AllStar Link Presentation Sullivan Amateur Radio Club September 8 th, 2016 Bill Higgins N0NOE

The EchoLink Node EchoLink on EchoLink on PC running Windows 7 and EchoLink software PC running Windows 7 and EchoLink software Motorola Maxtrac radio Motorola Maxtrac radio Kludged up interface with RIGblaster Nomic Kludged up interface with RIGblaster Nomic Located at my home QTH (not ideal!) Located at my home QTH (not ideal!) Worked ok, especially after sound card upgrade Worked ok, especially after sound card upgrade

The EchoLink Node

Why change it? Why change it? Worked ok, but inflexible Worked ok, but inflexible Linked connections suffer from lag and echo problems Linked connections suffer from lag and echo problems Limited in its ability to grow Limited in its ability to grow Based on proprietary Windows based software Based on proprietary Windows based software

What Alternatives Are There? Svxlink Svxlink Linux based EchoLink replacement Linux based EchoLink replacement Somewhat limited and not very popular Somewhat limited and not very popular IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project) IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project) Linux based Linux based Closed source hardware and closed linking network Closed source hardware and closed linking network No EchoLink compatibility No EchoLink compatibility AllStar Link AllStar Link Linux based Linux based Most open, most connectivity options Most open, most connectivity options EchoLink compatible EchoLink compatible Based on high quality audio switching technology (Asterisk) Based on high quality audio switching technology (Asterisk)

The AllStar Link Setup

Rim-Maxtrac

Why AllStar Link? Better quality audio Better quality audio Provides more connectivity Provides more connectivity Can link with any other AllStar Link (or EchoLink) node (repeaters or simplex nodes!) Can link with any other AllStar Link (or EchoLink) node (repeaters or simplex nodes!) Individuals can use the Web Transceiver Individuals can use the Web Transceiver Any touchtone phone through the Telephone Gateway Any touchtone phone through the Telephone Gateway Smart phones or tablets with an app Smart phones or tablets with an app PCs with soft phones PCs with soft phones

Why AllStar Link? (cont.) It can be programmed to do desired functions It can be programmed to do desired functions Set certain conditions when on battery power Set certain conditions when on battery power Automatically link our repeaters for nets, etc. Automatically link our repeaters for nets, etc. Automated club meeting announcements Automated club meeting announcements Weather conditions, alerts and forecasts Weather conditions, alerts and forecasts Autopatch Autopatch Emergency operations modes (different courtesy tones, predefined linkages, emergency announcements) Emergency operations modes (different courtesy tones, predefined linkages, emergency announcements) High quality streaming audio to the web site (through Broadcastify) High quality streaming audio to the web site (through Broadcastify)

Why AllStar Link? (cont.) Implement new functions without having to visit the repeater site Implement new functions without having to visit the repeater site Recording and archiving of all audio passing through the repeater Recording and archiving of all audio passing through the repeater It will give us complete, secure remote control of the repeater via the Internet (including but not limited to changing timeouts, PL, courtesy tones, enable, disable, DTMF functions, macros, etc) It will give us complete, secure remote control of the repeater via the Internet (including but not limited to changing timeouts, PL, courtesy tones, enable, disable, DTMF functions, macros, etc) What else can your mind imagine? What else can your mind imagine?

What Are the Next Steps? Build an inexpensive, small footprint, AllStar Link node to replace the existing node at my QTH. Build an inexpensive, small footprint, AllStar Link node to replace the existing node at my QTH. Install the new node in place of the existing CAT200 controller at the repeater site. Install the new node in place of the existing CAT200 controller at the repeater site.

What Would it Take? Computer Computer Raspberry Pi 3 (has USB, Ethernet and Wifi) Raspberry Pi 3 (has USB, Ethernet and Wifi) Will run the AllStar Link software and do all the command and control functions and interface to the Internet Will run the AllStar Link software and do all the command and control functions and interface to the Internet Cheap and powerful ($65 with case and power supply) Cheap and powerful ($65 with case and power supply) Committed donor for this has already been obtained Committed donor for this has already been obtained Radio (repeater) Interface Radio (repeater) Interface RIM-Lite from Repeater-Builder RIM-Lite from Repeater-Builder Simple and cost effective Simple and cost effective $50 $50 Donor or donors needed for this Donor or donors needed for this Miscellaneous cabling, etc. (I will provide) Miscellaneous cabling, etc. (I will provide) Internet access at the repeater site (already informally approved, I believe!) Internet access at the repeater site (already informally approved, I believe!)

Raspberry Pi 3

RIM – Lite from Repeater Builder

The Initial Goal

A Possible Future Goal The SARC Repeater System Potential New Club Repeaters Affiliated Repeaters

Questions?