[aprssig] OT: DV Dongle a D-Star codec on USB.

[John Habbinga]

You can build a D-STAR radio yourself.  Yes you have to buy a chip
from a specific company, but that's not unusual in electronics.  There
are all kinds of processors and integrated circuits that are patented
and only available from one source.  Sometimes they'll stop making an
IC and you have to redesign or discontinue your product.  I'm sure
that's never happened to you.

If you want to homebrew a D-STAR radio, you should check out
http://www.moetronix.com/dstar/