[arm-allstar] Update version 1.3 BBB/RPi2 now in testing (Doug Crompton)

Thu Jan 28 15:08:29 EST 2016

I don't see the Ebay link?

On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 1:53 PM AD2DX <ad2dx at ad2dx.us> wrote:

> Folks,
> I just wanted to drop a quick note in here, that I ordered 4 of the
> BargainCableUSA USB FOBS from the Ebay link below, and they in fact DO NOT
> have a blob on the boards, so they’re perfect for modifying them to be used
> as a USB radio interface. The cost in lots of 4 were $2.55 each US dollars.
>
> Next, I will modify them using the Howto “A Simplified USB Sound FOB
> Modification” on Doug’s Hamvoip.org <http://hamvoip.org> web site.
> 73,
> Joe - AD2DX
>
>
>
> On Jan 11, 2016, at 2:34 AM, Doug Crompton <doug at crompton.com> wrote:
>
> Mitch,
>
> I guess you are using the ebay link from the web page? That is
> bargaincablesusa. We bought 30 in December and a sampling of them show all
> non blob. If you bought directly from the bargaincableusa site that might
> be the problem. They do sell different models.
>
> Here is the link for the part that should be good -
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/291156304476
>
> I see you are not US and perhaps that is the problem Maybe someone could
> mail you them from the US or you could contact the company and explain what
> you want.
>
> On a side note on this we are looking at NOT using the main board GPIO at
> this time but rather using a usb to serial adapter for the I/O bits. This
> is a cheap solution as usb to serial converters are very inexpensive. You
> would use an unmodified FOB and a USB to serial interface for I/O. You
> would still need to build a little bit of interface - a FET, diode, couple
> of caps and resistors but this gets around having to mess with connections
> to the main board.
>
> I say not at this time for board GPIO but we are moving to using a
> standard API that would call external "helper" routines that would do the
> actual interface to the hardware so interfacing other I/O methods would
> just require a "helper" or driver written to the API standard. Doing it in
> this way a user could write their own code using the standard API to
> interface to many different external devices. The 1.3 release will have a
> little bit of this but the 2.x code coming out later will use it
> extensively. This will open up all kinds of possibilities because the audio
> stream will also be available external to Asterisk/Allstar.
>
>
>
> *73 Doug WA3DSP http://www.crompton.com/hamradio
> <http://www.crompton.com/hamradio>*
>
>
> > From: vk6fmll at aussietalk.net
> > To: arm-allstar at hamvoip.org
> > Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2016 13:51:22 +0800
> > Subject: Re: [arm-allstar] Update version 1.3 BBB/RPi2 now in testing
> (Doug Crompton)
> >
> > Hi Doug and the group
> > I do agree with you about the FOB mod being a more elegant and for some,
> a
> > easy solution - I personally have been doing it for years
> > But the problem is the days where affordable modifiable CM108/CM119 usb
> FOBs
> > being available are nearly long gone...
> > For the past 6 months I have not received 1 out of 30 FOBs purchased
> online
> > that did not have the dreaded BLOB.
> > just 1 month ago I was in Hong Kong so I took the time out to search my
> old
> > known suppliers and again came away
> > With only 2 usable FOBs so it's getting to be slim pickings for some of
> us
> > :)
> >
> > if you have a direct source of the $3.00 modifiable FOB's let me know
> and I
> > will buy a heap now because I used the link to bargaincableusa and they
> sold
> > me 2 in the last month and both where BLOBs (bugger)
> > cheers
> > Mitch
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
> > Message: 2
> > Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2016 23:35:07 -0500
> > From: Doug Crompton <doug at crompton.com>
> > To: ARM Allstar <arm-allstar at hamvoip.org>
> > Subject: Re: [arm-allstar] Update version 1.3 BBB/RPi2 now in testing
> > Message-ID: <BLU171-W89F4961E5107DB5C2998C9BAC90 at phx.gbl>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> >
> > Pierre,
> >
> > Have you looked at the simpleusb FOB mod on the web site? The method of
> > threading the wire under the pins and bending over the stripped end and
> > tacking is SO easy. That is the ONLY surface mount soldering you have to
> do
> > and I would not call that surface mount soldering but rather soldering
> to a
> > surface mount pin. I invite anyone to get the proper materials and tools
> and
> > try it. It takes but a second to tack the wire on. Get a board ($3) and
> > practice!
> >
> > As far as external control, the GPIO pins on the main board are good for
> > that. Depending on what you want to control you can use very inexpensive
