Jez M0RNX at Moonraker talks about discovering Allstarlink.
Overview
Use that old or cheap dualband analogue HT & bring it back to life, fancy simple DTMF (old skool touch tones - remember dial up) call up & great audio over ip ? Absolutely yes !
Like a lot of projects I stumbled over Allstar.org through meandering around digital projects and having a Raspberry Pi3B sitting idle. I started a few years back flashing an SD card for use in a Zumspot for DMR, quickly finding Dstar & C4FM and using Echolink on my Network Radio. I’m going to stop there as there is a myriad of codecs & wares out there, take the ‘Red Pill’ and enjoy that ride. But Allstar is different, no fancy HT and a little sideways investment in using a Raspberry, choosing a node kit or built, a little Linux learning (even I could do this) and not only the sense of achievement but also a new world of possibility.
Requirements
- An open mind to learning & the definition of Ham radio, some struggle with that. Allstar is about rf, but that’s a dead horse for some people.
- A reasonable investment in time, read patience & concentration in that for me at least and for a ham about £100-140 investment with Brexit factored, joke, another dead horse.
Specifications
The node itself will be either a G7RPG or Shari, plus any builds based around a PI and listed parts. Again the adventure can be tailored to your knowledge and experience, read mine as minimal so you can do it.
Useful links
Check out these useful site links:
- https://www.allstarlink.org
- https://hamprojects.info
- https://hamvoip.org
- https://hubnetwork.uk
- https://www.dvscotland.net
Also there is a lot of information on youtube which you might find useful. I am sure like me you will find more.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjuDGVnYI9Y&list=PLWCoYUzzRmOx1aUx4Sm28eLFY9S1phdCs&index=9&t=558s
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzmHeXg268M&list=PLWCoYUzzRmOx1aUx4Sm28eLFY9S1phdCs&index=2&t=789s
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ9XB3QvsIDmgeMyuFsIW5A
- https://www.youtube.com/user/ukgadget2
Milestones
- I discovered the great world of Raspberry Pi - I had already started using Rpi for Asterisk for a PBX on my Aredn network, in English I had some knowledge of the Asterisk program from using it to create an ip phone exchange for my Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network project.
- I actually look at Linux - I had no knowledge, but don’t be put off. There are some good user friendly applications to help MobaXterm or PuTTY
- I dusted off an old HT - Although in truth you could use your £500+ HT, why would you. The joy of retrieving one of my other radios and dedicating it to Allstar is brilliant.
- Easily built an echolinkconnected Node - With a little more effort you can build a useable node locally linked to Allstarlink & Echolink. & made it discoverable.
Please feel free to comment on this blog. It would be great to have your feedback. Good luck.
Jez M0RNX