[arm-allstar] 4x4 Matrix Keypad Command Entry

Wed Sep 19 06:41:48 EDT 2018

Good Morning Doug,

I am simply looking to add 4x4 matrix keypads to two of my nodes to accept the same inputs that one would send via a mic DTMF or IAXRPT keypad. I am not looking for anything more than that. My goal is to the have these hardwired and eliminate the need for a DTMF mic or any external control source (IAXRPT, Supermon, or radio, etc.). My driving goal (pun intended) is to make it a one handed operation especially for my mobile node. I want to stop using my phone while driving and have easy access to a rigid mounted keypad on the dash. For my radio-less node on my desk, I can then hook up my desk mic or headset and still not need a PC or phone. The latter scenario is just a bonus once I can do it for the mobile. Again, the dash mounted keypad on my mobile node is my primary goal.

I have a simplex RF node as well but there is no plan to alter that at this time.

I understand that I have all of these alternate options available to me which required a lot of development and I could also shortcuts or favorite sequences but the hardware keypad is my goal if it is possible.

Thank you in advance,

Travis E. French
PCB Piezotronics<http://www.pcb.com/>
Microelectronics – Production Supervisor I
(716) 684-0002<tel:(716)%20684-0002> ext. 2238
tfrench at pcb.com<mailto:tfrench at pcb.com>

From: Doug Crompton <wa3dsp at gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2018 1:02 AM
To: Travis French <tfrench at pcb.com>
Cc: ARM Allstar <arm-allstar at hamvoip.org>
Subject: Re: [arm-allstar] 4x4 Matrix Keypad Command Entry

Travis,

 The link you specified is now working. We had some problems due to the hurricane over the weekend.

Actually it won't tell you much as it is about using BCD control to change frequency using DTMF.

I guess I need to know what it is you would like to control with the pad and why you could not do that with DTMF sequences from a radio instead. That would be an easier way to do it, a DTMF sequence calls a script to do something. The keypad would work the same way - a key sequence would call a script to do something.

So the question is what is it you want to do as a result of entering something on the keys and why could that not be accomplished with a DTMF sequence?

73 Doug
WA3DSP
http://www.crompton.com/hamradio

On Tue, Sep 18, 2018 at 4:58 PM Travis French <tfrench at pcb.com<mailto:tfrench at pcb.com>> wrote:
Thank you Doug!   I just ordered 3 to play with and I already have the keypads on order. I really like the idea of the hardware decoding taking the load off the Pi.

As for the BCD channel steering, I am finding that this link is not working: https://hamvoip.org/hamradio/channel_steering/ . This is where I would find info on the script you wrote, correct?

Either way, you have put some strong wind in my sails today and look forward to making this work.

Thanks again!

Travis French - K2PCB

-----Original Message-----
From: ARM-allstar <arm-allstar-bounces at hamvoip.org<mailto:arm-allstar-bounces at hamvoip.org>> On Behalf Of "Doug Crompton via ARM-allstar"
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 4:26 PM
To: ARM Allstar <arm-allstar at hamvoip.org<mailto:arm-allstar at hamvoip.org>>
Cc: Doug Crompton <wa3dsp at gmail.com<mailto:wa3dsp at gmail.com>>
Subject: Re: [arm-allstar] 4x4 Matrix Keypad Command Entry

Travis,

 No, you are not off your rocker. In its simplest form this could work but a script would need to be written that would scan rows or columns and detect contact closure. A better approach would be a hardware decoder like this -

https://www.futurlec.com/Keypad_Decoder_Board.shtml

Which would put out BCD that could be decoded with 3 or 4 bits of Pi GPIO.
I already wrote a BCD channel steering script and it could be easily adapted.

*73 Doug*

*WA3DSP*

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

On Tue, Sep 18, 2018 at 2:14 PM "Travis French via ARM-allstar" < arm-allstar at hamvoip.org<mailto:arm-allstar at hamvoip.org>> wrote:

> 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
>
>
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