D-RATS

D-RATSNot Just for D-STAR radios

Based on a presentation by

Debbie Fligor, N9DNTCARC meeting

3/9/2010

Presented at 2011 Orlando Hamcation by:

John Davis, WB4QDXGeorgia D-STAR

Morphed by:Cary Beuershausen

Duval County Emergency Coordinator

Overview

•What is D-RATS?

•Why use D-RATS?

•What can D-RATS do?

•How do I setup D-RATS?

•Where do I get more info?

What is D-RATS?•A multi-platform communications package

written by Dan Smith, KK7DS, in python/GTK

•Windows (2000 or later)

•Mac OS X

•Linux

•Emergency Communications tool

•distribute data reliably

•Internet to RF gateway (and back again)

•Mapping program/position reporting system

Why use D-RATS?•Works on multiple interfaces•D-STAR radio•Internet reflector•KISS-mode TNC•DV-Dongle

•Traffic routing•Manual•Automatic•WinLink2000 interface

Why use D-RATS?

•Simple familiar interface•Large number of features available•Email (internet and RF)•Memos•ICS, radiogram and custom forms•Chat window•File transfer

Data In An Emergency

• Fast, error-free transfer of electronic records

• Situation status reports

• Resource requests

• Patient manifests

• Pictures of damage

• Quiet operation

• Put radio operators directly in an EOC

• Field stations in noisy environments

• Integrated logging of messages with times and dates

What can D-RATS do?

•Messages

•Chat

•Files

•Forms

•Email

•Event Log

•Map View

Messages•Forms

• Common forms included

• Custom forms can be developed

• Includes printable versions

• Layouts can be shared (XML files)

•Attachments

•Automatic and manual forwarding

•Familiar inbox/outbox/sent/trash

•File broadcast (to all stations)

Messages

Chat

•Mostly like IM/texting/IRC

•“Ping” function to see who is online

•Station heard list, with mouse-over info

•Can see multiple interfaces at the same time

•This is where to find the NCS station

Chat

Files

• See your local files that others can connect and access

• Connect to other stations

• Upload

• Download

• Uses the integrated data subchannel

• Send any arbitrary file

Files

• Instead of reading a document over voice, send it exactly in its natural form

• Interactive image resize and resample

• Compresses files where possible for speed

• Resume interrupted transfers

Files

Forms

• Quick fillable forms that can be sent to other stations

• Fillable for quick access

• Smaller than an equivalent office document

• Printable view that mimics paper form format

• Recreate any agency form with integrated builder

• Use the form that the served agency is used to

• Create event-specific forms for efficiency

• Pass forms easily from station to station tracked with a transfer record

Forms

Email

• Send and receive email from D-RATS station

• Any station with internet access can be a gateway

• Provide gateway access to RF stations with no other infrastructure

• Easy to setup in an event

• Requires only an internet connection and email account

• Contact served agencies or out-of-area stations through the nearest internet node

Email

Event Log

•Provides log of activities

•See ping responses

•Monitor file transfers

•Monitor form transfers

Event Log

Map View•Position tracking•Moving stations updated in real-

time•Captures and sends ICOM GPS

strings•Can add fixed points to the map•Distance and direction calculation•Internet based free map data

included•Can use external GPS while on

radio

Map View

Positional Awareness

• Integrated position reporting

• Integrated mapping

• Distance/bearing calculation to any station

• External GPS support for moving stations

• Use a D-STAR radio with an integrated or external GPS

• IC-2820H, IC-92AD have integrated GPS options

• Other ICOM radios can use any serial NMEA GPS

How do I setup D-RATS?

•Preferences panel has all configuration

•Allows use “radio-less” or configure for multiple radios

•“Connected to Internet” separate checkbox in the menu options

• Tells D-RATS you can fetch and send internet email (if configured)

How do I setup D-RATS?

How do I setup D-RATS?

Choosing your connection method

•Three methods can inter connect

• D-STAR radio (plug and play)

• DV Dongle (to other Dongle or D-STAR)

• Internet (needs a RF to internet reflector to interconnect)

•TNC can talk to another D-RATS TNC user (AX.25 protocol to be added for digipeating)

Choosing your connection method

Where do I get more info?

•http://www.d-rats.com

•drats_users email list link found there

•Beta download site has later versions

•FAQ, instructions, and help files available

It’s Demo Time!