W2YMM Allstar Setup

These were some of the steps I took to setup my Allstar link node/server and some of the modifications that I did to it.

These are the steps to build your first node. Be sure to read through all the links on the Allstar (https://allstarlink.org/) site BEFORE you login. Because after login the menu changes and much (if not all) of the basic information goes away.

In order to become a member of the AllStar Link Network, you must first Register to become user of the Portal system. To qualify for membership, you must be a holder of a valid Amateur Radio license.

Buy a URI (recommended) or a cheap USB sound FOB. Conversion Articles
Go on the Allstar web site. Request an ID, get it approved.
While you're waiting for your ID to get approved, open port 4569 on your router and point it to the IP that will be your node. Also download the ACID iso and burn a CD.
Once approved make your ID a sysOp, add a server, request one or more nodes.
Configure the server and assigned node(s).
Boot the CD and carefully follow the prompts. During the install you'll download the web configuration to your node.

There is alot of good doccumented information here http://docs.allstarlink.org/drupal/

Set Up IAXRPT Access TEST PAGE ALLSTAR STATUS

Note I am now using the Raspberry Pi II B+ computers

See http://www.crompton.com/hamradio/BeagleBoneBlackAllstar/ for more info

Changing the SSH Port

cd /etc/ssh

nano sshd_config

Change to the desired port number

Use Control-O to save the file and then Control-X to exit the nano editor.

I then issued the shutdown -r now command for changes to take effect.

Don't forget to change the port forwarding in your router to reflect the new port that needs to be forwarded to your node computer.

Changing Port for LS Nodes

nano /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf

Change Listen Port if needed.

systemctl restart httpd

Wiring my Maxtrac to the URI

Radius/Maxtrac series with 16 pin accessory

connector - Simplex - Processed audio

URI 20 - Radius 7 GROUND

URI 21 - Radius 11 RX AUDIO

URI 22 - Radius 2 MIC AUDIO

URI 1 - Radius 3 PTT

URI 8 - Radius 8 (COR/CTCSS Det.)

Radius Must be programmed to output COR/CTCSS det. on

pin 8 of accessory connector, and JU551 in position 'B'

(de-emphasized audio out).

I use Simple usb for the audio.

I needed to change...

carrierfrom=usb ; no,usb,usbinvert

; no - no carrier detection at all

; usb - from the COR line on the URI

; usbinvert - from the inverted COR line on the modified USB sound fob

Some useful commands to know

Restart asterisk by typing: astres.sh at the linux command line.

Enter asterisk commands type "asterisk -r" at the command line.

node status : "rpt stats node#"

There are several helper scripts which are executable from anywhere.

The table below explains the purpose of each script:

Script Name Purpose

astdn.sh Shuts down Asterisk

astres.sh Restarts Asterisk. Use to fore a reload of all configuration files.

astup.sh Starts up Asterisk

nodesetup.sh Allows the Allstar node number, node number password, and identification message to be set on a single node system.

nscheck.sh Diagnostic tool. Reports back which Allstar link node servers are up, and optionally the node data for a specific node or IP address.

restore.sh Restores the Asterisk config files, and node name sound files in the /tmp directory

radio-tune-menu List of radio tune functions

simpleusb-tune-menu Setup Simple usb audio

systemctl restart httpd Restarts httpd when changing ports for ls nodes

asterisk -rvvvvv Starts the Asterisk CLI>

W2YMM

long island ny

Adding Autopatch to the system

This is for making outbound telephone calls from a mobile or portable radio.

I started out using the Autopatch service hosted by allstarlink.org for $5.00 per month and quickly realized

that it will not be getting much use. I looked into how to do it cheaper and this was my results.

I found a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) service called voipvoip.com

There is no setup fees or monthly charges. It is pay as you go.

You can buy a $10.00 credit to apply toward your account and calls are

1.9 cents a minute calls to anywhere in the USA.

Setup was straight forward, and I have included a sample of the lines i edited on my node below.

