Configuring the Raspberry Pi for Star*DV

Star*DV also works with BlueDV software for: D-Star DMR C4FM Click here for details

The Matrix Circuits Star*DV is a USB device that allows you to have D-STAR Digital Voice QSOs over the internet using a speaker/mike, headset or PC speakers/microphone.  With the right software, you can also use it to adapt an analog radio to be able to have D-STAR QSOs over RF (for example, D-STAR on HF). The software can optionally work with a GMSK Modem to create a D-STAR Compatible Hotspot that also supports in-shack QSOs using a speaker/mike rather than a D-STAR HT.

This page shows how to install and configure the SDV-Pi software on a Raspberry Pi.  This open source software was written by Rick KD0OSS of Matrix Circuits.  He leveraged techniques and some code in the G4KLX suite, and some GMSK Modem code by KI4LKF.  StarDV works with the G4KLX ircDDBGateway program, which manages linking and connecting to DPlus, DExtra and DCS reflectors as well as callsign routing using StarNET, CCS and ircDDB.

SDV-Pi requires that you have an LCD plate installed on the Pi before starting the program.  All communication with you uses the LCD and the 5 buttons on the plate.  Note:  SDV has been tested with 3 LCD plates for the Pi:  Adafruit monochrome LCD kit #1115, Adafruit RGB LCD kit #1110 and MoenComm monochrome built LCD with RGB status LED.

Load image file
First download and install the westerndstar image (click here) created by Brian, GW6WTK.

Configure G4KLX ircDDBGateway and the Western D-Star Widget
Use TightVNC to log onto your Pi's desktop.  Password is raspberry. 

GW6WTK's Widget makes it easy to configure G4KLX programs, and to control what is loaded automatically at bootup.  When configuring the G4KLX programs, note that although there seem to be a lot of fields and options, in fact most of the default values are correct.  There are only a few where you need to enter your own values, mainly callsigns.

Start the Widget by clicking on the Widget icon (found on the top line that begins with Menu)

Configure the ircddbgateway program

• In the Widget, under ircDDB Gateway, click Configure Gateway button
  • Use screenshots at www.k6jm.com/ConfigG4KLX-DSR.pdf  as a guide.  Scroll down to shots showing ircDDBGateway on the top line.
  • Replace the sample callsigns with your own
  • On the Gateway tab, normally set Type to Dongle.  If you are also using the optional GMSK Modem, set Type to Hotspot for simplex, or Repeater if duplex.
  • Latitude/Longitude/QTH/URL are optional.  This info will appear on APRS status pages, if enabled, and on the ircDDB status pages, if enabled.
  • Fill in the first Repeater 1 tab.  Band should be the same as selected for the D-Star Config program’s Callsign tab (B or C).  Set Type to Homebrew.  It’s not necessary to fill out the 2^nd Repeater 1 tab. 
  • Ignore the remaining Repeater tabs
  • Disable the ircddb tab unless you have a gateway callsign (or “club call”), have registered it with ircDDB and they have given you a password.  Alternatively, you can read the Gateway manual about using the Italian test server.
  • If you want to link to DPlus REF reflectors, enable the DPlus tab.  For callsign, fill in one that's a registered terminal at a US Trust connected D-Star gateway.  Often this is the terminal with your callsign and a "blank" initial, or one with an N or R initial in the 8th position.
  • The remaining tabs can be ignored for now, except you may want to enable the Remote tab.  See notes below for more info.
  • Go to File and select Save, then exit the program.
• In the Widget
  • Únder D-Star Repeater 1, in the Start-up box, click None. (When using StarDV, you don't want DStarRepeater launched at boot time.)
  • Click the SAVE button at bottom right of the Widget window.
  • Click the Restart button at bottom right of the Widget window.  This will reboot your Pi.

Install & Configure SDV program 1st time -- click here

Using SDV

• Click here for SDV usage details

• Short version: 

  • Install LCD plate on the Pi before booting up the Pi

  • Once SDV is running, press down button to scroll through menus:
       Link -> Unlink -> Echo -> Info -> Configuration -> WiFi Config -> Shut Down -> Exit Menu

  • To select a function, click the Select button

  • Example: To link to REF012C

    • Press Down button to see Link command, then press Select button

    • Press Down button several times until REF012 is visable

    • Press Right button several times until C module is visable

    • Press Select button to do the Link

  • Speaker/Mike audio level (volume) controls -- There are two audio pots accessible on the back side of the Star*DV.  The pot near the center controls the speaker level.   The pot near the corner enclosure screw controls the mike level.

SDV source
SDV is open source software published under the GNU version 2 license.  The source is available for download.  Just join the stardboardt Yahoo Group and go to the Files area of the website.

D-Star® is a registered trademark used for communication equipment (repeaters and transceivers) for amateur radio communications, and owned by Icom Incorporated.