> > relay boards designed to connect directly to the GPIO or a USB GPIO
> > interface. Both ways are described on the hamvoip.org web page in the
> how-to
> > section.
> >
> > 73 Doug
> > WA3DSP
> > http://www.crompton.com/hamradio
> >
> >
> > Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2016 20:01:28 -0500
> > From: petem001 at gmail.com
> > To: arm-allstar at hamvoip.org
> > Subject: Re: [arm-allstar] Update version 1.3 BBB/RPi2 now in testing
> >
> > I do understand that we need to be carefull with the gpio cause when they
> > are gone they are gone for good. but you have to understand that
> soldering
> > on those small pins are not for everyone.. I have a few friends that are
> > waiting to jump in when the gpio will work cause they dont have the
> skill to
> > solder those pin and no one around to do it. for them..
> >
> > On the other end, It will cost a bit more to work a nice circuit on the
> > gpio, but all can be done with normal componant ( non surface mount) on a
> > small pcb where we could have nice connector for wiring that goes to the
> > radio's they could already be choice for high or low squelch input. and
> othe
> > such thing..
> >
> > One other thing could be the use of a way to have a serial connection
> with
> > pin 8 and 10 on the header that could be used for control of a remote
> base..
> > (wishfull thinking) ;-)
> >
> > so someone could design a nive pcb with all those option and this would
> be
> > very fun to work with!
> >
> > Pierre
> > VE2PF
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > 2016-01-10 18:59 GMT-05:00 Doug Crompton <doug at crompton.com>:
> >
> >
> >
> > Perre,
> >
> > Not promising anything but yes they might be. But be aware - I have said
> > this many times before - the job of modifying a FOB and the interface
> > circuitry involved is little more than what you would have to do to use
> the
> > main board GPIO. You would still need to build the same interface
> circuitry.
> > The only thing you would not have to do is solder a few wires on the FOB.
>
> >
> > I really wish I could get people to understand how ridiculously easy
> that is
> > and how the GPIO method is not just connect a couple of wires up to
> pins. It
> > is much safer and cleaner to work on a $3 FOB then to build circuitry and
> > run wires to GPIO on the main board. You can buy a dozen FOBS for $24 -
> less
> > than the cost of one RPI2 board. Practice on a couple, if you blow them
> up
> > throw them in the trash and start over, no big loss.
> >
> > I realize there are some hams due to disability, eyesight, etc. who would
> > not be able to do the modification but in that case I doubt you would be
> > able to build the required interface to the main board GPIO either. Most
> > hams know other hams. Ask someone to help you.
> >
> > The simple FOB modification is at the hamvoip.org web page.
> >
> > 73 Doug
> > WA3DSP
> > http://www.crompton.com/hamradio
> >
> >
> > Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2016 17:57:05 -0500
> > From: petem001 at gmail.com
> > To: arm-allstar at hamvoip.org
> > Subject: Re: [arm-allstar] Update version 1.3 BBB/RPi2 now in testing
> >
> > Will the hardware headers will be available with that release ?? (the i/o
> > pin on both the BBB and rpi) so that we could use a simple dongle without
> > mods and input/and outpu connection could be driven directly to the
> embeded
> > device?
> >
> >
> >
> > 2016-01-09 14:44 GMT-05:00 Doug Crompton <doug at crompton.com>:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > 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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> >
> > arm-allstar at hamvoip.org
> >
> > http://lists.hamvoip.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/arm-allstar
> >
> >
> >
> > Visit the BBB and RPi2 web page - http://hamvoip.org
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
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> > arm-allstar at hamvoip.org
> > http://lists.hamvoip.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/arm-allstar
> >
> > Visit the BBB and RPi2 web page - http://hamvoip.org
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> >
> >
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> >
> > arm-allstar at hamvoip.org
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> > Visit the BBB and RPi2 web page - http://hamvoip.org
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
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> > arm-allstar at hamvoip.org
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> >
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> >
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> >
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