DROID-Star

After talking to a friend just to the north of me, he told me about the app DROID-Star for Android. As I only have apple devices, this wasn’t initially an option for me, however I do have an Android TV box which I use for Amateur Radio, so will review it from that device.

At the time of writing this review, I must state it is an Early Access version. It has been updated slightly since.

This app connects to D-Star and Yaesu System Fusion reflectors and repeaters via UDP and decodes audio and data in software. No AMBE hardware is required. It is written by Doug McLain.

Start screen to DROID-Star

The two option menus at the top of the screen allow you to Reload DMR IDs, Reload host files, and check the current version. I recommend reloading these.

From here you have the following options:

  • Mode – select what mode you want, this could be REF, XRF, DCS, YSF, DMR, P25 or NXDN.
  • Before pressing connect, select your Host, and fill in the other details.

Once working you will be able to listen into the room you select and it will display the call sign and even caller ID (if there is one), on the user that is transmitting.

As I said earlier, this app will no doubt be updated. I will try and keep this review updated as the app changes, but this may not be possible. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed. If there are other apps you would like us to look at or think we should know about, please let me know. Don’t forget to subscribe to our posts by putting in your email address on the above follow us page.

I also spoke to Doug AD8DP, who wrote this app, and he said to mention that the app is very much in beta development stage. He plans on users being able to add custom reflectors/servers and so on. He also wants to add TX ability with the choice between on board software IMBE/AMBE encoding or remote AMBE server. He also said to me that he APK installer file can be downloaded directly here for Amazon Fire users and others without access to the Google Play Store: http://www.dudetronics.com/radio/DroidStar.apk

Another site is here (it keeps changing): https://napkforpc.com/apk/org.dudetronics.droidstar/?fbclid=IwAR2S2Xmi-WZBcseYtkk0oNJkj7t-xPXTLblR5LKfzE_VL-DU67bvCyRh5-4

UPDATE:

I have now heard many people use this app with great ease. The biggest question I have had is what is the password. Just put in your DMR network username and password.

One of the good rooms is YSF with Host 0-0-CQ-UK-Aussie. Then again, I am from downunder, but you might hear me on this one.

Please post and questions or comments below. Or join the discussion at https://groups.io/g/DroidStar

If you enjoyed this read, please don’t forget to subscribe to our page so you get updates every time we post new updates.

Using DMR with DROID-Star

I have found most people struggle to use this app on DMR. DMR requires a few other options to be set as other networks do not need all these filled out correctly or at all.

After you have installed the software, go to settings area and put in the following. First put in your call sign then your DMR ID number. If you don’t have one, then you will need to get one.

You should then update the ESSID number other than blank. If it is a second radio, I use 2.

Then put in your Password that you put in for your BrandMeister account. If your unsure what that is, go to BrandMeister Self Care area and set it again.

Once the above has been done, click on ‘Update Hosts” then “Update ID files”, and this will make sure everything is updated.

Then return to the main screen and change the mode to DMR. Change the host to BM_3102_United_States (for example, this can be changed later). Then enter the talk group you want to go to adn press the connect button. Press the big blue button and start testing.

I suggest you test it on a quiet talk group and if you have another radio, listen to what you sound like. Adjust the mic gain as often this can be set to high. You don’t want to test it on a very busy talk group – it only upsets people.

Just remember, DROID-Star is being made by a volunteer, so updates will come in time. Currently it is really important you check your audio first as it can be very clear you are using a PC and not a radio.

Hope this has helped. Please let me know. Below are some other interesting reads you may enjoy also.

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31 thoughts on “DROID-Star

  1. leonard November 30, 2020 / 12:05 pm

    Hello, I have a problem by first installing, i type in my dmr number, than i was asked to put in a password…., how do i get this password ?
    pleas help

    Like

    • Ben December 1, 2020 / 8:30 am

      Great question. Will see if I can find out, though it is not my program. I must have got one from somewhere.

      Like

    • Peter December 22, 2020 / 10:31 pm

      I used my BrandMeister password.

      Like

  2. Dave December 13, 2020 / 3:48 pm

    I’m having the same problem, I need to know what to put in the ESSID & Password fields. And with the new update, do I need to add anything to the new DMR+Opts field.

    Like

    • Mark Felton November 5, 2021 / 7:43 pm

      ESSID I just put in 01. Password you need to register with brandmeister go for brandmeister. I think you can just use password for most others.

