Figured this might be of interest to some on this group.

Bryan Fields does bring up a valid point on the allstar-digital mailing list;
"I'm wondering, why not fund the development of Free Software that would do
this on the host CPU?"

------------- Forwarded Message -------------
6 Channel USB AMBE Transcoder Kickstarter Has Started
John D. Hays john at hays.org
Thu Dec 14 13:04:16 EST 2017

I am pleased to announce the launch of a Kickstarter for a 6 Channel USB
AMBE device
<https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/985312845/6-channel-usb-ambe-transcoder-for-digital-voice-sy>
which is compatible with the XLX Reflector System. The XLX system creates
reflectors for the DCS, DExtra, and DPLUS systems and also supports
integration with DMR.

To transcode AMBE+ (D-STAR) and AMBE+2 (DMR/YSF/dPMR/NXDN/P25-Phase 2/...)
requires a hardware solution. This can be accomplished using pairs of
ThumbDVs or other USB based AMBE-3000 devices.

Reflector systems may have multiple reflectors (A-Z) that require
transcoding simultaneously, which requires multiple streams available and
that is where the XCode-3006 comes to the rescue.

The folks behind the XLX system designed a board that can provide up to 6
streams on a single USB port and it is in operation now at XLX950
(XRF950/DCS950/...) which is using the board to cross connect with DMR.

NW Digital Radio is running a Kickstarter to fund an initial build of 50 of
these units. 50 units is the minimum production run in order to keep costs
down.

This is where you can help:

If you run a reflector, you can obtain a XCode-3006 via a pledge on the
Kickstarter at one of two levels.

If you use a reflector, you can help the operator of that reflector by
helping them obtain a XCode-3006 via the kickstarter.

If you just like the idea of a six channel AMBE transcoder, and want to
help out, there are pledge levels for supporters like you.

This can only happen if we meet the funding goal set for the Kickstarter,
and we only have 30 days to reach it.

Having this board available opens the opportunity for other projects such
as:

Analog <--> DV Gateways (eg. Allstar, Echolink, ... to your favorite DV
system)
DV --> Analog Streaming for online monitoring of DV systems
...

The link to the Kickstarter is:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/985312845/6-channel-usb-ambe-transcoder-for-digital-voice-sy

------------------------------
John D. Hays
Edmonds, WA
K7VE