NJ6N's D-STAR Chat

NJ6N's D-STAR Chat application for Windows

d*Chat: A simple D-Star keyboard to keyboard chat application for Windows by NJ6N.

Using HyperTerm or other terminal emulators for simple keyboard to keyboard chatting works, but almost every single character you type is sent independently and immediately which is inefficient and makes it impossible to correct mistakes before they are sent.

d*Chat is a Windows based keyboard to keyboard communication application that uses the D-STAR "DV" data capability. d*Chat is used to enable text-based communication between multiple stations on a simplex frequency or through a repeater.

Installation instructions

Radio configuration

Assuming you have already successfully configured your radio for digital voice (DV), you should be able to use the low-speed data feature of your radio with the D-STAR chat application.

You will need to either build or buy a compatible RS232 cable for your radio.
Configure the baud rate to match the speed you select in the chat application.
Configure your radio for automatic data transmission

Radio configuration, model specific information

IC-2820 Refer to Page 57 of the owners manual for instructions on how to use low-speed digital data. The baud rate used by the IC-2820 is 9600. The pin-outs for the 2.5mm data jack is the same as the other models.
IC-91AD Refer to Page 57 of the owners manual for instructions on how to use low-speed digital data. Please note, the radio to computer interface baud rate is fixed at 38,400 baud.
IC-V/U82 Refer to Page 4 of the owners manual for the pinouts for the RS232 cable. Page 50 describes how to set the baud rate and configure the radio for automatic data transmit. Set the baud rate to 9600 baud.
ID-800H Refer to Page 6 of the owners manual for the pinouts for the RS322 cable. Page 73 describes how to set up your radio for low-speed data and automatic data transmit. Set the baud rate to 9600 baud.
ID-2200H Refer to Page 5 of the owners manual for the pinouts for the RS322 cable. Page 68 describes how to set up your radio for low-speed data and automatic data transmit. Set the baud rate to 9600 baud.
IC-2820HUT-123 module must be installed. Refer to Page 57 of the owners manual for how to set up the radio for data mode. Configure the radio for automatic trnasmit..
For all radios, make sure that you have the GPS feature turned OFF

Software Installation

NOTE: The d*Chat application was written in Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express (the free version) and has been tested on Windows 98, Windows XP, and Vista Enterprise. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

There are two methods to install the d*Chat application and necessary Microsoft software libraries.

If you have a high speed Internet connection, you can simply download the d*Chat installer ZIP archive using the link in step #3, unzip and double-click on the "Setup.exe" installation program. Windows should download the necessary .NET framework from the Microsoft web site automatically as a part of the installation.
If you would like to download the software and install it offline, you will need to download the d*Chat application ZIP archive and then the .NET Framework installer from Microsofts web site (via the link in step #4 or #5 below). Run the .NET Framework installer first, then the d*Chat "Setup.exe" installer from the dChat ZIP archive.
Download the latest version of d*Chat, NJ6N's D-STAR Chat application (version 2.1.3).
Windows XP; Windows Vista Users: Download .NET Framework Version 3.5 Package (x86) from the Microsoft web site.
Windows 2000; Windows 98; Windows 98 Second Edition; Windows ME users: Download .NET Framework Version 2.0 Package (x86) from the Microsoft web site.
Note: If you receive the error "Application cannot be started. Contact the application vendor." when installing the new version, try un-installing the previous version first, then re-installing the latest version.

Note: If you receive error messages while installing d*Chat on Windows XP or Vista such as these:

Activation of C:\dChat213\dChat.application resulted in exception. Following failure messages were detected:
      + Exception reading manifest from file:///C:/dChat213/dChat.application: the manifest may not be valid or the file could not be opened.
      + Manifest XML signature is not valid.
      + The system cannot find the file specified.

try installing the latest version of .NET 3.5 from the Microsoft web site. (Thanks to Bill, N2CSA for the pointer.)

Other versions, no longer supported.

Version 1.2.2 installer.

Software Change History

Version 2.1.3

Added "Send Bulletin" feature to the "File" menu. This new feature sends text files, with lines not exceeding 150 characters each. The TxDelay setting maintains a pause between each line sent.

Version 2.1.1

Added random delay feature to help avoid collisions. TxDelay setting configures maxium delay possible.

Previous Version Updates

Running the d*Chat D-STAR Chat application Once you have installed the .NET Framework and d*Chat application, the following screen should appear:

Program Operation

Click on the Settings menu, the Settings dialog box will appear.
Select the COM port your radio is connected to through the pull-down menu. Default is COM1.
Select the baud rate that is compatible with your radio. U/V82 = 9600, ID-800H = 9600, IC-91AD = 38400, ID-1 in DV mode = 19200, IC-2820 = 9600. See above for more details on your particular radio model.
Replace MYCALL with your own call sign in the Call Sign entry box.
Click on the Connect button to connect to your serial port. The program will transmit "Callsign connected, version=n.n.nn" through your radio.
The port status box next to the Recall button should now contain the message "COMn opened." where n=the number of your COM port.
Type the text you would like to send into the Text to Send entry box and press Send or hit the ENTER/RETURN key on your keyboard. Your text will be sent out the serial port to the attached radio.
Clicking on Quick Send text copies the text to the Text to Send dialog box. Pressing the Send button sends the text.
You may optionally include a time stamp on text received or transmitted by checking the rx or tx timestamp check box.
If you would like to hear an audible beep when a line of text is received, click the Rx Beep checkbox.
The last time a received station is heard is displayed in the Last Heard box on the top of the screen.
To send out a periodic message, check the "Send Periodic QST" checkbox, select an interval from the Minutes pull-down menu, and enter the text to send in the box provided below these menu selections.
Clicking on Disconnect will disconnect the program from your serial port.
The Font button allows you to select a new font that will be used for all displayed text.
Clicking the Save button saves your settings.
Clicking on the Close button closes the dialog box.

Known bugs and issues

RS232 flow-control is not supported; sending long lines often results in truncation.
Web links are not "clickable" from within the receive window.

d*Chat was created using examples presented on the devX web site.