1. Purpose and general idea
Digital networks (D-STAR, DMR, C4FM) are widely used in the amateur radio bands VHF/UHF. Most digital repeaters operate only in digital mode, but the new ICOM ID-RP4xxx series repeaters support mixed mode:
- analog FM
- digital D-STAR (DV)
- automatic mode switching based on the method of opening the repeater
The repeater can operate:
- autonomously
- or with an internet connection via Raspberry Pi
- without the mandatory ID-RP2C controller (it is supported only for compatibility)
This document discusses an example:
- ICOM ID-RP4010V (UHF 430 MHz)
- Raspberry Pi 4
- Pi-Star 4.1.6
- connection of the repeater to Pi via Ethernet (through a USB-Ethernet adapter)
2. Main specifications of the repeater
- Frequencies: VHF / UHF 430 MHz / 1200 MHz
- Power:
- VHF / UHF: 25 W or 1 W
- 1.2 GHz: 10 W or 1 W
- Power selection - using the switch on the front panel
- Setup - via USB from PC
- All parameters are set by the ID-RP3 Utility program
3. What you need
Hardware
- ICOM ID-RP4010V Repeater
- Raspberry Pi 4
- USB-Ethernet adapter (eth1)
- Ethernet cables
- PC with Windows
Software
- ID-RP3 Utility v1.05
- ICOM USB Driver
- Pi-Star 4.1.6
4. Setting up the repeater (PC + ID-RP3)
Step 1. Installing the software
- Install the ICOM USB driver (for your version of Windows).
- Install the ID-RP3 Utility.
- Connect the repeater to the PC using a USB A–B cable.
- Make sure the COM port has appeared.
Step 2. Checking the connection
- Run the ID-RP3 Utility.
- Select the required COM port.
- Menu Program → Information.
- If the module information is displayed, the connection is working.
5. Main repeater settings
5.1 The Common section
Basic parameters are set:
- RX / TX frequencies
- Mode: MIX (Analog + DV)
- Switching Time Analog ↔ DV
- Repeater call sign (for example, F5ZJL B)
- Squelch level
- Local monitoring volume (via 3.5 mm jack)
5.2 The Digital Repeater section
Digital D-STAR parameters:
- Mode: Use Gateway Server
- IP address and UDP port - leave as default
- Do not include all other options
The role of the gateway is performed by the ircddbgatewayd service on Raspberry Pi.
5.3 The Analog Repeater section
FM mode settings:
- Channel width: 15 / 10 / 7 kHz
- Time-out (TOT)
- Release Delay (Hang Time)
- CW or voice ID:
- upon opening
- upon closing
- periodically
- Audio Mixing Levels
- CTCSS / DTCS:
- generation in TX
- decoding in RX
- Tone-Call 1750 Hz (if CTCSS/DTCS is not used)
5.4 The Network section
- DHCP: OFF
- The other parameters - leave unchanged
- NTP enabled (UTC or your time zone)
5.5 Writing the configuration
- Click Write
- Or Program → Write → Repeater
- Confirm the entry
- The repeater is ready for operation.
6. Setting up the Raspberry Pi (Pi-Star)
Step 1. Connecting the USB-Ethernet adapter
- Connect the adapter to the USB port of the Pi.
- In the console, execute: lsusb
The adapter should be detected.
Step 2. Enabling writes to the SD card
- In the console, execute: rpi-rw
Step 3. Backing up the network file
- In the console, execute: cp /etc/network/interfaces /home/pi-star/interfaces
Step 4. Editing the network interfaces
- In the console, execute: sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces
- In the first block (eth0) — comment out the lines (#)
- In the second block (eth1) — specify the parameters as indicated in the original document
- Do not touch the other lines
- Save:
- In the console, execute: Ctrl + O → Enter
- In the console, execute: Ctrl + X
7. Setting up Pi-Star (web interface)
- Go to Configuration
- In the Modem section:
- Controller software: DStarRepeater
- Hardware: Icom Repeater Controller ID-RP2C
- Click Apply Changes
(Despite the name, it works correctly due to backward compatibility)
8. Checking ircDDBGateway
Configuration → Expert
- Open ircDDBGateway
- Check:
- IP address
- UDP ports
- Call sign
- Do not change anything if you do not understand the purpose of the parameter.
9. Final steps
- Connect the repeater and Raspberry Pi with an Ethernet cable:
- repeater → USB-Ethernet (eth1)
- In Pi-Star, execute: Reboot
- After rebooting:
- The repeater must connect to US-TRUST
- and to ircDDB
- the information will appear in the Pi-Star console
10. Result
ICOM ID-RP4010V Repeater:
- operates in analog and digital mode
- connected to the D-STAR network
- ready for installation on a permanent site