MMDVM Duplex hat and DStar

[KK4RUT]

Well I am officially stumped. Here’s what I’ve got.

Duplex MMDVM (two antennas)

Raspberry pi B+

Icom Id-51A

When I transmit the “PTT” light on the MMDVM lights up and a light stops at Dstar. However it does not show activity on the reflector. Almost like it isn’t “forwarding” the received signal from my ID-51A to the reflector. However I am able to receive those who are using the reflector.

Here is what I have tried:

Running simplex with a 0 offset

Running duplex

Adjusting the RX/TX offset on the MMDVM with the help of a nano VNA

Checking that the BER is very low (which it shows it is at 0.0 with the pistar calibration tool)

I have tried Repeater info, Echo, Use Reflector, connect/disconnect reflector, and plain CQ CQ CQ.

I have insured that the single letter suffix after my callsign in the from is correct as well as changed it.

upgraded and downgraded MMDVM firmware.

upgraded and downgraded PiStar firmware

tried the use of other reflectors

changed frequencies

put the output power of the HT at the lowest it can go

I have tried reflashing MMDVM firmware

I had tried changing the MMDVM from what the manufacturer paper said to use

I feel like we are close… But now I am at hours of time trying to troubleshoot and my brain is fried.

Any advice, suggestions, or direction would be greatly appreciated.

73,
Zack KK4RUT

[M1DNS]

What are the live logs reporting when you key up?

Sent via smoke signals using my SM-G935F

[KK4RUT]

What are the live logs reporting when you key up?

Sent via smoke signals using my SM-G935F

I am seeing no response from the live logs after transmitting. I only ever see activity based on the MMDVM “PTT” light and via the calibration program.

I did check the HT and make sure the R1, R2, MY, and UR are accurate.

[KK4RUT]

What are the live logs reporting when you key up?

Sent via smoke signals using my SM-G935F

Okay, well I am dumb, I read “live logs” and thought the dashboard. Not the actual live logs.

The live logs show:

Dstar, invalid access attempt from KK4RUT

[KK4RUT]

Alright! I finally figured it out!!!!!! I have spent HOURS trying to get this to work!

Final solution:

I checked the Callsign on my ID-51A and for some reason there was 2 spaces in front of my Callsign. I simply deleted them and it works! I’ve used this little HT for almost 10 years and I never had a problem with those spaces on a Dstar repeater.

But now I heave a high sigh of relief!

[G8SEZ]

Out of interest, have you every updated the firmware in the ID-51?

It may well be worth it if you have not.