To build an ALLSTAR NODE, the three components required are the:
(1) Computer (Raspberry Pi)
(2) Interfacing Device (USB Sound FOB)
(3) Radio Transceiver (UHF transceiver)
I build my ALLSTAR NODES using a RasberryPI computer, a USB Sound FOB, and the Baofeng 888 handheld
transceiver, which have all been
purchased through Amazon. The 888 radio is relatively
simple to modify and
the latest version (circa 2018) leaves room in the bottom of the radio
for the USB Sound FOB
interface. Placing the USB Sound FOB in the bottom of the 888 radio
makes for a compact and clean system. The photo is showing the first
step of building one of my ALLSTAR node; taking apart the Baofeng 888
transceiver to access the internal circuit board.
Once the Baofeng circuit board is revealed, modification of the
circuit board includes:
(1) removing the internal microphone
(2) identifying the audio lines for the receiver audio output and the
transmit microphone audio input
(3) accessing the control lines for the receiver COR and the transmitter PTT
(4) locate the radio ground
All of these connections are required to interface the Baofeng 888 transceiver to the USB Sound FOB.
The USB Sound FOB is essentially the interfacing unit that ties the
Baofeng 888 transceiver to the computer (RaspberryPI). In order to ready the USB
Sound FOB for this purpose, the FOB requires modification-- additional components
are required (transistors and resistors):
(1) Must locate the PTT line (ic chip pin 13, red wire).
(2) Must locate the COR line (ic chip pin 48, green wire)
(3) Access the output audio line (green speaker output to radio mic input)
(4) Access the input audio line (pink microphone input to radio receiver output)
(5) Find the ground connection (common, black wire)
These photos show the modified USB Sound FOB prior to being installed inside the
Baofeng 888 radio transceiver.
This photo shows the modified Baofeng 888 transceiver with the modified USB Sound
FOB installed in the bottom of the radio case. The USB Sound FOB is held into place
using hot glue. The Baofeng 888 transceiver is no longer a functioning HT, but now has
been transformed into the dedicated UHF Node Transceiver.