Essex Ham Chat Forum

SENDING PICTURES AND TEXT MESSAGES WITH YOUR D-STAR RADIOS

Every Wednesday  at 7:30 PM (MDT)  = Thursday at 01.30UTC - D-Star Picture Net on REF072D w/REF055D backup. The RS-MS1A Android App (available in Google Play) users with the ID-31A PLUS, ID-51A PLUS (anniversary model) and 51A Plus2, IC-705, ID-4100, ID-5100, and IC-7100 radios will need the OPC2350LU data cable. If the Bluetooth module is installed in the 4100 and 5100 then the cable is not needed. The RS-MS1l App (available in iTunes Store) for iOS users can also be used with the ID-4100 radio only. The IC-9700 users are welcome and encouraged to join too. We will be exchanging pictures, text messages, and positional information.

There is a free Windows app, ST-4001W from ICOM and ST-4001A (available on Google Play) that processes any .jpg or .png picture to the right pixel size and can add a signature or label to the edge. You can use the ST-4001 app to send the formatted picture over ethernet to the radio *or* just copy it into the /IC9700/Pictures folder on the IC-9700 formatted microSD card or to the Android device. Once the photos you want are copied, you can just plug the microSD back into the 9700 radio. The new pictures are then available to send from the choices that are available when the PICTURE menu is opened on the radio.

Here is how we rate the pictures on the net. It depends on how many blocks are missing in the received picture.

P-1= Perfect picture

P-1 Minus= 1-5 blocks missing

P-2= less than 25% of blocks missing

P-3= less than 50% of blocks missing

P-4= less than 75% of blocks missing

P-5= No picture

After the picture has been sent the net control will poll each check in by voice to get a picture report at their location. 

The Kenwood D74 handheld will work with the RS-MS1A Android App. First pair the handheld with the Android device via the radios Bluetooth. Start the App and go to the Application Settings. Tap to select a transceiver model. Select Other (Bluetooth) then close. 

The format for this net is much like a voice net in that check ins will be taken and then the NCS will direct when the stations will send their pictures.

73,
Lew, KB5HPT