Hotspot Setup: Things are different between models

This information came to me from someone who is closer to the internals of DStar so I trust him implicitly with these details. 

Pi-Star based hotspots (WPSD included) REQUIRE a Duplex (plus or minus) with a Zero Offset.  Also, RPT1 will be the user's call sign with a B in the 8the position AND RPT2 can also be the user's call sign with a G in the 8^th position – Treat these hotspots just like repeater programming.

Openspot (all models) straight Simplex. No Offfset, Nothing in RPT1 and RPT2.

Why does the Pi-Star need the Duplex +or- with a zero Offset?

The Pi-Star software uses the DPlus protocol which requires the RPT1 and RPT2 to be sent to a repeater.  If we select Simplex in the programming of a Pi-Star hotspot, it never transmits the RPT1 and RPT2 fields.  To fool it, we program it as if it were a repeater with a duplex setting and zero offset. This causes the D-Star protocol to transmit the RPT1 & RPT2 fields required for Pi-Star and WPSD. 

Openspot works differently with software that does not carry that requirement,  

This means you will need to know about your device to use the DStar calculator to help you set up your channels, 

If you are using an Openspot, select Simplex for the offset.  If using a Pi-Star based hotspot, select Minus or Plus for the offset.  

If you are using an Openspot, do not check complete RPT1 and RPT2 as the device does not need this information.  If you are using a Pi-Star device, check this box to have the programmer complete these fields automatically with all letters in the right space.   Remember to put the user's call sign in the Callsign field for the programmer to complete RPT1 and RPT2 with it.