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D-STAR (ThumbDV)

Status

Status: Supported · Applies to: FlexRadio

AetherSDR can operate D-STAR digital voice on a FlexRadio using a ThumbDV or DV3000U AMBE vocoder plugged into your computer. A small bundled helper, aether-dv-waveform, registers a DSTR mode with the radio, does the D-STAR framing on the PC, and uses the ThumbDV for voice encode and decode. The ThumbDV stays on the computer running AetherSDR; it does not go into the radio.

D-STAR is a registered trademark of Icom Inc. AetherSDR is not affiliated with or endorsed by Icom Inc.

Requirements​

  • A FlexRadio with waveform support, reached directly on your network. The helper uses the Flex waveform interface, so it does not run over SmartLink (see SmartLink Setup), and it is not available on other radio families. On a radio without waveform support the D-STAR controls are hidden.
  • A ThumbDV or DV3000U on a USB port of the computer. AetherSDR includes no software AMBE vocoder.
  • A build that includes the aether-dv-waveform helper. In a build without it, the DSTR mode and the D-STAR controls are not shown.
  • Serial-port access to the ThumbDV:
    • Linux: official packages install the udev rule 70-aethersdr-thumbdv.rules, which gives the desktop user access to the ThumbDV (FTDI 0403:6015). Unplug and replug the ThumbDV after installing. On systems without systemd-logind, add yourself to the serial-device group (usually dialout or uucp) and log out and back in.
    • Windows: the ThumbDV appears as a COMn port. The helper opens it exclusively, so close any other program using it. The installer adds the helper's firewall rule.
    • macOS: the ThumbDV appears as /dev/cu.usbserial-*.

Setup​

Open Tools → Waveforms... and find the D-STAR card under Local Digital Voice.

ControlWhat it does
ThumbDV devicePick the ThumbDV's serial port, or type it (for example COM3, /dev/ttyUSB0, /dev/cu.usbserial-…). Refresh rescans. On Linux the stable /dev/serial/by-id/… name is preferred.
Auto-startStart the D-STAR service automatically.
Station and routingMYCALL, Suffix, URCALL, RPT1, RPT2 and a 20-character Message.
AdvancedThe helper's executable path. Leave it blank to use the bundled helper.
  • A ThumbDV is only saved once it has answered with a valid DV3000 reply, so a wrong serial port is never remembered by mistake.
  • MYCALL defaults to the radio's callsign. It must be 3–8 letters and digits, containing at least one of each. Suffix, routing and message fields are checked before the helper starts, so a malformed header is never transmitted.
  • The default route is CQCQCQ / DIRECT / DIRECT (URCALL / RPT1 / RPT2).

Using D-STAR​

Choose DSTR on a slice​

Set the slice mode to DSTR. DSTR runs over the radio's DFM path, so the VFO flag's FM options apply: repeater offset, direction, simplex and reverse are shown, and CTCSS is hidden.

Only one digital-voice slice can be active at a time.

The D-STAR tab in AetherModem​

Open Tools → AetherModem... and select the D-STAR tab. The header shows the service state, which slice is in DSTR (or No DSTR slice), and a Start / Stop button for the service.

Station & Route

FieldWhat it does
MYCALL / SuffixYour callsign and optional 4-character suffix.
FromDirect or Repeater.
ToLocal CQ, Specific station, Repeater area or Custom.
Access repeaterRepeater callsign and module, when going through a repeater.
Destination stationDestination callsign and module, when calling a specific station or repeater area.
Advanced route detailsThe raw URCALL, RPT1 and RPT2 fields, plus the helper executable.

Voice Service shows the vocoder (ThumbDV / DV3000), the ThumbDV device with Refresh, and Autostart at launch.

D-STAR Traffic logs D-STAR activity (station, destination, URCALL / RPT1 / RPT2 and slice). Use the search box to filter it, or clear it. Below the log, type a TX MESSAGE of up to 20 characters and click Set TX Message; the ACTIVE line shows the message currently being sent.

The footer shows the MODEM state, the ROUTE and recent ACTIVITY.

Transmitting​

  • D-STAR is sent only when you key the DSTR slice (MOX, PTT or VOX). AetherSDR never keys the radio to start the service.
  • A TUNE carrier stays a plain tune carrier; the helper does not send D-STAR data during TUNE.

Controllers and shortcuts​

DSTR is available as a mode shortcut and as a MIDI mode action. While the D-STAR helper is not running, Mode Up / Mode Down on MIDI controllers skip over DSTR instead of stopping on it.

Known issues​

  • Received D-STAR audio is silent or stops after a short time, and transmissions are not recognised as D-STAR by the far station (#4277).
  • A DV3000U ThumbDV is not detected on macOS (#5780).

Troubleshooting​

No D-STAR card or tab, and no DSTR mode​

The build has no aether-dv-waveform helper, or the connected radio has no waveform support.

  1. Use a build that includes the helper.
  2. Connect to a FlexRadio with waveform support, directly on your network.

The D-STAR service will not start​

You are connected over SmartLink, which the helper does not support, or MYCALL is missing or invalid.

  1. Connect to the radio directly on your network instead of through SmartLink.
  2. Check MYCALL: 3–8 letters and digits, with at least one of each.

The ThumbDV is "in use"​

Another program has the serial port open. The helper opens it exclusively.

  1. Close the other program using the port.
  2. Start the D-STAR service again.

Access denied to the ThumbDV on Linux​

Your user has no permission on the serial device.

  1. Install the official package, which adds the udev rule 70-aethersdr-thumbdv.rules.
  2. Unplug and replug the ThumbDV.
  3. On systems without systemd-logind, add yourself to dialout or uucp, then log out and back in.

See also​