      Like

  3. Albert December 16, 2020 / 9:30 am

    Hello boss
    Im trying to configure the DMR on your Droid-Star but I have a doubt
    Could you please let me know what should I write in the ESSID ?
    Thanks in advance
    Albert EA3AVS

    Like

    • Ben December 18, 2020 / 5:05 am

      Hi Albert, This is a great question. I didn’t have much trouble doing it at first, but wonder if something has gone wrong with this app. Just so you know, it is not my app, and I don’t know much more than what I wrote, but wanted to share my experiance to help others with this app. Will let you know when / If I am able to find out.

      Like

    • Peter December 22, 2020 / 10:54 pm

      Anything in between 00-99. Assign a different ESSID number to each unit.

      Like

  4. Mark December 28, 2020 / 3:31 pm

    I have a droid pixel 2. Using DMR I get continuous pings but never connect. I have a brandmeister password and am pinging on all 3 US and Canada but never connect.

    Like

    • Ben December 28, 2020 / 8:41 pm

      Sorry to hear Mark. Maybe RE-install and try a non US network. It worked first go for me and most people. Have you tried YSF network?

      Like

      • Mark Felton December 28, 2020 / 9:23 pm

        I got my pixel 2 to work. I had to key the mike (transmit button) to connect DMR. I needed a brandmeister password to hookup on US. Thanks for the response.

        Like

      • Ben December 29, 2020 / 2:28 am

        Glad you got a bit further mate. Will listen out for you on the air!

        Like

  5. Mark Felton December 29, 2020 / 4:37 pm

    Can droid star be set up for a hotspot frequency?

    Like

    • Ben December 29, 2020 / 8:18 pm

      Not sure it will do that

      Like

  6. Ross Bonney December 31, 2020 / 11:44 pm

    Thanks Ben for accepting me into your system Ross

    Like

    • Ben January 1, 2021 / 1:02 am

      Hey Ross. It isn’t our system but it is a great one. Thanks for letting us know what you think of it.

      Like

      • Ross January 1, 2021 / 8:23 am

        Thanks Ben for the reply email and I still have to learn what to do but I do find it very interesting.

        Like

      • Ben January 1, 2021 / 8:45 am

        That is part of the fun of the hobby mate, always something to learn or explore. Hope my site helps a little. Happy new year mate.

        Like

  7. Mauro Calderini January 3, 2021 / 2:37 pm

    Buon Pomeriggio, sono qua per chiedere spiegazione, ho notato sulla stanza XRF non appare il tasto grande del TX (PTT) forse faccio qualcosa di sbagliato?
    GRAZIE IL Vostro Lavoro
    73 de IK0YUK Mauro

    Like

  8. Bengt January 3, 2021 / 3:18 pm

    Hi, and all the best for 2021! Any thoughts about possibility to add a PTT bluethooth BUTTON ! Like you can add to ZELLO! Would be great to have. //Bengt

    Like

  9. Brian Pietrzyk January 5, 2021 / 6:04 pm

    I’ve just learned about Droid-Star. Android is not my primary platform so my knowledge is weak. I have 3 Android devices, 2 tablets and a phone. All are a good 7 or more years old and droid-star is not pulling up in the Play store on any of my devices.

    Does anyone know what the minimum level of Android is to run droid-star?

    These are the versions I have at the moment:

    Toshiba AT3000SE Tablet. ver 4.1.1. Kernel 3.1.10
    Samsung GT-N5110 tablet. ver 4.4.2. Kernel 4.4.2
    Samsung GT-S7560 Phone. ver 4.0.4. Kernal 3.0.8

    I’m guessing I need to acquire a newer device to run droid-star?

    ve3bwp

    Like

    • Ben January 5, 2021 / 10:05 pm

      Good question. Not sure myself. Hopefully someone can answer

      Like

      • franco January 6, 2021 / 12:21 pm

        i also have the same problem with android 4.4.2 tablet droid star does not appear in the play store and i hope they implement the possibility of ptt recognition as the other zello app

        Like

    • EB1MM March 8, 2021 / 11:31 am

      5.0

      Like

  10. Roberto De Florio April 27, 2021 / 10:18 am

    Hi. I have managed to connect ut when I talk it says NOT LINKED

    Like

  11. Truckie60 December 6, 2021 / 5:51 am

    I have had droid star working ok but when it updated i have had problems and I downloaded the vocoder plugin and loaded it into droid star on my android phone and it works very well with the plugin loaded but as soon as i go out of the droid star the vododer plugin drops out but when I want to use it again it will load back in not a problem.I would like to know is there away that it can be saved into the phone so I don’t have to reload it evrerytime I use the app.Any help would be appreciated thanks.
    Ross VK7WP

    Like

  12. Ross December 6, 2021 / 6:00 am

    Just a note at the heading of my question I used truckie for a nick name because i use to drive trucks but not anymore I have been retired for 12 years now and I see I should have put my name there sorry about that it shoud have been Ross.

    Like

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