[arm-allstar] Completed - Radioless Node - push button switch to run connect to hub/node script

Tue Jul 11 23:06:12 EDT 2023

Hi All,

I posted the question in the Subject: line back in March 2023.  It's taken me a little time to get completed and follow up with the mailing list, but thanks to the answers & support from this group, I managed to get this hack working.

So much like the Allstar Halt Button/Switch (https://hamvoip.org/hamradio/RPi2_halt_switch/), I now also have a push button to initiate a connection to a selected node or hub, without the need for a DTMF mic or phone/tablet or computer.

First thing I did was get a working shell script (connect-vk6rhf.sh), shamelessly borrowed from the HamVOIP GPIO how to.  For my script, I am using GPIO pin 22 (GPIO-GEN6) and connecting to VK6RHF repeater, Allstar node 47323.

(connect-vk6rhf.sh):

#!/bin/bash
# Required button hold down seconds
PIN=6
HOLDTIME=5
# set mode to in and pullup pin 6 (Physical pin 22, GPIO25)
gpio mode 6 in
gpio mode 6 up
TIME1=1
while [ 1=1 ]
# wait in interrupt for pin to go low
gpio wfi $PIN falling
do
# Got the low now poll to see if it stays low for holdtime
while [ `gpio read $PIN` -eq "0" ];
do
sleep 1
let TIME1+=1
if [ $TIME1 -gt $HOLDTIME ]; then
# if greater than holdtime then exit past done
break 3;
fi
done
TIME1=1
continue
done
# code to execute when holdtime is exceeded goes here
/usr/bin/asterisk -rx "rpt fun $NODE1 *76*7347323"

2. Save script to /etc/asterisk/local and set to executable - chmod +x connect-vk6rhf.sh

3.  At this point you can test the script with gpio commands.  Run the script ./etc/asterisk/local/connect-vk6rhf.sh

      In a second window, run the following:      
      gpio read 6 -> should return 1.
      gpio mode 6 down -> should pull the input low.
      gpio read 6 -> should now return 0.
      By this point 5 seconds should've expired and your script can execute the connect to node command.
      gpio mode 6 up -> should return the input high.
      Check Allstarlink and your node should be connected to your desired node/hub.

3.  Modify /usr/local/etc/allstar.env - Just under export SHUTDOWN_MONITOR="enabled"

# defines the VK6RHF Connect switch to the RPi2 (enabled or disabled)
# default="enabled"
export CONNECT_VK6RHF="enabled"

Ctrl-X and save.

4.  Modify /usr/local/etc/allstar.env - Just under "Shutdown Monitor, RPi 2/3 Only" paragraph.

# Connect VK6RHF Button, RP2/3 Only
if [ "$HWTYPE" = "RPi2" ] && [ "$CONNECT_VK6RHF" = "enabled" ] ; then
    /etc/asterisk/local/connect-vk6rhf.sh & > /dev/null
fi

Ctrl-X, save & reboot.

Connect a push button or momentary switch between pins 20 & 22 on the GPIO of your RPi and now you have a shortcut "Connect to" for your radioless node.

So I hope this all makes sense, is informative and useful to others in the group.

73,

Rob...
VK6LD

Rob,

Did you get this all working?

To me it would not be much different than the Shutdown function example
as pointed out by others.

The main difference is to create different macros for each function and
instead of running the shutdown function point it to a script that runs
the proper macro for the function you want it to perform, The push and
hold time can be lowered to your preference

Referring to
<https://www.crompton.com/hamradio/hamvoip-howto/GPIO_how-to.pdf>

Example Script to read a bit
Another very useful 'gpio' command is 'wfi'This command waits for an
interrupt based on a rising or falling
level at a pin. It takes no processor time unlike polling. The command
syntax is:
gpio wfi 1 falling|rising
This example is from the shutdown monitor code I written for the RPi2
#!/bin/bash
# Required button hold down seconds
HOLDTIME=6
# set mode to in and pullup pin 0 (Physical pin 11, GPIO17)
gpio mode 0 in
gpio mode 0 up
TIME1=1
while [ 1=1 ]
# wait in interrupt for pin to go low
gpio wfi $PIN falling
do
# Got the low now poll to see if it stays low for holdtime
while [ `gpio read $PIN` -eq "0" ];
do
sleep 1
let TIME1+=1
if [ $TIME1 -gt $HOLDTIME ]; then
# if greater than holdtime then exit past done
break 3;
fi
done
TIME1=1
continue
done
# code to execute when holdtime is exceeded goes here

Larry - N7FM

On 3/6/23 7:32 AM, wrhowell amphibiansolutions.us via ARM-allstar wrote:
> How are you going to interface that box to a Pi in order to use the mic & speaker?
>
> Wil/Can you provide your setup afterwards for others to share, please?
>
>
> Thank you,
>
> William KI5PHN
> ________________________________
> From: ARM-allstar<arm-allstar-bounces at hamvoip.org<http://lists.hamvoip.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/arm-allstar>>  on behalf of Rob Seaman via ARM-allstar<arm-allstar at hamvoip.org<http://lists.hamvoip.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/arm-allstar>>
> Sent: Sunday, March 5, 2023 5:06 PM
> To:arm-allstar at hamvoip.org<http://lists.hamvoip.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/arm-allstar>  <arm-allstar at hamvoip.org<http://lists.hamvoip.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/arm-allstar>>
> Cc: Rob Seaman<vk6ld at outlook.com.au<http://lists.hamvoip.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/arm-allstar>>
> Subject: [arm-allstar] Radioless Node - push button switch to run connect to hub/node script
>
> Hi All,
>
> I'm building a radioless node for a friend who has interest in Allstar, but little to no interest in computers.
>
> He has given me a well made box, that was previously used a radio test jig setup, so it has a mic, speaker and a row of LED's & momentary SPST push button type switches on the front panel.
>
> One idea I had was to use the momentary switches to connect to some hubs, one for discconnect all and one for a shutdown switch on GPIO pins 9 & 11.
>
> The shutdown switch is easy, as the script already exists in Hamvoip.
>
> I had a search back through the Hamvoip.org list archives and the Allstar Community chat for connect/disconnect via a momentary switch on the GPIO, while there was one or two brief mentions of wanting to do this, I wasn't able to find any other information or scripts.
>
> I read the 'Using the GPIO command with Allstar 06/11/15' found on the Hamvoip website, so have a slightly better understanding, but I'm not clear how Allstar/Hamvoip is to monitor for example, GPIO pin 13 going to ground, therefore execute disconnect all (*76) or pin 15 going to ground, therefore connect to UK Hub (*7341522).
>
> Hope the above makes sense and any tips or assistance would be aprpeciated.
>
> Regards,
>
> Rob...
> VK6LD