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DSTAR/DMR HOTSPOTS. Presented by:. Mike Peterson – K7VTT and Gary Schmitz – KT7AZ. Current OVARC and Affiliated Repeaters. SaddleBrooke DSTAR 445.7375- W7NFL. Golder Ranch FM * 147.32+ W7AI. Marana FM * 447.525- W7AI. OV Main DSTAR 445.800- W7AI. OV Main FM * 444.100+ W7AI.
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DSTAR/DMR HOTSPOTS Presented by: Mike Peterson – K7VTT and Gary Schmitz – KT7AZ
Current OVARC and Affiliated Repeaters SaddleBrooke DSTAR 445.7375- W7NFL Golder Ranch FM * 147.32+ W7AI Marana FM * 447.525- W7AI OV Main DSTAR 445.800- W7AI OV Main FM * 444.100+ W7AI Foothills Digital 445.1375- KG7PJV Tucson Mtns Digital 444.750+ W7NFL Tucson East Digital 440.7625+ KG7RWN Keystone FM 146.62- W7AI Down Yonder near Sahuarita
Digital HotSpot Modes • Both Designs will work with all four Digital Modes – • DSTAR • DMR • C4FM (Yaesu’s “System Fusion”) • P25
Raspberry Pi Computer • Microcomputer, single board design. Early models used standard-size SD card with various versions of Linux-based operating system/software installed. Later versions use smaller Micro SD cards. Most popular OS variant is “Raspbian” (a Linux variant) • Computer is powered through Micro-USB connector, and has HDMI or Mini-HDMI port for connecting monitors, Ethernet and/or WiFi networking, plus four USB 2.0 ports. Later models also have a dedicated video port for connecting mini-OLED displays
Raspberry Pi Computer “Kit” • “Vilros” Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Kit w/Quad-Core 1.2 GHz Arm Processor, 1 GB RAM, on-board WiFi and Bluetooth Connectivity • 2.5 Amp USB Power Supply with Micro USB Cable and Noise Filter • Including Heat Sinks and Clear Case, for approx. $45 complete on Amazon Prime
DVMEGA-Based • For use with any “standard” Raspberry Pi model of computer, Pi-2 through Pi 3B (tested and verified with Pi-Star software) • Dual-Band DVMEGA board plugs in to GPIO connector on Raspberry Pi computer • RPi is connected to network for configuration via built-in Ethernet port, or a USB WiFi “dongle” (Newer models starting with the Pi 3 have a built-in WiFi chip) • Software/OS used is optimized for Ham HotSpot use, it’s called “Pi-Star”. Can be configured by attaching a monitor via HDMI, USB keyboard and mouse to the RPi, or via network connection using “SSH” from a web browser • Can be powered via a “wall wart” power adapter at home QTH, or rechargeable battery pack via Pi’s USB Micro power port for mobile use (with cellular connection like a Verizon “Jetpack”)
Dual –Band DVMEGA • Approx. $169 on Gigaparts.com • Dual-Band UHF/VHF, antenna connector is SMA female
DVMEGA/Pi HotSpot • Dual-Band DVMEGA on Raspberry Pi 2B • USB fan and WiFi adapter connected to USB ports
DVMEGA/Pi HotSpot Pics Top Removed – DVMEGA plugged in to RPi 2B’s 40 pin GPIO Header Connector Bottom of RPi 2B (Note Micro SD Card Slot)
Pi 3B GPIO Connector • 40 Pins, includes power and data
Raspberry Pi 3 & later • Same form factor as original Raspberry Pi board • 40-pin GPIO connector (header) • Micro SD Card Slot for running OS and software • Pi 3 and later include WiFi and Bluetooth chips on board – USB WiFi adapters can still be used
Raspberry Pi 3B Specs • Quad Core 1.2GHz Broadcom BCM2837 64bit CPU • 1GB RAM • BCM43438 wireless LAN and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) on board • 40-pin extended GPIO • 4 USB 2 ports • 4 Pole stereo output and composite video port • Full size HDMI (Video) Port • CSI camera port for connecting a Raspberry Pi camera • DSI display port for connecting a Raspberry Pi touchscreen display • Micro SD card slot for loading your operating system and storing data • Upgraded switched Micro USB power source up to 2.5A
ZumSPOT/Jumbospot-Based • For use with Raspberry Pi Zero model of microcomputer • Dual-Band ZumSPOT/Jumbospot board plugs in to GPIO connector on Raspberry Pi Zero computer • Raspberry Pi is connected to network for configuration via built-in WiFi chip • Uses same Pi-Star software as full-size RPi. Can be configured by attaching a monitor via Mini-HDMI, USB keyboard and mouse to the RPi via micro USB, or via network connection using “SSH” from a web browser • Can be powered via a “wall wart” power adapter at home QTH, or rechargeable battery pack, via Pi’s USB Micro power port for mobile use (with a cellular connection like a Verizon “Jetpack”), same as DVMEGA-based variant
Raspberry Pi Zero W • Smallest Raspberry Pi to date • “W” version includes WiFi chip • Low power consumption, low heat operation • Perfect for mobile HotSpot use • Comes with 40 pin GPIO header, same as full size RPi’s • Micro SD card slot, Mini-HDMI, 2 USB Micro ports (1 for power) • Approx. $35 from several vendors, including Amazon.com (Pi Zero W “H” from Adafruit.com has header connector already soldered on)
Raspberry Pi Zero W Specs • 1GHz, single-core CPU • 512MB RAM • Mini HDMI and “USB On-The-Go” ports • Micro USB power • HAT-compatible 40-pin header • Composite video and reset headers • CSI camera connector • 802.11 b/g/n wireless LAN • Bluetooth 4.1 • Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
ZumSPOT/JumboSpot • Dual-Band MMDVM modems designed to connect to any Raspberry Pi, but form factor is the same small size as a Raspberry Pi Zero • Both have SMA female antenna connector, “header” connector for attaching to RPi Zero’s (40-pin) GPIO connector, and include a stubby antenna • ZumSPOT out of production but may be re-introduced if new manufacturer can be found • JumboSpots sell on eBay for as little as $40. Kits with case, antenna and mini OLED display available from AliExpress.com for $65 – just add RPi Zero W (about $35)
