[arm-allstar] Update version 1.3 BBB/RPi2 now in testing

[Robert Conklin]

Absolutely fantastic Doug, thank you!
On Jan 9, 2016 1:44 PM, "Doug Crompton" <doug at crompton.com> wrote:

> I am pleased to announce that version 1.3 of the BBB and RPi2 images are
> now in Alpha testing. The 1.3 versions will bring the BBB and RPi2 to the
> same level of updates and code capability. This update will also mark a
> split in the code. The 1.x versions will continue with maintenance updates
> as needed but a new 2.x version will be appearing in 2016. The 2.x versions
> will mark a very significant branch from the current code including a
> completely different code concept and many new features and capabilities.
> More on that will be coming out soon. The 1.x versions are considered
> stable and will be supported into the future during transition to the 2.x
> code. Here is a list of significant changes for version 1.3 -
>
> Both the BBB and RPi2 have been updated to 4.x kernels and all associated
> software has been updated.
>
> New app_rpt.c changes:
>
>  - Removed obsolete uchameleon code (about 2500 lines).
>
>       This is obsolete hardware.
>
>  - Added COS timeout, with COS flap suppression (new rx_timeout,
> rx_cosflap  rpt.conf parameters)
>
>       This is an attempt at eliminating single node hangups of connected
> networks. Often a single node,
>       due to radio or interface failure, can cause a COS hangup tying up
> an entire network. If the timeout
>       is set COS is monitored and the indication of asserted COS to the
> network is dropped if the time is
>       exceeded. The COS timeout is set in the same way as a TX timeout.
> The COS unasserted indication to
>       the network will remain until the hardware COS is cleared. COSFLAP
> can also be set and will attempt
>       to catch conditions where a squelch is "flapping" by not resetting
> the timer during this condition and
>       allowing the timeout period to proceed.
>
>  - Added telemetry gain levels (new telemnomdb rpt.conf parameter)
>
>      This will allow a level adjustment of telemetry (connect, disconnect,
> etc.) messages. The level
>      change is in dB like the Echolink level adjustments. This will
> eliminate the need to change the
>      level of audio files.
>
>  - Added telemetry ducking (AKA: Allison ducking) (new telemduckdb
> rpt.conf parameter)
>
>     This optionally reduces telemetry levels when a voice signal is
> present.
>
>  - Changed tx timeout variable name from totime to tx_timeout (the old
> variable is deprecated,
>     but still works after printing a console warning)
>
>     This was done to avoid the confusion between TX and RX timeouts. TX
> timeout is applied only
>     to the local transmitter. It is often in addition to a TX timeout that
> is set at a longer time in the
>     radio itself ensuring double protection for a hung transmitter. The RX
> timeout, added in this
>     update, would normally be set slightly longer than the TX timeout to
> offer the same protection
>     to the network from a COS hardware failure.
>
> New core Asterisk changes:
>
> - Removed need to recompile to enable/disable RADIO_RELAX
>
>    This command when on reduces the DTMF decode requirements but can also
> cause DTMF "Falsing"
>    RADIO _RELAX is OFF by default and has been in ALL BBB and RPi2
> compiles.  This command
>    previously required a menuselect change and recompile to enable. It is
> now added as a runtime
>    option in the simpleusb.conf and usbradio.conf files.
>
>    IMPORTANT NOTE - this command should be used with caution and NEVER
> used indiscriminately.
>    It loosens the  DTMF decoding requirements but also can cause voice
> "falsing" which can severely
>    effect the audio. The "falsing" causes muting that sounds like
> dropouts. In 99.9% of cases you do
>    not need to enable this command. Proper pre/de-emphasis and level
> settings solve most all DTMF
>    problems and should always be the first thing tried. I have run with
> this off in all the time I have
>    used Allstar and never had a problem. In all but one case so far, that
> I know of, using the
>    BBB/RPi2 images DTMF issues have been solved with proper settings. So
> be aware that this
>    command can potentially cause as many problems as it might solve.
>
>  New chan_simpleusb.c changes:
>
>  - Added code to resolve annoying variable transmitted audio delay
>
>    This has plagued simpleusb on all platforms since it was added to the
> ACID code. It is more prevalent
>    on the small boards and especially the RPi2.  The symptoms generally
> only appear when Allstar
>    is used on a repeater. A user would hear their own voice for a few
> syllables or a word after
>    unkeying. This update totally fixes the problem and the delay through
> the system is now constant
>    and short in length.
>
>    The delay elimination update has been in beta testing on several
> repeaters for the last month
>    with excellent results.
>
> Other updates
>
>  - Cleaned up all compiler warnings. in app_rpt.c and chan_simpleusb both
> now compile cleanly,
>    no warnings at all.  Added flags to allow compiles using new gcc for
> new and old versions of the
>    code
>
>  - The weather scripts are updated to "work around" the loss of Google
> voice.
>
>  - With the kernel update the BBB now has GPIO capability for external
> control like the RPi2.
>
> While these are the significant changes in 1.3 there are other programs
> and scripts added and updated.
> There may be more options added and further updates before the release
> date and a complete listing
> will be available at that time.
>
> Many thanks to Dave, KB4FXC and Chris, W0ANM for these updates.
>
> I am hoping we can move this to distribution by the end of January early
> February time frame.
>
> 73, Doug
> WA3DSP
>
>
>
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>
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>
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>
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