Additional information I found helpful was on:

http://ohnosec.org/drupal/node/63

Note Upon upgrading to BBB Version 1.2.1, the Autopatch stopped working.

I found that I needed to edit the

/etc/asterisk/modules.conf and had to comment out the line:

;noload=chan_sip.so

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In rpt.conf

In the Node Stanza I added the line:

[1998] ; Your assigned node number

context=voipvoip ; Autopatch addon ; This is towards the bottom of the node stanza

Then further down in the code I added:

6=autopatchup,context=voipvoip,noct=1,farenddisconnect=1,dialtime=20000,quiet=1 ; Autopatch up

0=autopatchdn ; Autopatch down

I commented out the line

;6=autopatchup,context=pbx_server,noct=1,farenddisconnect=1,dialtime=20000,quiet=1 ; Autopatch up

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

extensions.conf

[voipvoip]

exten => _1NXXNXXXXXX,1,Dial,SIP/voipvoip/${EXTEN} ;This specifies a Sip call through voipvoip

exten => _1NXXNXXXXXX,2,Congestion

and I commented out the lines :

;[pstn-out]

;exten=_NXXNXXXXXX,1,playback(ss-noservice)

;exten=_NXXNXXXXXX,2,Congestion

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

sip.conf

; SIP Configuration example for Asterisk

;

[general]

context=default ; Default context for incoming calls

allowoverlap=no ; Disable overlap dialing support. (Default is yes)

bindport=5060 ; UDP Port to bind to (SIP standard port is 5060)

bindaddr=0.0.0.0 ; IP address to bind to (0.0.0.0 binds to all)

srvlookup=yes

[voipvoip]

username=XXXXXXXXXX ; (your VoIP VoIP account assigned while signing up)

type=peer

qualify=yes

secret=XXXXXXX ; (your VoIP VoIP password when logging into voipvoip webpage)

nat=auto

insecure=very

host=sip3.voipvoip.com ; Supplied by service provider

fromuser=XXXXXXXXXX ; (your VoIP VoIP account assigned while signing up)

fromdomain=sip3.voipvoip.com ;; Supplied by service provider

callerid = "Autopatch" <00000XXXXX> ; This dosen't seem to work ?

dtmfmode=rfc2833

disallow=all

allow=g729

allow=ilbc

allow=ulaw

allow=alaw

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have no affiliation with the above company, It one one of the companies I found through a google

search that offered a byod sip configuration with no monthly fees.

To make a call, I enter *6 + 1 + Area Code + Phone Number (All at one time, don't leave any pauses)

To end the call enter *0

I have some Macros setup to make calling commonly used numbers easier.

Another company I just found was Callcentric. A friend of mine uses them with good results.

I saw this posted about setting up Autopatch for Callcentric

ALSO Just learned about this company that people are reporting good results https://voip.ms/

COURTESY TONES FOR ALLSTAR

Additional Information can be found at http://docs.allstarlink.org/drupal/node/110

Tone Group

A tone group is a set of 4 comma separated integers formatted as follows:

(frequency1,frequency2,duration,amplitude)

frequency1 and frequency2 must be a number between 0 and 3000. These specify the tone frequency in Hz.

duration is the tone on time in Milliseconds. amplitude is the relative volume level of the tone or tones. This can be from 0 to 8192.

A tone group consisting of zeroes for amplitude and frequency will be sent as a silent period.

A single frequency tone can be sent by setting frequency2 to zero.

Note: There must be no spaces between the commas, numbers, or the parenthesis.