AliExpress JumboSpot “KIT” • Available in Black or Silver, Dual Band (VHF/UHF) • Includes aluminum case, stubby antenna, OLED display • Approx. $65
RPi Zero W/Zumspot Combo SMA Antenna Connector, Micro SD Card ZumSPOT on top of Raspberry Pi Zero W Mini-HDMI, USB Data, USB Power
Pi-Star Software • Customized subset of Raspbian (Linux) operating system developed by Andy Taylor (MWØMWZ) for Raspberry Pi HotSpots • Free download • Access from any web browser • Has configuration sections for all four digital modes (DSTAR, DMR, C4FM, P25) • Can also be used to view/monitor current Ham Call Signs connected on each mode • Also shows stats on RPi in use, including Firmware version and operating temperature, etc. • More info at www.pistar.UK
Brandmeister Network • What is BrandMeister? • BrandMaster/BrandMeister is operating software for Master servers participating in a worldwide infrastructure network of amateur radio digital voice systems. • Amateur radio operators working in digital voice modes like D-Star, DMR, C4FM, P25 or others (yet to be implemented) will want to use Brandmeister. • A brief overview of BrandMeister core features: • Switching system for IP-enabled conventional Tier-2 DMR radio • Supports the most known network-access and end-user equipment making it easily expandable • Performs switching on the Layer 3 (Call Control) of the DMR stack • Has an embedded data stack (Layer 4) • Has embedded data and voice applications • Flexible routing based on data stored in a global database, local memory cache, and Lua scripts (Lua = “Moon” in Portuguese – Name of Embedded Scripting Software Language) • Event notification using messaging queues (calls, connections, alarms, messages, locations and telemetry) • Allows one to build their own network based on mesh technology
Brandmeister Network • BrandMeister allows you to connect to MOTOROLADMR-MARC and Hytera DMRplus networks. This means you can operate with other DMR amateur radio operators on both infrastructures at the same time. • BrandMeister allows me to… • Roam automatically from repeater to repeater • Make private QSOs on any time-slot • Make world-wide QSOs with any type of amateur DMR network • Send my location to APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System) • Send and receive SMS messages • Send and receive SMS messages to or from APRS • Control some electric “thing” using my DMR radio as a remote control device • Brandmeister allows one to Login and monitor actual voice audio of QSOs in progress on DMR “Talk Groups” via a web browser, using the “Hose Line” feature!
Brandmeister Network • Examples of some Amateur Radio usage applications: • D-STAR D-Extra to talking group gateway • D-STAR G2 call routing to private call gateway • APRS position and telemetry reporting • APRS text message gateway • AMPR access service (Amateur or Adaptive Multi-Port Routing) • Gateway for EchoLink or any other IP-based PTT applications • Brandmeister is in the process of implementing a mesh-based distributed network storage which will allow all network servers to be equivalent nodes. • This is a prerequisite to maintain high availability of the network and will help keep the infrastructure more resistant to a temporary or permanent loss of single nodes. • For more detailed information, refer to the Brandmeister “Wiki” page: • https://wiki.brandmeister.network/index.php/What_is_BrandMeister
So Where Do I Start? • Order a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B computer. • “Vilros” Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Kit, includes a 2.5 Amp USB Power Supply with Micro USB Cable and Noise Filter, Heat Sinks & Clear Case, for approx. $45 on Amazon.com: • https://www.amazon.com/Vilros-Raspberry-Clear-Power-Supply/dp/B01D92SSX6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1525210798&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=vilros+raspberry+pi+3&psc=1 • Order an 8Gig SD Card, Maybe two. $12 each on Amazon.com: • https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-MicroSDHC-Standard-Packaging-SDSDQUAN-008G-G4A/dp/B00M55C0VU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1525198810&sr=1-1&keywords=8+gig+micro+sd+card • Order a DVMega (Radio Hat) UHF/VHF version: $169 at Gigaparts.com • https://www.gigaparts.com/dv-mega-dual-band-radio-raspberry-pi.html
Where Do I Start? (continued) Download the Pi-Star software image $Free https://www.pistar.uk/downloads/ (download the image named PI_Star_RPI) Download and install a Disk Imaging tool. $Free. Install on your PC, this program then copies the Pi-Star software image to the SD card you will install in your Raspberry Pi: Etcher: https://etcher.io or Win32DiskImager: https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/files/latest/download (For Mac, try “ApplePi Baker”$Free): https://www.tweaking4all.com/?wpfb_dl=94 There are other ways to build your own HotSpot using different Pi's and Radio Pi-Hats, etc. You may also want to look around for cases that will allow you to add a Hat. Many accessories are on Amazon.com. Talk to some of the Elmers listed below to get started. We are usually at The Views Restaurant on Ranch Vistoso Blvd every Saturday morning for breakfast.
Questions?/Credits Thank You! – Mike Peterson (K7VTT) • Credit/Thanks to the following “Elmers” who helped/inspired me: Gary Schmitz (KT7AZ) Howard Chorost (KC7AC) Jim Brown (W5ZIT) David Beauchesne (AK2L) 73’s!