NZ C4FM ZL (YCS530) Server

C4FM System Fusion II Multiprotocol Server

YCS was developed to support the various protocols that are available for the exchange of C4FM streams. The new System Fusion II IMRS (Internet-linked Multi-site Repeater System) protocol which is available for the new DR-2X YAESU-Repeater is also supported. This makes it possible to combine Repeaters and HOTSPOTS in one server.

Supported Hardware

  • YAESU DR-2X Repeaters
  • MMDVM YSFGateway by Jonathan G4KLX
  • PIStar by Manuel EA7EE (DG-ID FULLY SUPPORTED)
  • PIStar by Andy MW0MWZ (DG-ID NOT SUPPORT)
  • DV4Mini by DG1HT
  • OpenSpotby SharkRF
  • JumboSpot and many more

Supported Protocols

A solution for connecting repeater bridges and hotspots using the C4FM / Yaesu Fusion 2 amateur radio digital protocol with excellent operational quality and customized configurations. It is a project developed by Kurt OE1KBC. YCS530 is hosted by Daniel Erickson ZL4DE.

Here in New Zealand, the reference server is YCS530 and is interconnected with the BrandMeister 530 network and the DMRPlus network for a complete and widespread presence on the territory. This C4FM reflector is available to all amateur radio members and allows you to simplify connection management through a single and practical dashboard. Furthermore, if someone wants to do without managing their own YSF reflector, they can now easily rely on this system to continue normal operation with the new resources available.

The YCS world reflectors are interconnected, so it is easily possible to make foreign QSOs as is already the case for the DMR and DSTAR world. Let us see in detail the operating procedures.

  • REPEATER: connected repeaters and hotspots.
  • DVMatrix: Here you can see DG-ID groups being passed to other YCS servers (similar to interlinks with DMR and D-STAR).
  • ACTIVITY: last stations listened to
  • DG-ID: the available DG-ID groups. The X indicates that the corresponding DG-ID group is permanently connected to the respective repeater / hotspot.
  • DG-ID-LIST: list of DG-ID groups with their descriptions.
  • GROUP: the “Group” column shows the fixed DG-ID groups (a kind of Talkgroup statically in the DMR world).
  • RX / TX: QSOs in progress are displayed in green (origin) and orange (destination). After a transmission there is 30 second protection (displayed in blue) against raid so that the repeater / hotspot continues to receive on the previously used DG-ID group and not on another DG-ID.
  • MODE: DN / VW mode. Please ALWAYS use DN on your radio.
  • DG-ID: name of the DG-ID group.
  • TYPE: System (protocol) with which the repeater / hotspot is connected: DR-2X / IMRS, YSF, FCS
  • DG-ID numbers with yellow background: DG-ID numbers that can be manually selected (on demand) but cannot be activated permanently. Duration of the request: 10 minutes. It can be deactivated instantly by sending the TX DG-ID 00 (ZERO ZERO)

Who can we QSO with on YCS530 All digital amateur radio systems are very dynamic, this means that changes and new implementations and interconnections can be present frequently.To see “who we can talk to” you need to see the

Matrix section

To give some examples, the connection in YSF mode (ID DTMF # 53001) is combined with Group 53 (DG-ID 53) which corresponds to INZ. BrandMeister is connected to this Group (through TG 530) and TG 530 of the NZ DMR + network (IPSC2-ZL & Trbo RPTR servers). A great opportunity to do QSO!!

And if we want to talk to foreign countries (eg Spain) in C4FM? By simply selecting the relevant Group (DG-ID), as shown in the matrix displayed on the worldwide collector / server that collects the flows of all WW systems. The affected Group must be present on the source and destination servers.

Each server, in its DG-ID LIST section, shows the active and usable Groups:

and, in the Interlink section, the list of connections (TG) with the DMR world through the IPSC2 servers:

How to connect to YCS530

YAESU FUSION 2 repeaters connect directly to the server through their software, set DG-ID 9 as base (unassigned). Communicate the repeater information to the reflector manager so that information such as frequency, location, etc. is displayed in the dashboard. Using the Pi-Star software, for MMDVM systems (repeaters and hotspots) select the connection from the drop-down menu of the available C4FM rooms, for example, FCS530-53 to connect YCS530 and Group 53. See below the connection to ZL multiprotocol in YSF mode:

At the time of writing this article, the “official” Pi-Star does not allow the sending of DG-IDs (digital tones) received by Yaesu devices. Pending this next implementation, the connection to Group 53 (NZ) is provided by default in YSF mode. Therefore, on any C4FM / YSF MMDVM repeater or hotspot it is possible to send DTMF tones # 53001 (after activating the Wires-X connection to the system – see the manual of your device -, the repeater responds “connected”) and we will be connected to YCS530 Group 53. Otherwise, it is always possible to select the “room” from the drop-down menu of the Pi-Star:

Dashboard address http://ycs530.xreflector.net/ycs/#

Daniel Erickson ZL4DE

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