how the K3ERM station is configured
at the firehall.  I can't remember if you guys have a Packet/Airmail station or 
not, but if you want to demonstrate all RF digital messaging  then working that
in with W3FDK-9 or WN3R-10 is one idea.  APRS can send short messages to 
WN3R-10 via APRSLink.  Anybody using Outpost or Airmail can message with 
WN3R-10, W3FDK-9, or any other Packet station in the county with a TNC PBBS.  

Check with Rolan Clark, W3FDK, as he has a manual method using FLDigi software
and getting HF messages from Olivia, PSK31, MT-63 etc. into other systems.
This manual method involves getting a file of text from the HF modes, having it
error checked by a program called WRAP, and then this text can be added to 
a Packet message.  Been done, been tested.  I think he has even tested HF mode 
MT-63 with Echolink somehow.    

Can't resist the plug for D-RATS.  Using D-RATS/D-Star makes the above entirely 
obsolete.  

73
KB3ONM

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jeff Fishman<mailto:ljfish1 at comcast.net> 
  To: Frederick, Maryland ARC<mailto:farc at mailman.qth.net> 
  Sent: Friday, April 09, 2010 3:29 PM
  Subject: Re: [FARC] D-RATS Plug

  Kirk,
  This sounds interesting, but for the first exercise I think we should keep 
  it fairly simple and try to use digital modes that people might have some 
  experience with. As someone who has some digital experience, what other 
  basic RF modes would you recommend (Packet, APRS, PSK 31, etc.) to start 
  with?
  73,
  Jeff KB3FIO
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Kirk Talbott" <KirkTal7237 at msn.com<mailto:KirkTal7237 at msn.com>>
  To: "Frederick, Maryland ARC" <farc at mailman.qth.net<mailto:farc at mailman.qth.net>>
  Sent: Friday, April 09, 2010 10:18 AM
  Subject: [FARC] D-RATS Plug

  > For the digital mode enthusiast try D-RATS.  What is it? Their web site
  > http://www.d-rats.com/<http://www.d-rats.com/<http://www.d-rats.com/%3Chttp://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/<http://www.d-rats.com/releases/35-d-rats-032-released/%3Chttp://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/<http://www.d-rats.com/documentation/%3Chttp://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
  >
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