"PTTLink Wiki" - User contributions [en]

Radio Connections

2017-10-29T20:04:06Z

4X5TS: Corrected minor typos

Instructions for connecting radios, repeaters and AllStarLink interfaces including the RTCM, GPS, URI/URI X and like devices.
=GPS=
* [[Media:RTCM 2 Trimble.pdf|Trimble RTCM Interface Cable]]
* [[Media:RTCM 321 Cable.graffle.pdf|Trimble to Two RTCMs and Lady Heather Cable]]
* [[Media:RTCM to BG7TBL Cable.pdf|BG7TBL GPS / RTCM Cable]]

=Motorola=

==CDM==
CDMs make great nodes. This eBay reseller has very nice cables. Use to connect to URI or RTCM.

[[Media:CDM Cable.pdf|CDM Cable from Kurt Meltzer]] ex-WB9KNX, now KC4NX - Cable 83 has only one output to use for either COS or CTCSS. Use another cable if you need both COS and CTCSS.

==MTR-2000==

==Quantar==

The Quantar can be tricky to interface as it's extremely programmable and you will need a wireline card for I/O connections. By default the I/O will not work unless the "wildcard" table is programed. This wildcard table is Boolean logic of interrupt states in the radio, is extremely flexible and frustrating to debug. It's a base station in it's own class.

[[File:Front of quantar and controller.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Front of Quantar and controller]]

* [[Media:QUANTAR-RTCM INTERFACE CABLE.pdf|Quantar/RTCM Interface Cable]]

Note you will want to use [[RTCM_Client#DSP.2FBEW_Firmware_Version|BEW mode]] on the RTCM if using the RTCM do squelch.

* [[Media:RTCM 2 Quantar.pdf|Another Quantar/RTCM Interface Cable]]
* [[Media:RTCM to Astro-TAC Cable.pdf|Astro-TAC/RTCM Interface Cable]]
* [http://wiki.w9cr.net/index.php/Allstar_and_P25_on_Quantar Interfacing to a Quantar with P25NX] - Bryan Fields W9CR has page on interfacing the Qunatar using simple USB into Allstar and P25NX linking at the same time. This is driven by programing on the Quantar Wildcard tables.
*[[Media:Quantar URI Interface.jpg|Quantar/URI Cable]]
*[[Media:QuantarMRTI2URI.jpg|Quantar MRTI/URI Cable]]

==Syntor X==
The Motorola Syntor X with an Xcat installed makes a great frequency agile remote base. For more information see this [http://wd6awp.net/xcat/ Syntor Xcat] page.

==VRM-850==

=Kenwood=
==TKR720/820==
Connections to: PTT, COS, RX audio out and MIC audio in

TX/RX board, MIC audio input, pins 4 & 5: floating ground, must not tie to any other ground! Some installations may require a 10dB, resistor L-network consisting of a 4.7k and 470 ohm resistors. The 470 ohm resistor connection across pins four and five, the 4.7k resistor is soldered to pin 5 to which your TX audio from the URI will connect to.

The MIC audio gain, deviation, and balance adjustments are *very* sensitive!

- RA-35 without TX adj. trimmer pots: Using a service monitor with deviation metering, start low and work your way up to 3KHz deviation with 1KHz tone, generated by simpleusb-tune-menu. If enabled, *904 turns this tone on and off by command, ie, no tone time-out as in simpleusb-tune-menu.

=Repeater Controller=

[[Media:RTCMwithController.pdf|An example of using RTCMs to replace 420 links]]

=Spectra Engineering=
* [http://wiki.w9cr.net/index.php/MX800#W9CR_alignment_procedure_and_setup_with_Allstar MX800 Base station] - Bryan Fields, W9CR has a complete setup guide for the MX800 Base station which includes fallback to the built in controller and an audio delay module.