Change the X in ctX=|t to a Number to suit your needs

Example: Beep

Freq 880Hz Duration 100mSec

ct9=|t(1000,0,100,2048) ; BEEP

=========================================================================

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES I HAVE TRIED ON MY NODE

Bumble Bee This is the same as ACC default courtesy tone #1

Program a 640ms delay from squelch closure to 1st tone

Freq 330Hz Duration 100mSec

Freq 495Hz Duration 100mSec (one book had this at 500hz)

Freq 660Hz Duration 100mSec

ctX=|t(0,0,640,0)(330,0,100,2048)(495,0,100,2048)(660,0,100,2048) ; BUMBLE BEE

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ACC default courtesy tone #2 is the same as above except the tone duration is 75ms

Piano Chord This is the same as ACC default courtesy tone #3

640ms delay from squelch closure to 1st tone

Freq 660Hz and 880 Duration 100mSec

ctX=|t(0,0,640,0)(660,880,100,2048) ; PIANO CHORD

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ACC default courtesy tone #8

640ms delay from squelch closure to 1st tone

Freq 660Hz Duration 580mSec

ctX=|t(0,0,640,0)(660,0,580,2048) ; ACC8

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ACC default courtesy tone #9

640ms delay from squelch closure to 1st tone

Freq 660Hz Duration 120mSec

ctX=|t(0,0,640,0)(660,0,580,2048) ; ACC9

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ACC default courtesy tone #10

640ms delay from squelch closure to 1st tone

Freq 660Hz and 250Hz Duration 100mSec

ctX=|t(0,0,640,0)(660,250,100,2048) ; ACC10

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yellow Jacket (a half-as-long Bumble Bee)

Freq 330Hz Duration 50mSec

Freq 495Hz Duration 50mSec (one book had this at 500hz)

Freq 660Hz Duration 50mSec

ctX=|t(0,0,640,0)(330,0,50,2048)(495,0,50,2048)(660,0,50,2048) ; YELLOW JACKET

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shooting Star

Freq 800Hz Duration 100mSec

Freq 540Hz Duration 100mSec

ctX=|t(800,0,100,2048)(800,0,100,2048)(540,0,100,2048) ; SHOOTING STAR

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comet

Freq 500Hz Duration 100mSec

Freq 750Hz Duration 100mSec

ctX=|t(500,0,100,2048)(500,0,100,2048)(750,0,100,2048) ; COMET

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stardust

Freq 750Hz Duration 125mSec

Freq 880Hz Duration 80mSec

880Hz and 1200Hz Duration 80mSec

ctX=|t(750,0,125,2048)(808,0,80,2048)(880,1200,80,2048) ; STARDUST

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hornet (just a Yellow Jacket with the tone sequence reversed)

Freq 660Hz Duration 50mSec

Freq 500Hz Duration 50mSec

Freq 385Hz Duration 50mSec

ctX=|t(0,0,640,0)(660,0,50,2048)(500,0,50,2048)(385,0,50,2048) ; HORNET

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wasp (just a Bumble Bee with the tone sequence reversed)

Same as Hornet but double the duration of each tone

ctX=|t(0,0,640,0)(660,0,100,2048)(500,0,100,2048)(385,0,100,2048) ; WASP

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tumbleweed

Freq 1000Hz Duration 20mSec

Freq 800Hz Duration 20mSec

Freq 600Hz Duration 20mSec

ctX=|t(1000,0,20,2048)(800,0,20,2048)(600,0,20,2048) ; TUMBLE WEED

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fire Fly

Freq 1000Hz and 1200Hz 120mSec

Freq 1200Hz and 1400Hz 80 mSec

Freq 600Hz and 800Hz 100mSec

ctX=|t(1000,1200,120,2048)(1200,1400,80,2048)(600,800,100,2048) ; FIRE FLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chirp-Chomp

Freq 1500Hz 20mSec

Freq 1250Hz 20mSec

Freq 1000Hz 20mSec

Freq 750Hz 20mSec

Freq 500Hz 20mSec

Freq 2550Hz 20mSec

ctX=|t(1500,0,20,2048)(1250,0,20,2048)(1000,0,20,2048)(750,0,20,2048)(500,0,20,2048)(2550,0,20,2048); CHIRPCHOMP

