[arm-allstar] DTMF to link nodes?

[Benjamin Naber]

Russel, et al-

There are a few things you can check. I am going to assume others may
have at one time experienced this issue, as I have, so I am going to
include the particular commands and thought process... if there is one.

First thing I would do is go into the asterisk console:
root at aslbox$ asterisk -r

Then I would turn on asterisk console logging:
KB9LFZ-1*CLI> core set verbose 9


Then I would take the HT/mobile in question, of course on the node's
receive frequency, key the PTT and begin to mash the DTMF buttons:
You *should* get a response similar to:

[Oct 24 22:35:28] NOTICE[1679]: chan_simpleusb.c:2910 simpleusb_read:
Got DTMF char *


Keep the PTT keyed, and slow-like, one at a time, mash all of the DTMF
keys in some logical sequence while watching the output.

You may notice that some of the DTMF keys do not respond on the
asterisk console. There could be several reasons for this. Some of them
include:
- the node RX volume is not aligned
- the radio in question is not aligned


I would repeat the same test with other HTs and mobile radios you can
get your hands on.


The next step I would do is get a service monitor - find one, steal
one, beg someone with one to blow the dust of theirs and make good use
of it. Turn it on, wait for 30 minutes for its ref osc to settle, make
sure it says it has less than 1 Hz frequency error 5, 10, or 15MHz. Use
WWV while you can, it may go away!

Using the simpleusb-tune-menu, accurately tune the RX to a close as you
can get the level at 3KHz mark on the tune-menu, using the service
monitor transmitting *only* a 1KHz tone at 3KHz deviation. It is best
to do this at least a -75 dBm signal directly fed into the node radio
antenna port.

That step is absolutely critical for reliable receive operation.


The next thing I would do with that service monitor is make sure your
node radio is transmitting on the correct frequency, with no more than
100Hz drift. All modern radios most of us own, have a master reference
oscillator the radio's transmitter and receiver use. If the transmitter
is off frequency, then the receiver on that same radio is going to be
off just by as much.

If your node radio is off by more than 100Hz, take no other steps until
that is corrected. If it is a Chinese radio, hope off the slippery
slope of cheap junk and get one made by a company who has a reputation
to uphold. And who has a repair department. If you own an Android or
iPhone, getting reputable name-brand radio should not be an issue. New
or previously-enjoyed is your choice.

While you are at it, measure the transmit frequency error of all of
your radios... after they have been powered on for an hour or so. This
will allow the ref osc to settle to a reasonable level.


If your node radio and radio you are using to talk to the ASL node
radio are on frequency, and within 100Hz of each other, the next thing
I would so is make sure your HT or mobile radio you are using is
transmitting the correct DTMF.... use that service monitor with it's
DTMF decode function to ensure your radio is encoding the DTMF buttons
correctly. 


There are more levels to get deeper into, but those should get you
headed down the right path.

Connect to our Tech Net Tuesday nights at 8PM Eastern to talk more
about it. Node 45221


Benjamin, KB9LFZ
ASL 28569




On Wed, 2018-10-24 at 14:35 -0500, 
> Unless I've broke something, I've never been able to use my radio's
> dial
> pad to link and unlink nodes. (One reason being Supermon is amazing!!
> Thnx
> btw)
> 
> I looked around on the site and unless I'm overlooking it I don't see
> instructions. I saw something along the lines but it appeared to be
> for
> autopatching vs linking.
> 
> Can anyone point me in the right direction?
> 
> 73,
> Russell Thomas, KV4S
> _______________________________________________
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