IC-705 DSTAR TERMINAL MODE

For the many of you that are blessed in having an Icom IC-705 rig, here is another trick for you to experiment with.

Say you are not within range of a DStar Repeater, and you still want to access the DStar network using your IC-705.

Well.. after a little bit of playing, I managed to get my IC-705 to connect to DStar Reflectors without the need of a Repeater, or a DStar HotSpot on a Raspberry Pi.

However, you will need a Raspberry Pi, any model I understand will be fine.

So.. even a Raspberry Pi Zero will work. Raspberry Pi Zero W

WHAT YOU NEED:

You will also need the Pi-Star OS.. Pi-Star_RPi_V4.2.1_17-Feb-2024.zip

Check here for any updates... Pi-Star UK

• Raspberry PI Mother board. Raspberry Pi Zero W

• SD Card for the operating system, 16Gig is fine

You will also need two USB Cables:

• 1x to power the Raspberry Pi. Usually USB Micro to USB A if you have a power supply that has USB A power outlets.

• 1x USB Micro to USB Micro for the data, one end connected to the Raspberry Pi Zero and the other end connected to the USB Micro port on the IC-705.

My 705 connected to the RP Zero, Orange cable Power, Black Data to and from the 705

Note: the Raspberry PI does need a WIFI connection or course!

Pi-Star Dashboard running in DStarRepeater Mode

There are a few small changes you need to make to the Pi-Star Software... I found this brilliant Youtube Clip from K9SWX.

If you follow his steps to the letter as they say, you will get it up and running in no time.

I have been testing it and it works a treat, and with out the cost of buying a Hotspot.

You can also see and use his text to step through as well.

Click Here.

One trick you need to be aware of, when he says, "Now Connect you IC705" DO IT.. Other wise the Radio Modem Type will NOT show the Icom Terminal Mode selection.

And yes.. I know... this is not real Amateur Radio.. And I suppose in one way it's not as the 705 is not transmitting RF, as a matter of fact you don't need an antenna of course.

But.. you are still using your callsign and also the Amateur Radio Network.

Note: This setup will only allow you to connect to the Reflectors, like REF023C for example and not directly to a DStar Repeater. But as you know, many DStar Repeaters are connected to Reflectors.

Have fun... if you need help or have a question, leave a comment..

Cheers.

Craig

vk3ncr