mike@msun.us
Hi there,
When I connect to a local repeater it shows me available rooms.
Now, are ALL these rooms available on OpenSpot? How do these rooms translate to the rooms listed when I connect to a repeater?
Is open spot basically it's own little world with only selected rooms available from the official WiresX network?
Thanks,
-Mike
HA2NON
If the YSFReflector connector is active in the openSPOT2 then you'll see YSFReflector servers listed on your radio's Wires-X button listing. Directly connecting to the Yaesu Wires-X network is not supported, however some of these YSFReflector servers are linked to the Yaesu network.
mike@msun.us
Well, thank's for the answer but it still does not answer my question.
When I look for rooms and compare rooms when I connect to a WiresX repeater and OpenSpot2 there is only a fraction of rooms in OpenSpot2 listed which I can connect to in WiresX.
So, these are my 2 questions - and there is only a YES or NO answer.
Has OpenSpot2 it's own little eco system where people using
WiresX repeaters can not connect
to or see rooms in the OpenSpot environment?
Do you agree that only certain rooms available in WiresX (maybe the most popular rooms) show up in the list in OpenSpot and the rest of rooms showing are only available to people using OpenSpot2?
Looking forward to a straight answer.
Thanks,
HA2NON
No and no. We don't own or operate any Fusion servers. The openSPOT2 supports several protocols which you can use with your Fusion radio. The most popular servers are FCS and YSFReflector servers, which you can use by activating the FCS or the YSFReflector connector in the openSPOT2. The openSPOT2 has no direct access to the proprietary Yaesu Wires-X network.
mike@msun.us
Thanks, that's what I needed to know.
Great product just not for me. There are many rooms in the WiresX network I can not select and that is to bad.
The OpenSpot2 looks good at first, but when you know how it operates exactly and what the limits are not anymore.
HA2NON
The openSPOT2's product description does not mention it can connect to the Yaesu Wires-X network.
The proprietary Yaesu Wires-X network can only be accessed with a Yaesu HRI200, a Yaesu C4FM/Fusion radio, the necessary cables and the Wires-X software running on a Windows PC.
mike@msun.us
Again, thanks for the reply.
Using the YSF mode list's a lot of Rooms/Servers, however the list is not complete.
Where is i.e. the LA-Repeater, Mt. Wilson CA (ID 21042) ? (from Yaesu.com WiresX website)
That is what I'm talking about.
In my opinion the WiresX button is useless in this OS2 mode. See attached pic from my FT-991a
It shows nothing useful to select the right room. Where do I know what "OS2-P1 Default" is?
So if you say the OpenSpot2 is connected to the WiresX servers why can't I see all the rooms?
Also, sorry to go back the the other OM's post a few days ago.
Using the FCS mode in the OS2, the rooms listed here NOT SHOWING WiresX are not accessible when someone does not have a OS2 and connects through a repeater, right?
Thanks,
HA2NON
Please see the user manual:
http://manuals.sharkrf.com/openspot2/en/wires-x-button.html
at the listing servers section: The first 5 entries will be your openSPOT2's configuration profiles. This allows you to easily switch between the openSPOT2 configuration profiles using your radio's menu.
The Wires-X button feature on your Fusion radio is used by your radio to search, list, and store servers using the radio's display. It does not connect to the Wires-X network.
mike@msun.us
Great, let's say I am using YSFReflector.
I am looking i.e. for the Room LA-Repeater ID 21042
When I do a search nothing comes up with that. How do I find these rooms?
HA2NON
There is no YSFReflector server which is named LA-Repeater, so that room is only available on the proprietary Yaesu Wires-X network.
mike@msun.us
Ahh, makes sense.
Can you please tell be briefly why that is that some are there and some are not?
You know, there is NO WHERE I looked so far on the web which explains the technical background of this stuff. This includes questions way beyond OS2 in regards to C4FM/WiresX
The answer "well- YSFRelector and FCS are different" does not cut it for me.
Why there are two?
What can one do the other one does not?
What are the rooms in FCS mode? Why are they not different from the room when I connect to a repeater? Can these rooms be found when I login to a repeater, if yes how?
These and a 100 more I can come up with for the OS2 and without thinking about it to much.
Where do I find detailed information about this?
We are HAM's after all and should ask these questions because if we don't we are not much better than a WhatsApp or Skype user.
Thanks,
HA2NON
Some YSFReflector server owners decided to link their server with a room in the Yaesu Wires-X network. This requires hardware to be bought and maintained.
I don't know why there are FCS and YSFReflector servers. The FCS server software is originally programmed by Torsten DG1HT, and then YSFReflectors popped up by Jonathan G4KLX.
You can basically do the same with both servers.
You can find FCS room names by looking at the openSPOT2 server list. Probably there are Fusion repeaters which are linked to FCS or YSFReflector servers. Ask the repeater admins to find out where the repeater is linked to.
mike@msun.us
Thanks again, that explains some things.
So who are the owners of these servers? SharkRF is not maintaining them them self? What will happen if they decide to tun off the server?
