[arm-allstar] Node with/without radio

Thu Feb 22 15:09:26 EST 2018

Hi Doug,

So it seems like my best scenario is:

1. A home server/node.
I don't currently have a ham shack at home, so the main purpose is to
provide a path for others to call me when mobile as long as my mobile node
is connected. From my mobile node, I can connect to my home node, which
subsequently can connect to other nodes.
Does the home server/node need at minimum a radio or radio-less connection
or can it function only to serve my mobile arrangement?

2. A mobile "radio-less" server/node(s).
I rarely venture away from my vehicle while commuting so portability isn't a
primary goal.
The primary node would be microphone/speaker/USB only to minimize overall
equipment.
The secondary node would be a connection to my mobile radio for the rare
times I might venture from my vehicle.  This provides more power, range,
better antenna, etc.
Would it be best to just remove the microphone/speaker/USB and replace it
with a radio/USB? Can this be done while the server/node is running or will
it need a reboot?
I suspect sound levels would be different for each so two nodes might be
best.

3. Future, a deployable radio node.

Sorry for all the questions.

Thank you!

Best regards,
Fred N7FMH

-----Original Message-----
Fred,

 All good questions. If you are primarily going to be mobile with your
Allstar using a hotspot for wifi then a simple Baofeng 888 or UV82 is a good
choice. You also have the option of a radioless node but that would limit
your portability. In that case it would be like a mobile radio with a
microphone.

All variations would use a Raspberry Pi3 and a commercial or modified sound
FOB connected to a radio or in the radioless mode a microphone with DTMF and
amplified speaker.

A single Pi (called a server) can handle two nodes very nicely. I would not
go beyond that and personally I never put more than one radio node per Pi.
The Pi's are inexpensive, It is easier to maintain that way, and also offers
better redundancy.

Allstar is full duplex so in a radioless situation you  could run full
duplex. The advantage is that you can send control to your server while
others connected to you are speaking. In a simplex radio situation this is
not possible. Of course a repeater offers this duplex cotrol also but
requires a separate receiver and transmitter and RF separation between the
two using a duplexer or a large frequency or distance separation.

In a home Internet situation and proper port forwarding in your router other
can certainly connect to you. In a hotspot situation that is very likely not
the case. Usually in a mobile situation you are connecting out as you are
usually on and off the air quite a bit. If you must have inbound what I
generally tell people is to have a fixed node at your home where people
connect and then you connect to there.

My guess is you will want both a fixed and mobile node. They really are not
much different. The mobile node would run on 12V and have supplies for the
radio and Pi's requirements.

Here are two email addresses for hams that are making and selling the items
you are discussing. It you don't want to be bothered with doing it yourself
these would be a good choice.

WB3DZZ, George is building complete nodes using the Baofeng 888 or UV82.
They can be used both fixed and portable. He is also selling modified FOB's,
Radios, and other components separately. His email is

ggianios at verizon.net

Another ham Ed, KD6KCA is making very nice radioless nodes. His email is:

kd6kca at hotmail.com

Feel free to contact them for further information. If you decide to do it
yourself the howto's at hamvoip.org would be very helpful and I can
certainly answer any questions you may have.

*73 Doug*

*WA3DSP*

*http://www.crompton.com/hamradio <http://www.crompton.com/hamradio>*

On Wed, Feb 21, 2018 at 10:08 PM, "Fred Hillhouse via arm-allstar" <
arm-allstar at hamvoip.org> wrote:

> Greetings,
>
>
>
> I was looking at a couple of options to build. The two options are in 
> the links below. I am trying to determine if there is one best suited 
> for my use. I am not sure I even know my use case. I suspect my main 
> use would be away from the house in mostly a mobile environment. So I 
> am going to list what I believe to be true and questions.
>
>
>
> Hopefully someone can provide insight.
>
>
>
> Both:
>
> 1.       would use an RPi
>
> 2.       need an internet connection
>
> 3.       when using a hotspot, can connect to other nodes, but cannot be
> connected to (there may be exceptions)
>
> 4.       when using my home network, other nodes can connect to my node
>
> 5.       question, can both be implemented on a single RPi in a manner
that
> one or the other can be used or maybe both?
>
> 6.       question, can a display be added?
>
>
>
> https://hamvoip.org/hamradio/USBFOB_without_radio/
>
> 1.       no radio necessary
>
> 2.       a minimalist approach (RPi, soundcard, microphone, hotspot)
>
> 3.       question, is another MIC useful? There must be cheap microphones
> replacements that would function just as well.
>
> 4.       question, is the keypad used to enter node numbers?
>
>
>
> https://hamvoip.org/hamradio/UV82_mod/
>
> 1.       to use, a second radio must be used
>
> 2.       could be in a "go-box" but using low power would only provide a
> relatively small footprint
>
> 3.       question, would a repeater version of this be useful?
>
> 4.       question, can multiple radios be connected; 2M, 1.25M, 70CM in
the
> extra USB ports in the future?
>
>
>
> I am leaning towards just the node without a radio for my mobile shack 
> but the thought of plugging in a radio/soundcard and being able to 
> walk away from the vehicle adds utility. I am not sure I would use 
> this extra feature but I do camp and it adds an potentially 
> interesting piece and for little effort.
>
>
>
> I look forward to comments!
>
>
>
> Thank you!
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> Fred N7FMH
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---
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