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Moonbounce

Freq 1000Hz and 800Hz 50mSec

Freq 800Hz 50mSec

Freq 600Hz 50mSec

Freq 1500Hz 50mSec

ctX=|t(1000,800,50,2048)(800,0,50,2048)(600,0,50,2048)(1500,0,50,2048) ; MOONBOUNCE

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dunce Cap

Freq 440Hz and 500Hz Duration 200mSec

Freq 440Hz and 350Hz Duration 200mSec

ctX=|t(440,500,200,2048)(440,350,200,2048) ; DUNCE CAP

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uonk (pronounced like "honk" less the "h" sound)

Freq 500Hz and 700 Duration 100mSec

ctX=|t(500,700,100,2048) ; UONK

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beep

Freq 880Hz Duration 100mSec

ctX=|t(1000,0,100,2048) ; BEEP

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boop

Freq 440Hz Duration 100mSec

ctX=|t(440,0,100,2048) ; BOOP

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bloop

Freq 840Hz and 500Hz Duration 100mSec

ctX=|t(840,500,100,2048) ; BLOOP

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doorbell

Freq 800Hz Duration 75mSec

Freq 400Hz Duration 50mSec

ctX=|t(800,0,75,2048)(400,50,50,2048) ; DOORBELL

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Descending

Freq 1000Hz 50mSec

Freq 750Hz 50mSec

Freq 500Hz 50mSec

ctX=|t(1000,0,50,2048)(750,0,50,2048)(500,0,50,2048) ; DESCENDING

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ascending

Freq 500Hz 50mSec

Freq 750Hz 50mSec

Freq 1000Hz 50mSec

ctX=|t(500,0,50,2048)(750,0,50,2048)(1000,0,50,2048) ; ASCENDING

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Beeps:

Nextel beep

Freq 1760Hz Duration 30mSec

30ms gap

Freq 1760Hz Duration 30mSec

30ms gap

Freq 1760Hz Duration 30mSec

ctX=|t(1760,0,30,2048)(0,0,30,0)(1760,0,30,2048)(0,0,30,0)(1760,0,30,2048) ; NEXTEL

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Function Complete

Freq 480 and 1200Hz for 40ms

40ms gap

Freq 480 and 1200Hz for 40ms

ctX=|t(480,1200,40,2048)(0,0,40,0)(480,1200,40,2048) ; FUNCTION COMPLETE 1

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another function complete

Freq 900 for 60ms

60ms gap

Freq 900 for 60ms

ctX=|t(900,0,60,2048)(0,0,60,0)(900,0,60,2048) ; FUNCTION COMPLETE 2

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NASA "Over" beep

Freq 2450Hz for 200ms

Note that the beep used in the movie "Apollo 13" was 2500 Hz just to be different, and for 100ms just to speed the movie up.

ctX=|t(2450,0,200,2048) or ctX=|t(2500,0,100,2048) ; NASA OVER

Motorola tone remote

2,175 Hz and is 100-300 millisecond 2nd tone is 1,950 Hz.

ctX=|t(2175,0,200,2048)(1950,0,175,2048) ; TONE REMOTE 1

ct12=|t(2175,0,75,2048)(1950,0,50,2048);TONE REMOTE SHORT

---------------------------------------------------------------------

MORSE CODE

ctX=|ik ; Sends morse code K as Courtesy tone

___________________________________________

Tones in use on my node

[telemetry]

ct1=|t(350,0,100,2048)(500,0,100,2048)(660,0,100,2048)

ct2=|t(660,880,150,2048)

ct3=|t(440,0,150,4096)

ct4=|t(550,0,150,2048)

ct5=|t(660,0,150,2048)

ct6=|t(880,0,150,2048)

ct7=|t(660,440,150,2048)

ct8=|t(700,1100,150,2048)

ct12=|t(2175,0,75,2048)(1950,0,50,2048);TONE REMOTE SHORT

remotetx=|t(1633,0,50,3000)(0,0,80,0)(1209,0,50,3000)

remotemon=|t(1209,0,50,2048)

cmdmode=|t(900,903,200,2048)

functcomplete=|t(1000,0,100,2048)(0,0,100,0)(1000,0,100,2048)

patchup=rpt/callproceeding

patchdown=rpt/callterminated

unlinkedct=ct1 ; local off-link tone

remotect=ct3 ; remote base connected tone

linkunkeyct=ct8 ; remote on-link tone

Configuring a SIP phone on my network ..........UNDER CONSTRUCTION..........