Where I have some issue with is when I connect to a server and I go down the list and lets say want to connect to AmericaLink it shows up in the list (after click on WiresX button then ALL) but it gives me the error "Offline Error" others work. It's a hit and miss. Are some servers more reliable than others?
Does SharkRF operate their own more reliable servers? If so which one?
Also, I just want to be clear on this one. (see Pic)
It says Server, now that connects to someone who links it to a single room? In this case Swiss?
So when I select America link and it tells me "Offline Error" does this mean this server is is not available or the server has no connection to America link?
I looked for other Servers for America link there is one which one says "America Link UK" is this the same than AmericaLink just that the server is in the UK and "reflects" America link?
HA2NON
You can find more information about YSFReflector servers here:
https://register.ysfreflector.de/
FCS info:
http://xreflector.net
These servers are operated by hams.
We do not own or operate any servers.
You can think about a YSFReflector server as a server assigned with one room. FCS servers handle multiple rooms, but you have to select which one you want to use.
Where do you see this offline error message? If the openSPOT2 can't connect then it will display "connector connecting".
I think the "UK" means that this server is located in the UK, but all calls going on the America Link channel from other networks (DMR, P25 etc.) can also be heard. Check the server's dashboard for more information, or ask the server admin if you can find an email address.
HA2NON
One FCS server handles multiple rooms, one YSFReflector server handles only 1 room. You can find out server and room names by looking at the server list in the openSPOT2's web interface.
HA2NON
No. FCS and YSFReflector servers can be accessed from other hotspots or repeaters if they support connecting to them.
HA2NON
You can access FCS and YSFReflector servers using a hotspot (your openSPOT1, openSPOT2, or other hotspot). You can see YSFReflector server numbers in the server list on the openSPOT1/2's web interface. FCS rooms have assigned IDs in the scheme of FCS225 -> FCS server 002, room 25.
Yaesu repeaters are usually linked to the Wires-X network, MMDVM repeaters are usually linked to a YSFReflector server.
vocoder
Maybe this will help. Think of there being three separate networks that support Yaesu System Fusion radios. You will see different rooms depending on which network you – or the repeater – are connect to.
Wires-X
–
This is the official network provided by Yaesu
. This is a closed network. To connect to the official Wires-X network you need a Windows computer running the Wires-X software connected to either a Yaesu HRI-200, or a supported Yeasu System Fusion radio that supports HRI mode. Cross linking rooms from the official Wires-X network to another network is not condoned by Yaesu, but it’s happening. A complete list of available rooms can be seen
here
.
FCS
– Nonoo covered this, “
FCS rooms have assigned IDs in the scheme of FCS225 -> FCS server 002, room 25
”. You can connect to the FCS network using an OpenSPOT or a MMDVM based hotspot. Repeaters can also be connected to the FCS network using a
MMDVM based repeater board
. A complete list of the available rooms can be seen
here
.
YSFReflector
– Nonoo covered this too, “
... one YSFReflector server handles only 1 room”
. You can connect to a YSFReflector using an OpenSPOT or a MMDVM based hotspot. Repeaters can also be connected to a YSFReflector using a
MMDVM based repeater board
. A complete list of the YSFReflectors can be seen
here
.
Again, you will see different rooms depending on which network you – or the repeater – are connect to. Repeater operators usually have a website for the repeater or club that explains which network they're connected to and what rules they expect operators to follow.
N4BKR
Think of the Openspot 2 as another way to connect Fusion radios together. The real issue is that while WiresX is a fantastic system, it requires a lot of equipment in order to support it. So, normally, you would need to access it through a repeater, or through a PDN or HRI node in your home. While operating a node is an outstanding option, you now require at least 2 Yeasu radios, the node software, a windows computer, cabling to connect the node radio, and you have to register with Yaesu in order to set the node up, which can take a few days.
The openspot 2 is more of a device that can provide access with only a cellphone, with the wireless hotspot enabled. You only need one radio, your cellphone, and possibly a battery in order to go completely portable with your fusion radio. In addition, it can cross mode to DMR, P25, and NXDN servers, which will allow for communications to other systems while using only your fusion HT or mobile radio in conjunction with an openspot.
For people who have no access to repeaters in their area, the openspot 2 will allow you to connect to a veritable plethora of rooms that, while not connected to the wiresX network, are busy and can keep you talking until your battery dies without a break. There are probably more people on average connected to ysf and fcs reflectors than are connected to the wiresX network. Plus, the bigger rooms on wiresX, are also connected via fcs and/or ysf connections. Two off the top of my head are America Link and America Rc, which are both pretty much used 24/7 by a bunch of knowlegable and friendly people.
The best option? I would say, do both. Get a node radio, connect it, and use an ht to access the HRI side of the wiresX system. You can control it from the face of the radio, or from a computer. But, additionally, you can also connect an openspot on a different frequency and switch between the two as you would repeaters in your local area, which in essense, they are. From the same radio, you can chat on wiresX, and with a change of frequency, be on dmr on Tac 310. WIth either system you will not run out of people to talk to. With both, you have all kinds of options.
An openspot 2 doesn't replace the wiresX system, but it augments it with capabilities that your fusion radio doesn't come with out of the box. You can do so much more with fusion, and have fun while doing it.