ALLSTAR DATV TALKBACK NODE 47572

[G8KOE]

When working through QO100 found it’s so easy to have a TX problem or forget to switch on your microphone.
Yes there is the Wideband Chat but not easy to always keep an eye on it when operating your station.
On the BATC net last Thursday changed scenes in OBS and had no audio hadn’t realized but a station quickly called on Allstar Node 47572 to inform me.
With Allstar you can set it up on a Raspberry Pi and make your own node and use your FM radio for good quality audio.
To get started you need to register and get a node number at “www.allstarlink.org” this is free.
On YouTube search for AllStarLink ASL Version 3 RELEASE by Ham Radio Crusader.
This is an excellent video and explains setting up ASL 3 which is what I use.
I had a contact with Peter G1OAR who had just finished his 888 node with excellent results.
73’s
Martin
G8KOE

[Basil]

So basically is this Allstar voice over IP? Using local nodes? It's not purely RF, it goes through the cellular network?

[g0mjw]

No. Goes through the internet. Locally FM.

[Basil]

Ahh, I have seen Martin using and promoting it, I must make time to read up about it, at the moment it's a mystery. Thanks Mike.

[g0mjw]

It seems to work quite well, you just have to set up a local node. The question is can we set up local nodes that are reachable from hilltop contest sites? I suspect we could, but it would need planning and might end up unworkable. The problem is the same as with microwave operations, the DATV (or microwaves) often propagate better than the talkback does, that is, unless you are prepared to take out a large beam and use significant power for 144.750 MHz. Most people, not all, tend to operate at local high spots not too far from home. It is possible perhaps to set up a hotspot at home you can access from the local hill.

If not, there are gateways but as we all know, mobile coverage is often very poor on the top of hills, I suspect because of the mutual interference issues between base stations sharing channels. Effectively you are line of sight to many base stations but the network topology assumes you are not.

The same issue may appear with Allstar, if everyone uses the same channel, so that needs some planning. We can't use or link local repeaters because these are largely local repeaters for local people to chat on, who won't want to hear DATV/microwave activity day traffic.

Mike

[Pa3fbx]

So basically is this Allstar voice over IP? Using local nodes? It's not purely RF, it goes through the cellular network?

Well Mike say no but i say yes..
Like any cellular network goes over the internet, using an allstar hotspot connected to you mobile hotspot you can use your cheap fm handheld trx to connect any node.
I suggest to add it to the (D)ATV repeater sites as most of them already have a stream going.

I have made a good investment buying a hotspot from the US but now i am cooking some simple USB device you can connect to a raspberry3 or better and connect the other side directly into any baofeng or other cheap handy. (no mod needed.)
If things go well it should be under 25 euro on parts. But its still under development. There is a cheap 5 euro solution but it needs severe soldering and molding.
You always need a raspberry and SD card next to a allstar registration.

Benno

[Pa3fbx]

First test works, so i prepaired a PCB for production at JLC.

It should be multi usable depending on the transceiver. I even added 2 audio connectors to use staight forward connection to baofeng or some other handy's..

Now i need to wait for a shipment.

benno

[VK3IE]

Benno
Well done
looking forward to the finished product

Robert
VK3IE

[G8KOE]

Benno,
I can't keep up with the speed you do things.
Looks excellent

Martin

[g8gtz]

Interesting topic but....

It doesn't solve the problem of reliable talkback when out operating portable (same problem exists for microwaves).

For this we need a solution that does NOT need a reliable 4G signal to provide the internet connection - this is a major (impossible to solve) problem when operating from a hilltop and prevents Zello, Whatsapp, Dxspot and ON4KST from working reliably.

One possible answer that I have been musing over is the use of the 70cms DMR repeater network to provide a way to access an agreed Microave / TV talkback talkgroup - As a result of attending a lecture at the RSGB convention I have even splashed out on a £42 DMR handset (Baufeng DM1701).

However it seems there is not one flavour of DMR repeater and different network have different policies on setting up access to different talkgroups.

So if Allstar can fix this one, then it's a winner!! In the meantime I'll keep investigating as I do think it could be the answer to solving the talkback problem....

Noel