[arm-allstar] 3 nodes on 1 pi

Fri Dec 24 11:38:18 EST 2021

Dave,

I'll mention that all I run is WiFi on my production systems.  FOR ME, it
doesn't skip a beat.  Over the last decade, I've switched completely away
from wired Ethernet to the node, which was basically a requirement with
old x86 PCs, running a custom version of the old ACID release of AllStar.

I'm currently EXCLUSIVELY using Ubiquiti LocoM2 APs (which have now about
DOUBLED in price!!!  GRRRRRRR).  I typically turn the TX power levels on
all WiFi hardware down to 0 dBm.  I even have these systems in sealed
Aluminum tower-top mounted cabinets.

Most of my repeaters are Kenwood TKR 750/850 class hardware.  I literally
mount the RPi3B with USB fob (mostly DMK URIs) and DC-DC power supply
directly on the repeater chassis, with a single, short wired connection
going to the DB-25 connector for audio and signaling on the back panel.  
Power comes from the 15-pin ACC connector on the back panel. This is
simple, neat and self contained.  A few years ago I purchased 50
polystyrene cases from China at about $1.50 each. The RPi is placed in the
case to protect it. I drilled some vent holes in the cases and use fairly 
large heatsinks on the SoC chips.

All these sites are co-located with high-power broadcast transmitters.  
The tall towers get direct lightning strikes with each T-storm, and we get 
a lot of them!  Flowing lightning plasma near the towers gives me the most 
grief---I've got photos of charred conduit, feedline insulation, etc., 
from plasma....But, no repeater or RPi failures in 3+ years now. (Knock on 
wood!!!)  When I first was installing these "latest generation" systems, I 
did has a few DC-DC converter failures. I was using epoxy-encapsulated 
converters at the time.  I've had zero failures since switching to the 
LM2596S converters.

73, David KB4FXC

On Fri, 24 Dec 2021, Dave Petrie wrote:

> One more thought, the raspberry pi 3 b plus has the ability to use a wired
> Ethernet port, with shielded cat 5 wire and metal connectors for a noisy
> environment.
> I have had too much interference from wifi routers in the past. Just
> thought of it when I was looking over the new pi-zero.
> Problem is finding a Pi3 b plus, I can't believe how they have gone up in
> price. I am in the process of trying to get a usb to com port on my
> raspberry pi 3 b plus
> to present itself to my windows 7 computer so i can remotely attach to the
> comport on site to program an attached radio, another good reason i like
> the raspberry Pi 3 B plus is the number of usb ports.
> Happy Holidays
> Dave
> 
> On Fri, Dec 24, 2021 at 8:45 AM Dave Petrie <wa2kjc at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > Just throwing out my thoughts, if you add up what it cost for the
> > enclosure, metal would be better at a repeater site, and the sd card and
> > the power supplies and sound card to attach a repeater, times 3 repeaters
> > at a site, you far exceed the cost of a raspberry pi 3 b plus which will
> > handle 3 nodes with no problem. One of the repeater sites I been helping
> > with for the last three years, has internet via microwave, Allstar/Echolink
> > is a pseudo node so it can be isolated if need be, a UHF repeater on the
> > second node which we call the hub node, that will be used for RF linking if
> > we ever lose the microwave, and the third node is a VHF repeater. The
> > repeaters are 100w Motorola MTR2000 and there is a 1000 watt paging company
> > at the site along with lots more stuff and we haven't seen any real
> > challenges. I modified the sound cards and my friends installed everything.
> > So far it's working great. There are three other sites that link in with
> > the same setup and me most of the time via the Internet.
> > Have a look at some of my documents in my dropbox. I like the Hamvoip
> > software and how nice it is to be able to get help from this forum. IT's
> > all about having fun with the hobby and helping each other.
> >
> > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ftanpv00kcvfqep/AACJdF2sRt2cB5fbbysQmjOca?dl=0
> >
> > Happy Holidays
> > Dave
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Dec 23, 2021 at 11:40 PM "David McGough via ARM-allstar" <
> > arm-allstar at hamvoip.org> wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> Hi Jason,
> >>
> >> An RPi3B or RPi3B+ should support all 3 nodes. I believe the RPi4B issue
> >> is also resolved in recent boards, hardware revision 1.2 or later.
> >>
> >> Also, the new RPi Zero 2 W is an excellent choice for single nodes,
> >> giving
> >> all the functionality as the RPi3A+, at least as needed for HamVoIP use.
> >>
> >> Personally, for co-located repeaters and node radios, I still recommend
> >> only a single node per RPi, even though the software and RPi hardware will
> >> support more than one radio.  This configuration makes isolating the
> >> grounds, audio and control signals between radios trivial, helping to
> >> solve potential audio, RF and even lightning surge issues.
> >>
> >> Pishop currently has some RPiZ2W boards in stock for $15 each.  Also,
> >> they're available at MicroCenter, etc.  Here is the PiShop link:
> >>
> >> https://www.pishop.us/product/raspberry-pi-zero-2-w/
> >>
> >> To add a third node to an existing system, you'll need to add a node
> >> stanza in the rpt.conf file and a device stanza in the simpleusb.conf
> >> file.  To support in-coming connections to the node instance, you'll need
> >> to add the node number as an extension to the dialplan [radio-secure]
> >> stanza, in the extensions.conf file.  Then, restart asterisk and setup the
> >> new node radio config using simpleusb-tune-menu.
> >>
> >>
> >> Merry Christmas!
> >>
> >> 73, David KB4FXC
> >>
> >>
> >> On Thu, 23 Dec 2021, "john gnatowsky via ARM-allstar" wrote:
> >>
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Hey all, i know it's only recommended to run 2 nodes but i have a need
> >> > that would make life much easier if i can run 3 (2 repeaters and 1 link
> >> > radio). What needs added/modifed to what files? Are pi3 still the way
> >> to
> >> > go? Last i heard more than 1 node on pi4 wasn't working right?
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >  John "Jason" Gnatowsky
> >> >
> >> > KG4FJC
> >> >
> >> > 434-841-9290
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > _______________________________________________
> >> >
> >> > ARM-allstar mailing list
> >> > ARM-allstar at hamvoip.org
> >> > http://lists.hamvoip.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/arm-allstar
> >> >
> >> > Visit the BBB and RPi2/3/4 web page - http://hamvoip.org
> >> >
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >>
> >> ARM-allstar mailing list
> >> ARM-allstar at hamvoip.org
> >> http://lists.hamvoip.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/arm-allstar
> >>
> >> Visit the BBB and RPi2/3/4 web page - http://hamvoip.org
> >>
> >
> 