[arm-allstar] 4x4 Matrix Keypad Command Entry

[Travis French]

Good Afternoon,

I seem to recall at one point where someone referenced the concept of using a matrix keypad to enter commands into a node. This concept is something that I am interested in but I could not find the original email that spoke of it nor any how-to's that went into detail on this unless I missed it.

I have a radio-less node on my desk and a RF mobile node in my truck that I was thinking this would be great for. Especially in the mobile. It may seem trivial to some but a dash mounted keypad would require only one hand to operate in lieu two for the mic DTMF entry let alone using a smart phone to dial in through IAXRPT. I have been a ham since 1999 and it still fells awkward to key DTMF commands into the mic while driving. Not to mention, this could also help with folks that are having DTMF decode issues with their radioless nodes. Just a thought. Maybe a win win.

In my node enclosures, I have plenty of real estate to mount 4x4 matrix keypads. In fact, I have already ordered a couple to play with in the event that this is possible. I have done some research on how the Pi can interpret the key presses from a generic perspective. If I recall it correctly, someone here mentioned that a script could be set up to monitor for the * key as the start of the command string and the # for the execute. Of course with something like 3(node #) in the middle or a *76# to disconnect all.

Am I off my rocker here?

Is this possible? Has anyone else done this?

If so, I would love to learn how to do it. I guess it is "how to get asterisk to respond to the interpreted key strokes" is where I get lost'

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Travis E. French - K2PCB