[arm-allstar] UPDATE - simpleusb, telemetry tones, Voter bug, template files

[Doug Crompton]

This update includes the following -

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simpleusb output level calculations.  First an explanation.  The simpleusb
channel driver divides the number of mixer steps into 1000 steps. It is a
little more complicated than that depending on log or linear but basically
that is what is done. There has been a long standing bug in the simpleusb
channel driver that causes this to not work properly with genuine CM119B
chips. The divisor assumed 151 mixer steps for ALL chips and when the
CM119B chip is used which only has 37 steps the mapping was totally wrong.
Thus turning the level on the CM119B chips below about 375 actually muted
the chip. No values below that worked. This has now been corrected as the
code reads the number of steps from the chip rather than using a fixed
value and adjusts accordingly.

This change ONLY effects CM119B chips and ONLY the output level - item 3 or
4 on the simpleusb menu. After this update if you are using a CM119B chip
or you hear a difference in the output level (what you hear FROM Allstar)
you should adjust the level accordingly in the simpleusb-tune-menu settings.

There are currently two level methods. Method 0 is logarithmic and is the
default. Method 1 is linear. You can set these methods in the
simpleusb.conf file on a per node basis. The command is:

tx_audio_level_method=0 | 1   ;  0 is the default and is used if this
command does not appear in the config file.

Most users will not need to change the method. Soon there will be an
updated simpleusb-tune-menu program which will allow the setting of these
methods as well as a fine tuning DSP level change in addition to the
current mixer levels. Since the CM119B chip has about 75% less range steps
a finer DSP level will fill in the gaps.

Genuine CM119B chips are now commonly used as no other genuine chip is
being produced. The DMK-URI uses it as does the ARA boards produced by
George other will probably follow as the old stock runs out. Note also the
CM119B chips have less maximum output than the prior varieties. The DMK-URI
board has a 2X op-amp that can be jumpered into the circuit. The ARA rev 2
boards have a fixed 7X rail-to-rail op-amp which gives 5VP-P output into
100 ohms at maximum level.

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Change to the telemetry tones to allow decimal frequencies. This is an
important change as it allows you to make tones that closely approximate
chimes and other special effects. Here is an example -

remotetx=|t(1068,1068.35,770,4000)

Here we are combining two tones only .35 hertz apart to make a chime sound.
Typically you will need to test this as there is no formula to create a
specific tone. The tone differential will differ with the base frequency.
Changing the differential and duration form the resultant tone.

Remember that you can have distinctive courtesy tones base on the incoming
node number. Here is a refresher -

In node settings -

linkunkeyct=by_node_number,ct8   ; sent when a user unkeys

node40000=ct12
node40001=ct13
etc.

In [telemetry] stanza

ct12=|iK
ct13=|t(1068,1068.35,770,4000)

This will send the CW letter K when node 40000 unkeys and the chime when
40001 unkeys. Any other node will be the default ct8.

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Voter channel driver update

Some have been experiencing system lockups when using the voter code. The
voter code needs an overhaul as there are some identifed issues that need
correcting. Until we get to that a temporary fix has been applied to
detect a "queue too long" message that results in hung systems. If this
issue occurs it now restarts the server resulting in a short but
recoverable interruption.

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Custom System Templates. An option to allow custom system templates has
been added. This will allow users or vendors to create different setup
templates. There will be more on that later.

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Also in a prior message I referred to  google_drive.sh - the
correct name is google-drive.sh  This is correct in the howto.

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