=Tait=

=URI / URI X=
The URI is manufactured and sold by [http://dmkeng.com/URI_Order_Page.htm DMK Engineering].
*[[Media:URI Schematic.pdf|URI Schematic]]
*[[Media:URIx Schematic.pdf|URI X Schematic]]

=Vertex=
* [[Media:RTCM 2 VRX-5000.pdf|VRX-5000 / RTCM Interface Cable]]

[[Category:How to]]

Web Transceiver

2017-10-29T19:59:36Z

4X5TS: Corrected typo, added Zoiper as an alternative

The Web Transceiver is a web application for using authorized AllStarLink nodes. Unfortunately, it is ancient and insecure Java software that is no longer supported. It may not work well or at all but it's the only Web AllStar client around so give it a try. The attached PDF is the sum knowledge regarding the installation of the Web Transceiver. If these don't work you may be out of luck. Viable alternatives are [http://www.xelatec.com/xipar/iaxrpt IAXRPT] or Zoiper, provided the node owner/admin has given you access.

These [[Media:Web Transceiver Setup Help.pdf|setup instructions]] detail install and setting up Java to work with the Web Transceiver. Both Windows and Mac instructions included.

[[Category:How to]]

PTTLink FAQ

2017-10-29T19:55:35Z

4X5TS: Minor typos fixed

:'''Q''': What is DIAL?
:'''A''': DIAL is the software used to make an AllStar node. It consists of Linux, Asterisk and app_rpt. DIAL uses the Debian version of Linux. Asterisk is the OpenSource PBX. App_rpt is an Asterisk application giving it the radio node functions. DIAL runs on x86 or on the Raspberry Pi 3 (ARM version).

:'''Q''': What does DIAL stand for?
:'''A''': Debian Installation for AllStar Link.

:'''Q''': How do I install DIAL?
:'''A''': If you have ever installed Linux you know how to install DIAL. The DVD/SD image is available from the [[Main Page]] Related Links.

:'''Q''': How many nodes can DIAL support?
:'''A''': It depends on the hardware. A high power Intel box may support 25 or mode RTCM clients. A the other end of the spectrum, a Raspberry Pi 3 would be good for 2 USB nodes.

:'''Q''': How is a DIAL Node configured?
:'''A''': Briefly, a single node configuration is straight forward. The install will walk you through a first time setup of your node by asking you an number of questions. You'll need to have created an AllStar account, created a server, requested a node number and have your node's password.

:'''Q''': How do I login to DIAL once it is installed?
:'''A''': With earlier versions of DIAL you can login as user debian with a password of debian (normal user) or loging as root with a password of debian (super user). This has been deprecated. The current version has the root account blocked from network login and it's "locked" from the console login. You must login as user repeater and sudo root commands. The initial user login ID is '''repeater''' with a password of '''allstarlink'''. When you login the first time you will be forced to change the password. The user repeater has sudo rights. You can then continue the customization process. To enable console root login you will need to set a password for user root.

:'''Q''': When using ACID I had (insert feature here) Now it's gone. When will DIAL support this feature?
:'''A''': DIAL supports all the same channel drivers, features and apps that ACID supported. Under DIAL, modules are not loaded by default. They must be enabled in /etc/asterisk/modules.conf. This is the single biggest configuration change from ACID.

:'''Q''': Will DIAL run as a hub / reflector?
:'''A''': YES, DIAL will run as a hub. To build a hub set rxchannel = dahdi/pseudo in rpt.conf and set noload => chan_simpleusb.so in modules.conf

:'''Q''': Do I need a monitor and keyboard to run DIAL?
:'''A''': No, DIAL can be managed via SSH on port 222. The port can be changed in /etc/ssh/sshd.conf. DIAL does require a monitor and keyboard to install.

:'''Q''': What is the IP address of my new node?
:'''A''': DIAL configures the machine via DHCP. Check your DHCP server for the address. The machine defaults to repeater.allstarlink.org. This can be changed with /usr/local/sbin/netsetup

:'''Q''': Does my remote access program (insert IAXRPT, Web Transceiver, Zoiper, AndroidIAX here) work with DIAL?
:'''A''': Yes, either using the sample configuration files or your custom files.