While researching how to configure the autopatch on my node I saw various Youtube videos where people had a SIP phone

connected directly to there network to access their nodes by just dialing their node number.

Here is what I found out...

I think this method is what is referred to as Reverse Autopatch ???

One video I saw, they used a POLYCOM SoundPoint IP 331.

They sell on the used market for about $10.00.

As of 4/10/15 I now have this feature working :-)

Setup was fairly straight forward.

An entry needed to be added to sip.conf and extensions.conf

The phone needed to be configured, and that was accomplished through

the web based portal using the local ip address of the phone.

My only initial problem was with the actual phone.

I did not have the admin password, so I was unable to reset it to

the default values.

After some extensive online research I was able to figure out how to

install new firmware into the device and actually do an update.

This restored it back to factory settings.

Now I can just dial the extension that I configured and gain access

to my node from my desktop sip phone. Very handy feature.

snippet from my sip.conf === >

snippet from my extensions.conf === >

Configuring Echolink on my Allstar Raspberry Pi node

This is how I configured Echolink on my Raspberry Pi Allstar server.

My node is based on the image from http://www.crompton.com/hamradio/BeagleBoneBlackAllstar/

Additional information was obtained from

echolink.conf - Setting up Echolink Connectivity

You will need to rename echolink.xxx to echolink.conf in etc/asterisk

You obviously need a valid echolink node number, call, and matching password that you put in echolink.conf

You need to setup port forwarding in your router for the two echolink ports to the IP address of you node 5198 and 5199 UDP.

You need to be aware that you can only run one echolink node per public IP.

So you can't run echolink on a PC on your same network unless you use a proxy.

You could run it on a smartphone using cell provided internet for local testing.

Then restart Asterisk or reboot. astres.sh or reboot

If echolink is running properly you will have an echolink command in the Asterisk client and be able to see the database there.

asterisk -rvvv

CLI>echolink dbdump

long list.....

Added to rpt.conf in the node stanza

erxgain=-3 ;Echolink receive gain adjustment in +/- db-volts. Used to balance Echolink recieve audio on an app_rpt node.

etxgain=3 ;Echolink transmit gain adjustment in +/- db-volts. Used to balance Echolink transmit audio on an app_rpt node.

eannmode=2

; 0 = do not announce Echolink nodes at all

; 1 = Say only node number on EchoLink connects

; 2 = say phonetic call sign only on EchoLink connects

; 3 = say phonetic call sign and node number on EchoLink connects

etc/asterisk/echolink.conf (Sample of my configuration)

[el0]

confmode=no

call=MY CALLSIGN -L ; Change this! Registered Callsign -L or -R

pwd=My Password ; Change this! Registered Password

name=My Name ; Change this to your real name!

qth=Location ; Change this to your actual QTH!

email=My Email address ; Change this! Valid Email address

maxstns=20 ; Maximum number of station that can connect to you

rtcptimeout=10

node=00000 ; Change this! Echolink Node Number

recfile=/tmp/recorded.gsm

astnode=XXXXX ; Change this to your active Allstar node number!

