Contents

  1. General
    1. Can I use a COM port other than the ones listed?
    2. What is the D-RATS repeater?
    3. What is the map downloader?
    4. Can I use both the ''d-rats ''and the ''repeater'' applications on the same host?
    5. What baud rate should I choose?
  2. Troubleshooting
    1. The radio does not transmit when I try to send a message
    2. When I go into the map, I get a black screen with "No data" icons
    3. When I go into the map, all I see is blue
    4. What do I do if I think I've found a bug or a problem?

General

Can I use a COM port other than the ones listed?

Yes! Although the common ports are listed in the drop-down box, you can type in any port you like. For example, on Windows just choose COM1 and change the 1 to the number you need.

What is the D-RATS repeater?

The repeater application isn't really much of a repeater. It's used to allow users of D-RATS to connect to a radio over a network. It can be used without a radio for training purposes or without network users as a sort of poor-man's digipeater.

What is the map downloader?

The map downloader is not needed during general operation of D-RATS. Normally, when you open the map in D-RATS, map images are fetched from the internet automatically as needed. Since this would not be possible "in the field", the map downloader application is provided to allow you to pre-fetch map images for your location before you disconnect.

Can I use both the ''d-rats ''and the ''repeater'' applications on the same host?

Yes you can! Firstly configure the repeater application to correctly use your radio and to accept connections from the Internet. Secondly, configure the d-rats client to point to net:127.0.0.1:9000 instead of the serial port your radio is connected to. Port 9000 is the default port and can be change if so desired.

What baud rate should I choose?

If you're using a mobile radio, choose 9600. If you're using a handheld, choose 38400.

Troubleshooting

The radio does not transmit when I try to send a message

There are a couple of possible reasons for this:

  1. You don't have your COM port and/or baud rate set correctly

  2. Your radio is not set for Automatic Data TX. This is off by default in most radios. Enable it in the DV set mode.

  3. Make sure that GPS mode is disabled

When I go into the map, I get a black screen with "No data" icons

In order to load the map images, you must be connected to the internet and D-RATS must be set accordingly. Further, you will want to have your latitude and longitude set in the main settings dialog (or an external GPS connected if you have one). Check the following:

  1. Latitude and Longitude (or external GPS) settings
  2. Internet connectivity

  3. The internet toggle in D-RATS (In the File menu, make sure that Connected to internet is checked)

When I go into the map, all I see is blue

Make sure your latitude and longitude are set correctly in the main settings. If you don't have an external GPS connected (with a good satellite lock), make sure that the external gps toggle is unchecked in the main settings.

What do I do if I think I've found a bug or a problem?

The best thing you can do is reproduce the issue and capture it in a debug log. Ideally, you should keep the debug log as concise as possible by starting D-RATS fresh, reproducing the problem, and immediately capturing the log. The general steps involved are:

  1. Figure out what actions cause the problem. Examples are: "Every time I try to send a form to station XYZ, the transfer fails" or "When I send file ABC D-RATS crashes".
  2. Close D-RATS if it's running
  3. Start D-RATS fresh
  4. Reproduce the problem (do whatever it takes to manifest the bug)

  5. Go to Help->Show Debug Log to display the log in a text editor

  6. Save the log somewhere you'll remember

  7. Email the log to the D-RATS mailing list with an explanation of the problem

FrequentlyAskedQuestions (last edited 2009-02-08 03:41:30 by KI4IFW)