:'''Q''': What about SIP support?
:'''A''': By default, SIP is not enabled. If you want to enable it, see /etc/asterisk/modules.conf

:'''Q''': What audio file format does DIAL use?
:'''A''': By default, DIAL installs the ulaw formatted audio files installed in /var/lib/asterisk/sounds/.

:'''Q''': What version of app_rpt is DIAL built with?
:'''A''': DIAL is built from the current version of asterisk taken from the SVN. As of now, The version of the code from the SVN is 1520 and app_rpt is version 0.325 10/19/2014

:'''Q''': DIAL is built on Debian 8, why Debian, why not (insert distro here)?
:'''A''': There are a lot of great Linux distributions available. Debian is a 20+ year old distribution with a large developer base. Many of the other distributions are based on Debian.

:'''Q''': I run a custom script (insert script here). Does it work with DIAL?
:'''A''': Unless the script does something really strange or uses something specific to only one Linux distribution, The script should be made to work. I'll be happy to work with script writers to move their script to DIAL.

:'''Q''': I updated my kernel now what?
:'''A''': You must have the kernel headers for the version of the kernel you installed. Install the headers, recompile and install DAHDI.

:'''Q''': I need a Linux program that is not in DIAL, what do I do?
:'''A''': apt-get is the Debian utility to install, remove and upgrade programs. apt-get install foo will install the program foo if it is available.

:'''Q''': I would like to create my own custom version of DIAL. Can you help me?
:'''A''': There are a number of new versions in the works. The scripts, patches and configuration files used to build DIAL are at https://github.com/N4IRS/AllStar

:'''Q''': I have a question not covered in this FAQ, how do I get an answer?
:'''A''': There is a wealth of information on AllStar Asterisk at http://docs.allstarlink.org/drupal/ There is also a user mail list at http://ohnosec.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/app_rpt-users

:'''Q''': How do I change my network (adapter) setup?
:'''A''': /usr/local/sbin/netsetup

:'''Q''': How do I change my DNS setup?
:'''A''': /etc/resolv.conf

:'''Q''': How do I restart Asterisk?
:'''A''': You will need to stop it and start it.
service asterisk stop
service asterisk start

If it does not stop:
killall -9 asterisk

To see if it's running:
ps ax | grep asterisk

:'''Q''': What are the specific differences between a single node, and a hub, to which can accept many connections?
:'''A''': Any node can be a "HUB". A node is not limited to one connection. There may be hardware limitations about the number of connections a given piece of hardware and internet connection can support. Typically, a HUB is located on a higher bandwidth Internet connection and is running a more "stout" piece of hardware. A HUB usually does not have a node radio connected to it, but there is no reason it can't. A HUB usually runs DAHDI/pseudo for it's rxchannel. This is changed in the rpt.conf file.

:'''Q''': On some x86 and some raspberry pi2's, I have noticed dtmf falsing and would like to recompile app_rpt to set the radio relax feature off to reduce/eliminate the false dtmf tones that get decoded from voice transmissions.
:'''A''': Here's how to recompile with RADIO_RELAX off in DIAL.
Stop asterisk:
service asterisk stop

Verify asterisk is stopped:
ps ax | grep asterisk If you see /usr/sbin/asterisk it is not stopped
killall -9 asterisk
ps ax | grep asterisk If you see /usr/sbin/asterisk it is not stopped

Change compiler setting:
cd /usr/src/astsrc-1.4.23-pre/asterisk
make menuselect
select 10. Compiler Flags
select 6. RADIO_RELAX set to off
x
make
make install

service asterisk start

:'''Q''': I exited the firsttime script for setting up a DIAL system, and would now like to run it. How is this accomplished?
:'''A''': Do the following:
touch /etc/asterisk/firsttime
/usr/local/sbin/firsttime