context=radio-secure

server1=oceania.echolink.org

server2=server2.echolink.org

server3=server3.echolink.org

naeast.echolink.org

nasouth.echolink.org

;servers.echolink.org

;backup.echolink.org

; Change The following setting to your parameters

;THIS IS FOR THE ECHOLINK STATUS PAGE

freq=145.400 ; Freq in MHz

tone=100.0 ; CTCSS Tone (0 for none)

lat=40.7012345

lon=-73.223457

power=9 ;0=0W, 1=1W, 2=4W, 3=9W, 4=16W, 5=25W, 6=36W, 7=49W, 8=64W, 9=81W (Power in Watts)

height=3 ;0=10' ,1=20',2=40',3=80' ,4=160' ,5=320' ,6=640' ,7=1280',8=2560',9=5120' (AMSL in Feet)

gain=6 ;Gain in db (0-9)

dir=0 ;0=omni,(Direction)

;deny=

;permit=

CRON JOB FOR AUTO CONNECT AND DISCONNECT

I needed to have my node automatically disconnect from any connected nodes before

a weekly net on Monday nights.

Here is my cron example:

type crontab -e

# Disconnect node 28183 at 19:55 Monday

55 19 * * 1 /usr/sbin/asterisk -rx "rpt fun 28183 *76"

# Connect to *AB2M* ECHOLINK conference Mondays as 19:56

56 19 * * 1 /usr/sbin/asterisk -rx "rpt fun 28183 *33088953"

# Disconnect node 28183 at 2230 Monday

30 22 * * 1 /usr/sbin/asterisk -rx "rpt fun 28183 *76"

Note, I first changed my cron editor to nano

The command is: export EDITOR=nano

You should only need to do this once to set the default editor

Confirm the new cron is created by typing

crontab -l (crontab space dash lower case L)

Echolink Link Status Page

Echolink Current Logins

To deny w6xxx you would add the statement: deny=w6xxx

To prohibit computer-based connections you would write: permit=*-*

To allow access to only a select group of callsigns: permit=w6abc,w6def,...

Custom connect messages

Create a .ulaw sound file 12345.ulaw for example

Store in var/lib/asterisk/sounds/rpt/nodenames

Dynamic Update Client

I was trying to log into a friends Allstar node, but his IP address changed since the last time. Trying to figure it out took too long so I looked into a dynamic ip solution that I could name. After doing this I discovered this feature is already built in.

Here are what I tried first, Followed by the current way I'm doing it.

For updating your nodes ip address to a DNS service

https://www.noip.com/download?page=linux

This is the built in one.

You can access your node remotely without having to know the actual ip address

by using the following address Plus your port number

<NODE>.asnode.org:<PORT>

Creating A Hub Server

I wanted to create a Hub server to connect a few of my nodes to

There are only 2 files to modify.

I had extra BBB computers, So why not.....

rpt.conf add

[12345] ; Change this to your assigned node number

;rxchannel = SimpleUSB/usb (Comment this line out)

rxchannel=dahdi/pseudo

modules.conf add

noload=chan_simpleusb.so

Then restart asterisk

astres.sh

and you should be good to go

9/2016

I just ordered the Repeater Builder

Low cost Interface device

USB RIM LITE for the Maxtrac

available here

Are you using the Hamvoip version and want to disable the hourly time announcements ?

You'll need to log in to your node

Select option 9 to bring up the Bash shell interface

type crontab -e

and put a # in front of the command (Comment it out)

#00 0-23 * * * (source /usr/local/etc/allstar.env ; /usr/bin/nice -19 /usr/bin/perl /usr/local/sbin/saytime.pl $NODE1 > /dev/null)

You could also change when the announcements are played by changing the hours and minutes

Additional tweaks

00 0-23 * * * (source /usr/local/etc/allstar.env ; /usr/bin/nice -19 /usr/bin/perl /usr/local/sbin/saytime.pl 11795 $NODE1 > /dev/null)

In this 2nd example I have added my Zip code 11795 and the script will play the current weather condition and temperature.

You could also use your local airport designator as well ie JFK

Additional info here

Note, VOIPVOIP does not seem to be working for me anymore.

I have VOIP.MS working and will update this info soon.

New info using voip.ms in pdf format

Website update soon