[arm-allstar] Hamvoip on RPi zero

[ssedgwick]

Doug, you are correct, it is a step back using the Raspberry Pi Zero W, BUT I am trying to build a small self-powered Wi-Fi Allstar HT that can be clipped to your belt, just like the HT portables we all carry when we are out and about and tie in into my phones Wi-Fi.  As you said, size is an advance for the pi zero W and size and power consumption are two things I have to consider when making a battery power device that fit’s in a small plastic case.  Based on the size and current consumption I measured on the pi zero W, I think it’s very doable...  I have a couple of Baofeng BF888S here that I took the RF PCB out of to make a normal RF Allstar hotspot from.  What’s remaining in the BF888S is most of the parts (nice plastic case, battery, battery charger, mic, speaker, volume control, etc) to make a Allstar Wi-Fi HT for use in your home while connected to you house Wi-Fi and while your out and about using the Wi-FI in your cell phone.  Sure, you need to add a boast converter to up the voltage from the battery 3.7 voltages to 5 volts, but I have already tested that and it works fine.  You also need to add an audio amplifier for the speaker, but that’s not a problem.  I think a nice looking BF888S case to house a WiFi enabled Allstar node is a neat idea.  BUT the big problem for me is getting Allstar to play with the Raspberry Pi Zero W and I have ZERO ability to do that, so I ask for help to make this happen.

Steve, WB8GRS