[arm-allstar] COS line lost and frequent spurious Key Downs.

[Glenn Lyons]

Version: RPi2-3-4  Version 1.7-03 Allstar - September 12, 2022 - K4FXC
Driver:  simpleusb
Duplex: 2
RIM: RB-RIM-Lite Version 2.1
Repeater: IC5000

For some reason I am yet to determine our ASL has lost the COS input. It
may be a broken wire or a programming error on the IC5000 AUX port. I will
diagnose when I am next on site.

What I am surprised to find is that ASL still functions well for QSO's.
However, this setup has one not so good side effect. When not in a QSO the
repeater goes key down for a second or less frequently. At the worst times
this can occur up to 47 times an hour.

Question 1. Is the simpleusb driver using the RX (audio from the repeater)
in the absence of COS to key PTT? There is nothing else it can be using.

Question 2. Please confirm that the simpleusb driver ignores CTCSS. I have
CTCSS connected and tried to implement that protocol without success.

Question 3. I used  "12 Run Simpleusb-tune-menu application, option
V) View COS, CTCSS and PTT Telemetry using real-time display" to determine
the signals. What is the time interval between refreshes as I may be
missing states between refreshes.

Question 4. Are there any scripts or code segments available for this very
useful utility?  I would like to mod it so it scrolls with a timestamp
instead of refreshing in situ so I can follow the changes over time.

I have implemented logging by setting the “archivedir” parameter in the
rpt.conf, which was helpful. However, it was the V) View COS, CTCSS and PTT
Telemetry using real-time display that alerted me to the cause of my
problem.

I have confirmed there is no traffic keying the repeater as the uplink is
silent, so I am left with local "noise" on the Audio into the RB RIM. I
will know more after visiting the site.


Thanks,
Glenn

Callsign: VK4PK
Email: Glenn at LyonsComputer.com.au