The D-RATS network proxy is a tool that allows users to connect over a network instead of an RF link.  It can also be bridged to RF, but that is not a requirement.  The network proxy behaves just like an RF network, except that everyone is in range, has perfect copy on everyone else, and doesn't require a radio.  To configure D-RATS for a network connection, you give it an network address and port number instead of a serial port name and baud rate.

 

A ratflector is a publicly-available instance of the D-RATS network proxy, which allows people to connect, converse, test, and train without needing to gather a bunch of local D-STAR owners and D-RATS users to do it.  Currently there are two public ratflectors run by the author of D-RATS.  When people refer to "the ratflector" they're usually talking about one of these two instances.

 

Since the ratflector creates an environment that looks just like an RF network, you can use it to test D-RATS for your own purposes, or to train a group of people without needing to set up multiple radios, antennas, etc.  It can be used for local  classroom-style training, or trans-nation practice.  Use of the ratflector for training and discussion nets is encouraged and permission is not required to conduct this sort of activity.

To use D-RATS on the ratflector, you need to tell it the network name and port that you want to connect to.  Since version 0.3.0, D-RATS has had the capability of connecting to multiple devices at the same time.  This means that you can maintain a connection to your local repeater by attaching your D-STAR radio and a connection to the ratflector simultaneously.  Be advised that if you do this, you will need to tell D-RATS where you want something like a chat message to be sent, once there are multiple options.

 

To get started, open D-RATS and go to File -> Preferences.  Within the preferences dialog, click on the Radio section which will display the currently-configured devices.  If you have an entry here for your local radio, leave it.  You may choose to disable it while working with the ratflector, but it's perfectly acceptable to remain connected to both.

 

 

 

Click the Add button to add a new path.  On the resulting box, enter a short Name that will identify this port, such as "RAT" or "Ratflector" or "Network".  For the Type choose "network".  In the Host Address box, put ref.d-rats.com (or another hostname if not connecting to one of the official machines).  The Port should be either 9000 or 9001 for the public machines (depending on which you want to connect to).  If you're unsure of which one you want to connect to, try 9000 first.

 

 

 

When you're done click the Add button to save the new path and then hit Save to save your preferences.  At this point, you should be connected to the ratflector.

So, now you're connected to the ratflector...what's next?  The first thing you probably want to do is find out who is connected.  To do this, right-click in the Stations bar on the right-hand side of the screen and choose Ping all stations.  NOTE that this will ping all stations on all connected paths, so if you still have your radio connected it will transmit a broadcast ping packet.

 

 

 

Within a few seconds, you should start getting replies from stations that are connected to the ratflector.  They will show up in the Stations side-bar.  If you hover your mouse over the entries, an information bubble will tell you which port they're connected to and what their status is.

 

At this point, you probably want to put out a chat message to see if you can get someone to talk to you.  On the Chat

tab, make sure that your port is set to the name that you gave your ratflector connection.

Type a chat message in the box and hit enter.  If anyone is paying attention to their screen, they will reply to you.  Don't be discouraged if you don't get a response.  Many people stay connected all the time but don't always watch for new chat messages.